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Buspirone

Brands

  • BuSpar
    • tablet: 5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 30mg

Uses of Buspirone

Buspirone is indicated for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It can also be used to augment the effects of antidepressants in Major Depressive Disorder.

How Buspirone Works

Buspirone is a partial agonist of the serotonin 1A receptor.

Cautions when Using Buspirone

Buspirone should not be used during or within 14 days following the administration of an MAOI, because a hypertensive crisis may result.

Dosing of Buspirone

Start at 15mg twice a day. Dose can be increased in 5mg/day increments every 3 days, though usually a couple of weeks is necessary to assess therapeutic effects of a particular dose. Maximum dose is 60mg/day.

When wanting to stop this medication, it can be discontinued immediately.

Onset of action

Therapeutic effects are usually seen after 2-4 weeks of starting the medication. If there are no significant effects after 6 weeks (during which time the dose has been increased beyond the minimum for at least 2 weeks), then it may not work at all.

Kidney impairment

Not recommended for patients with significant kidney impairment.

Liver impairment

Not recommended for patients with significant liver impairment.

Side-effects of Buspirone

Below is a list of most of the reported side-effects of Buspirone. Most of these side-effects occur in only a minority of individuals, and many also resolve with time while the medication is continued.

Cardiovascular: tachycardia (rapid heart rate); chest pain.

Central Nervous System: dizziness; drowsiness; headache; lightheadedness; numbness; weakness; paresthesia; incoordination; tremor; dream disturbances; extrapyramidal symptoms (rare).

Dermatologic: rash; excessive perspiration.

Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat: blurred vision; tinnitus; sore throat; nasal congestion.

Gastrointestinal: nausea; diarrhea.

Musculoskeletal: muscle aches; serotonin syndrome (rare).

Psychiatric: anxiety; irritability; restlessness; agitation.

Common side-effects of Buspirone

Dizziness, drowsiness, nausea.

Rare but serious side-effects of note of Buspirone

  • none

Buspirone overdose

Sedation, dizziness, small pupils, nausea, vomiting.

Buspirone and pregnancy

Category B: Animal studies have not shown any significant adverse effects, but no studies have been done in humans. Can be used in pregnancy if potential benefits outweigh possible risks.

Medical Monitoring for Buspirone

None for healthy individuals.

Drug Interactions with Buspirone