Skip to content

Buspirone: Side Effects, Uses, Interaction and Precautions

Buspirone Medication and Drugs

FORMULA— C21H31N5O2

GENERIC NAME— Buspirone

BRAND NAME(s)— Buspar, Buspar Dividose, Vanspar

What Is Buspirone?


Buspirone is a medication used to treat anxiety disorders, particularly generalized anxiety disorder. It is believed that the medication affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in individuals with anxiety.

It is taken by mouth, and it may take up to four weeks for an effect.

Buspirone Dosage:


Usual Adult Dose for Anxiety [Trusted Source 1]

Initial Dose— 7.5 mg orally twice a day or 5 mg 3 thrice a day.
Maintenance Dose— The daily dose may be increased in 5 mg increments every 2 to 3 days up to 20 to 60 mg/day in divided doses.
Maximum Dose— 60 mg per day

Interactions:


Tell your doctor or health care provider about all medications that you are currently taking; especially [Trusted Source 2]

  • Ritonavir
  • Fluvoxamine
  • Nefazodone
  • Rifampin
  • Rifabutin
  • Grapefruit
  • Nefazodone
  • Diltiazem
  • Antidepressants
  • Corticosteroids
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, safinamide, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine
  • Azole antifungals such as itraconazole, ketoconazole

Tell your doctor if you are using other products that can cause drowsiness such as opioid pain or cough relievers, marijuana (cannabis), alcohol, muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine).

Precautions:


Before taking Buspirone medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to it or if you have a history of any other allergy.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medication, consult your doctor if you have [Trusted Source 1] [Trusted Source 3]

Although, Buspirone is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Ask your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant. [Trusted Source 1]

It is unknown whether the medication passes into breast milk. Tell your doctor if you are breast—feeding. [Trusted Source 1]

NOTE— Do not use this medicine if you have taken Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include linezolid, methylene blue injection, isocarboxazid, rasagiline, selegiline, phenelzine and tranylcypromine.

What Are The Side Effects Of Buspirone?


Call your doctor or health care provider if you have [Trusted Source 1] [Trusted Source 3]

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • A light—headed feeling, like you might pass out

Common side effects of Buspirone medication may include [Trusted Source 1] [Trusted Source 3]

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Nausea
  • Stomach upset
  • Insomnia
  • Feeling nervous or excited

What Should I Avoid While Taking Buspirone?


Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with this medicine and lead to many side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products and consult with your doctor. Consuming alcohol may also increase certain side effects.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

What Happens If I Miss A Dose?


Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost the time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What Happens If I Overdose?


Seek emergency medical care or call the Poison Help line at 1—800—222—1222.

RELATED ARTICLES:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

21 Shares
Share
Tweet
Pin21