Buspirone (also known by the brand name Buspar) is a medication for anxiety. It, like many other anti-anxiety drugs, works by balancing the levels of hormones responsible for regulating your mood. Doctors may also use it to treat a variety of issues unrelated to anxiety, depending on the patient’s needs.
Because of its effectiveness, minimal addictive potential, and generally low-risk side effects, buspirone is one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States. It’s worth noting that for many years, buspirone was primarily sold under the name Buspar, but the brand has been discontinued. This was not due to issues with safety or effectiveness. As such, buspirone is currently only available as a generic medication.
Understanding Buspirone
Buspirone belongs to a class of drugs called anxiolytics, meaning anti-anxiety drugs. Doctors prescribe buspirone as both a short- and long-term treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or specific symptoms of anxiety. Because of its method of action, it is far less addictive than many other drugs. However, unlike some other medications, buspirone can take several weeks to deliver noticeable therapeutic results. For this reason, it is a poor choice when attempting to treat acute anxiety problems.
Uses and Benefits of Buspirone
Buspirone primarily relieves anxiety and its symptoms. Studies have shown that while Buspar and its generic counterparts are good choices for treating GAD, they are less effective than other medications for managing other anxiety disorders.
When prescribed for GAD, buspirone is often a go-to when selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have not been effective or tolerable. Though rare, some antidepressants can cause jaw pain or clenching. Buspirone might be effective in treating these drug-related jaw problems. And, because SSRIs often have sexual side effects such as reduced libido, some doctors will prescribe buspirone to mitigate those effects. Along similar lines, there is some evidence that buspirone can treat certain sex-related conditions, such as female hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
Risks and Side Effects
While buspirone is generally safe, it still has the potential to cause some side effects. Most notably, dizziness occurs in over 10% of patients.
Additionally, research has revealed a number of other issues affecting between 1% and 10% of people taking buspirone. These include:
- Blurred vision
- Chest pain
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Excitement
- Headache
- Nasal congestion
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Numbness
- Sore throat
- Tremors
- Weakness
Though rare, buspirone could contribute to complications like serotonin syndrome—a group of symptoms that develop due to excess serotonin in the central nervous system.
Precautions and Considerations
Buspirone does not activate the receptors that make other anxiety drugs, like benzodiazepines, addictive. However, there are still some precautions and considerations to bear in mind when taking this medication:
- If you’ve attempted to take buspirone previously and had any type of hypersensitivity reaction, do not take it again.
- You should also inform your doctor if you have kidney or liver issues or if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
- Avoid the use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) within 14 days of taking buspirone, as well as most other medications for depression or anxiety. Otherwise, you risk developing serotonin syndrome and other side effects. Always give a list of your medications, herbs, and dietary supplements to your physician to limit the risk of drug interactions.
Visit your care team regularly while taking Buspar for anxiety to check on your progress. You probably will not notice any improvement in your anxiety symptoms for at least a week or two, but it could take up to a month.
Until you know how this medication affects you, do not drive or operate any heavy machinery. Do not sit up or stand quickly, especially if you are older. Avoid alcoholic drinks until you’re sure the medication will not make you drowsy or dizzy.
Additionally, avoid drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice while taking buspirone.
Though buspirone is not technically FDA-approved for use by anyone under the age of 18, it has been used in children under close supervision and at appropriate dosages.
Dosage and Administration
Always take medications, particularly buspirone, exactly as your doctor prescribes. Follow all the instructions on the label. Depending on your response to the drug, your doctor may update your dosage amounts or times to ensure you get the best results.
You can take buspirone with or without food, but you should always take it the same way each time.
Some tablets are scored and designed for you to break into two or three pieces. Do not use a tablet if it does not break correctly. Should this occur, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to assist you in cutting the tablet to the correct size—or replace it if this isn’t possible.
Occasionally, buspirone can cause false positive results on certain medical tests. Tell all of your medical professionals that you are taking this drug so they can prepare accordingly.
The typical beginning dose for an adult taking buspirone for anxiety is 7.5 mg orally twice a day or 5 mg three times a day. Depending on how the individual responds to this dose, the prescribing doctor will typically increase the maintenance dose in 5 mg increments, not to exceed 60 mg per day.
Treatment Duration and Withdrawal
As previously mentioned, buspirone is effective for both short-term and long-term anxiety treatment. A therapeutic effect can take several weeks to manifest, but the medication typically remains effective once this occurs. Side effects, such as dizziness, often improve with time.
Unlike other anti-anxiety medications, buspirone is not addictive and lacks many of the same withdrawal effects. However, there can still be issues when you suddenly stop taking the drug. Make plans with your doctor if you need to stop taking buspirone. They will help plan a steady decrease in the amount of buspirone you take so you can avoid any potential side effects.
During your treatment period, doctors may check for symptoms of serotonin syndrome as a precaution and reduce your dosage if there are issues.
Final Words
As far as anti-anxiety medications go, buspirone is one of the safest and most reliable options a doctor can prescribe. While there can be side effects, these typically improve with time. If you or someone you know is taking buspirone or believes they need buspirone for their anxiety, speak with a medical professional.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team with any questions. At Restore Mental Health, our experts have decades of experience in treating anxiety with a variety of methods, including buspirone.
