Mirataz Product Information

Mirataz Questions

What conditions does Mirataz treat?
It is a transdermal ointment containing Mirtazipine, a prescription medication for use in cats to stimulate their appetite and so to help them gain weight if they are unwell from chronic disease.

How does Mirataz work?
It contains Mirtazipine, which is an appetite stimulant.

The efficacy of the product was only demonstrated with a 14-day administration corresponding to the current recommendations (see Amounts to be administered and administration route). Repetition of the treatment has not been investigated and as such should only be done after benefit-risk balance assessment by the veterinarian.
The efficacy and safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established in cats weighing less than 2.1 kg or more than 7.0 kg.

How should I administer Mirataz to my pet?

It is administered trans dermally, by applying to the ear pinna (inner surface of the ear) once daily for 14 days, according to the dose prescribed by your vet.

You should wear impermeable gloves, twist the cap anticlockwise to open it, apply even pressure on the tube and squeeze a line onto your finger of the dose prescribed, then gently rub it onto the inside of your cat’s ear, spreading it evenly over the surface.

If contact with your skin occurs wash it off with soap and water.

Alternate left and right ears.

The veterinary medicinal product should not be applied on damaged skin.

Limited data are available on the reproductive toxicity of mirtazapine. Given that pregnant women are considered a more sensitive population, it is recommended that pregnant women or women trying to conceive should avoid handling the product and avoid contact with treated animals throughout the treatment period.

Do not leave the tube out of its child resistant container except during the application phase.

Children must not be present when applying the treatment to the cat.

What is the correct dosage of Mirataz for my animal's weight and species?

The correct dose for your animal is as prescribed by your vet. Your vet will follow the data sheet for the medication prescribed and for some medications will adjust this taking into consideration your animal's medical history.

How long should I continue with Mirataz for?

You should continue for the length of time your vet prescribed the medication for. Please read the label your vet has attached to the medication. If you suspect that your pet may be having an adverse reaction to a medication, please contact your vet for advice on continuing the medication.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Mirataz?

If you miss a dose of medication, please contact your vet for advice on when to give the next dose.

Where can I buy Mirataz?

You can purchase Mirataz cheaper than from your Vet Practice from www.vets4u.uk. To contact vets4u.uk, call us on +44 116 218 4244 between 09:30am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday, chat to us directly or email us at mail@vets4u.uk

Does Mirataz need a prescription?

Yes, as it is classified as a POM-V.

How can I buy Mirataz from Vets4u?

You can buy Mirataz via our website via a valid prescription by adding to the basket on our website www.vets4u.uk.

Manufacturer’s Link to Mirataz

Dechra Mirataz

NOAH Compendium Datasheet Link to Mirataz

Mirataz Datasheet

What is Mirataz?

It is a transdermal ointment containing Mirtazipine, a prescription medication for use in cats to stimulate their appetite if they are unwell from chronic disease.

What is Mirataz used for in cats?

To increase appetite and so help weight gain in cats with chronic medical conditions, which have resulted in weight loss.

How long does Mirataz take to work?

After 14 days most cats will have put weight on. You may notice an increase in appetite after a day of treatment

How fast does Mirataz work in cats?

A noticeable change in appetite can sometimes be seen in a day but weight gain has been shown to increase over a 2-week period.

Can Mirataz be used for dogs?

It is licensed for cats.

Can Mirataz cause diarrhoea in cats?

This isn’t listed as an adverse reaction in the product datasheet.

Does Mirataz help nausea?

No, it is an appetite stimulant.

Is Mirataz harmful to humans?

The product can be absorbed via the cutaneous or oral route and can cause drowsiness or sedation.

Avoid direct contact with the product. Avoid contact with the treated animal for the first 12 hours after each daily application and until the application site is dry. It is therefore recommended to treat the animal in the evening. Treated animals should not be allowed to sleep with owners, especially children and pregnant women during all the period of the treatment.

Impermeable disposable protective gloves should be provided at the point of sale with the product and must be worn when handling and administering the veterinary medicinal product.

Thoroughly wash hands immediately after administration of the veterinary medicinal product or in case of skin contact with the product or the treated cat.

Limited data are available on the reproductive toxicity of mirtazapine. Given that pregnant women are considered a more sensitive population, it is recommended that pregnant women or women trying to conceive should avoid handling the product and avoid contact with treated animals throughout the treatment period.

The product may be harmful after ingestion.

Do not leave the tube out of its child resistant container except during the application phase. Children must not be present when applying the treatment to the cat.

The tube must be placed in the child resistant container after application, which must be closed immediately.

Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling the veterinary medicinal product.

The veterinary medicinal product is a skin sensitiser. People with known hypersensitivity to mirtazapine should not handle the veterinary medicinal product.

This veterinary medicinal product may cause eye and skin irritation. Avoid hand to mouth and hand to eye contact until hands have been thoroughly washed. In the case of contact with eyes, rinse the eyes thoroughly with clean water. In the case of contact with the skin, wash thoroughly with soap and warm water. If skin or eye irritation occurs or in case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the label to the physician.

What does Mirataz do for cats?

It makes them feel hungrier, so they gain weight which they may have lost through a chronic illness.

Can you give Mirataz long term?

For as long as your vet wants to prescribe it.

Is Mirataz safe for cats with kidney disease?

The efficacy and safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established in cats with severe renal disease so please discuss any concerns with your vet.

Is there an alternative to Mirataz?

Please discuss any alternatives with your vet as they know your pet’s medical history and what may be safe to prescribe.

What are the side-effects of Mirataz?

Application site reaction(s) (erythema, crust/scab, residue, scaling/dryness, flaking, head shaking, dermatitis or irritation, alopecia, and pruritus) and behavioural changes (increased vocalisation, hyperactivity, disoriented state or ataxia, lethargy/weakness, attention seeking and aggression) occurred very commonly in safety and clinical studies.

Vomiting, polyuria associated with reduced urine specific gravity, elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and dehydration were commonly observed in safety and clinical studies. Depending on the severity of vomiting, dehydration or behavioural changes, administration of the product may be discontinued according to the benefit-risk assessment of the veterinarian.

These adverse events, including local reactions, resolved at the end of treatment period with no specific treatment.

In rare occasions, hypersensitivity reactions can occur. In these cases, the treatment should be immediately withdrawn.

In case of oral ingestion, in addition to effects cited above (except local reactions), salivation and tremors may rarely occur.

The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:

- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reaction(s))

- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)

- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)

- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)

- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports).

Is Mirataz safe for cats?
If your vet prescribes it who knows your own pet’s medical history. Any animal can have an adverse reaction to any drug.

Answers Compiled by our RCVS Registered Veterinary Surgeon.