Buspirone

Buspirone is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of Anxiety Disorders. 

 

Buspirone is available under the following different brand names: BuSpar, Buspirex, Bustab, LinBuspirone.

Adult and Pediatric dosage

Tablet

• 5mg
• 7.5mg
• 10mg
• 15mg
• 30mg

Anxiety Disorders

Adult Dosages

• 10-15 mg per day orally divided every 8-12 hours; may increase every 2-3 days by 5 mg per day to 15-30 mg per day orally dived every 8-12 hours; not to exceed 60 mg per day. 

Pediatric Dosage

• Safety and efficacy not established. 

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages."

Common side effects of Buspirone include:

• headache, 
• dizziness, 
• lightheadedness, 
• nausea, 
• nervousness, and 
• excitement 

Serious side effects of Buspirone include:

• hives, 
• difficulty breathing, 
• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, 
• chest pain, 
• shortness of breath, 
• lightheadedness, 
• agitation, 
• hallucinations, 
• fever, 
• sweating, 
• shivering, 
• fast heart rate, 
• muscle stiffness, 
• twitching, 
• loss of coordination, 
• nausea, 
• vomiting, and
• diarrhea

Rare side effects of Buspirone include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.  Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

• Buspirone has severe interactions with the following drugs:
  • isocarboxazid
  • linezolid
  • phenelzine
  • procarbazine
  • selegiline transdermal
  • tranylcypromine 
• Buspirone has serious interactions with at least 58 different drugs.
• Buspirone has moderate interactions with at least 123 different drugs.
• Buspirone has minor interactions with no other drugs.

 This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects.  Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drugs interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use.  Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist.  Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity 

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What are Side Effects Associated with Using Buspirone?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Buspirone?”

Cautions

• Do not use PRN for anxiety
• Will not prevent withdrawal from other anxiolytics, such as benzodiazepine
• May cause cognitive motor impairment
• Restlessness syndrome associated with therapy
• Use in severe renal/hepatic impairment not recommended
• Use with MAO inhibitors may result in hypertensive reaction (use not recommended)

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use may be acceptable during pregnancy.  
• Excretion in milk is unknown and therefore not recommended.