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Duloxetine-mirtazapine combination in depressive illness: The case for Limerick ‘rocket fuel’

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

David Meagher ,
Noel Hannan  and
Maeve Leonard
David Meagher
Affiliation:
Department of Adult Psychiatry, Midwestern Regional Hospital, Limerick, Ireland
Noel Hannan
Affiliation:
Department of Adult Psychiatry, Midwestern Regional Hospital, Limerick, Ireland
Maeve Leonard
Affiliation:
Department of Adult Psychiatry, Midwestern Regional Hospital, Limerick, Ireland
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Abstract

The use of complex psychopharmacological regimens is increasingly advocated in more difficult to treat depressive illness. The combination of venlafaxine with mirtazapine – ‘California rocket fuel’ is one such example involving an SNRI combined with a NaSSA. We describe two cases that highlight the potential usefulness of duloxetine used in combination with mirtazapine that also emphasise the danger of drug-induced hypomanic switching. This combination may have a specific role for carefully selected patients but caution is needed given the potential to induce profound alterations in mental state.

Keywords

Duloxetinemirtazapineantidepressantdepressionhypomanic switchcombinationtreatmentadverse effects.
Type
Case Reports
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 23 , Issue 3 , September 2006 , pp. 116 - 118
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006

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