Buspirone

(byu-spy-rohn)

Trade/other name(s): BuSpar

Why would this drug be used?

Buspirone is used to treat anxiety.

How does this drug work?

Buspirone belongs to a general group of drugs called anti-anxiety agents. It is different from most other anxiety drugs, in that it does not help seizures or relax muscles. It is not clear how buspirone works but it affects chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) in the brain that cause the feeling of anxiety.

Before taking this medicine

Tell your doctor…

• If you are allergic to anything, including medicines, dyes, additives, or foods.
• If you have any medical conditions such as kidney disease or liver disease (including hepatitis). It is possible that you may need a different medicine.
• If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or if there is any chance of pregnancy. This drug did not cause birth defects in animal tests, but has not been tested in pregnant women.
• If you are breast-feeding. It is not known how much of this drug passes into breast milk. Talk with your doctor about breast-feeding while taking this drug.
• About any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines you are taking, including vitamins and herbs.

Interactions with other drugs

Antidepressants known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), isocarboxazid (Marplan), or selegiline (Emsam) may raise the risk of side effects and should not be taken within 2 weeks of taking buspirone.

The following drugs can cause buspirone to build up in the body, raising the risk of serious side effects. If you need one of these medicines while you are taking buspirone, your doctor may be able to adjust your buspirone dose:

• anti-fungal drugs itraconazole or ketoconazole
• antidepressant drugs nefazodone (Serzone), fluvoxamine (Luvox),
• antibiotics erythromycin, clarithromycin, and similar drugs
• certain blood pressure medicines such as diltiazem and verapamil
• HIV drugs such as indinavir, ritonavir, and nelfinavir

Some medicines cause the blood level of buspirone to be lowered, so that you don't get enough of it to work. If you are on any of these, your medicine may be changed or the dose adjusted:

• anti-seizure medicines such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
• pioglitazone (Actos), for diabetes
• the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone
• TB medicines rifampin and rifabutin
• St. John's wort

When buspirone is used along with haloperidol (Haldol), the level of haloperidol in the body can build up and cause more serious side effects.

Alcohol is not recommended while taking this drug.

Check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about whether other medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements can cause problems with this medicine.

Interactions with foods

Grapefruit or grapefruit juice can raise the level of this drug in your body. This can worsen any side effects the drug may have and may increase its action in a harmful way. Check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about whether other foods may be a problem.

Tell all the doctors, dentists, nurses, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.

How is this drug taken or given?

Buspirone is usually given 2 or 3 times a day. The tablets should be taken by mouth at about the same time each day. Food affects absorption, so if you take it with food, make sure you always take it with food. If you do not take it with food, then be sure you always take it on an empty stomach. The dose depends upon how much of the medicine it will take to make you feel better. Your doctor may start you on a low dose twice a day and increase the dose as needed every 2 to 3 days until you feel better. Take this drug exactly as your doctor tells you to. If you do not understand the instructions, your doctor or nurse can explain them to you.

Store pills in a tightly closed container and away from children and pets.

Precautions

This medicine may make you drowsy or lightheaded. Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform other activities that require alertness until you know how you respond to this medicine.

You may not get the full effect of this drug for 3 to 4 weeks after starting buspirone.

Possible side effects

You will probably not have most of the following side effects, but if you have any talk to your doctor or nurse. They can help you understand the side effects and cope with them.

Less common

• dizziness
• drowsiness*
• headache
• excitement

Rare

• tiredness (fatigue)
• nightmares
• trouble sleeping
• restlessness or nervousness
• weakness
• numbness and tingling in hands and/or feet
• nausea
• dry mouth
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• diarrhea
• constipation
• decreased sex drive
• allergic reaction with rash, hives (skin welts), itching, trouble breathing, or swelling of face, mouth, or throat

*See "Precautions" section for more detailed information.

There are other side effects not listed above that can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop these or any other problems.

FDA approval

Yes – first approved in 1986

Disclaimer: This information does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for talking with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical needs.