Buspar

Buspirone Hydrochloride Drug Information

• Buspar Overview

  Buspar is used to treat anxiety. It may help you think more clearly, relax, worry less, and take part in everyday life. It may also help you to feel less jittery and irritable, and may control symptoms such as trouble sleeping, sweating, and pounding heartbeat. Buspirone is a medication for anxiety (anxiolytic) that works by affecting certain natural substances in the brain (neurotransmitters).

• How to Use Buspar

  Take Buspar by mouth, usually 2 or 3 times a day or as directed by your doctor. You may take Buspar with or without food, but it is important to choose one way and always take it the same way so that the amount of drug absorbed will always be the same. Buspirone may come in a tablet that can be split to get the correct dose for you. Follow the manufacturer's Patient Instruction Sheet or ask your pharmacist how to split the tablet to get your dose. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking Buspar unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may do so safely. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Dosage of Buspar is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Use Buspar regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. When Buspar is started, symptoms of anxiety (e.g., restlessness) may sometimes get worse before they improve. It may take up to a month or more to get the full effect of Buspar. Inform your doctor if your symptoms persist or worsen.

• Buspar Precautions

  Before taking buspirone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Buspar may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Buspar should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using Buspar,kidney problems, liver problems. Before using Buspar, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,bipolar disorder (manic-depression), Parkinson's disease. Buspar may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). If you are taking other medications for anxiety, do not suddenly stop them unless directed by your doctor. Buspirone will not prevent withdrawal symptoms from other medications, and your dose may need to be lowered slowly when you switch to buspirone. Discuss your treatment plan with your doctor. If you experience withdrawal symptoms, tell your doctor right away. During pregnancy, Buspar should only be used when clearly needed. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using Buspar. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if Buspar passes into breast milk. However, similar drugs pass into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

• Buspar Misdose

  If you miss a dose of Buspar, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

• Buspar Interactions

  See also How to Use section. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Taking MAO inhibitors with Buspar may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with Buspar. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before and after treatment with Buspar. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking Buspar. Before using Buspar, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use,antidepressants (including SSRIs such as fluoxetine, tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline/nortriptyline, trazodone), haloperidol, drugs that slow down the removal of buspirone from your body by affecting certain liver enzymes including azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole), ritonavir, nefazodone, diltiazem, drugs that speed up the removal of buspirone from your body by affecting certain liver enzymes including rifamycins (such as rifampin, rifabutin), corticosteroids (such as dexamethasone), and certain anticonvulsants (such as phenytoin, phenobarbital). Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine). Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely. Buspar may interfere with certain medical/laboratory tests (including brain scan for Parkinson's disease), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use Buspar.

• Buspar Side Effects

  What are Buspar side effects?

  Side effects are physical, mental or emotional symptoms which occur in addition to or outside of the desired effect of a therapeutic treatment such as an over-the-counter or prescribed drug or medication. Side effects from Buspar may occur at the beginning or at the end of treatment and may also depend on the length of time an individual remains on the treatment. Side effects, also known as adverse effects, are generally more likely to occur when starting treatment. Individuals may also experience side effects from Buspar as a result of an interaction with other medications.

  Side Effects of Buspar

  The side effects of Buspar may vary in number and intensity for many different reasons. Factors such as age, weight, gender and ethnicity may influence the side effects of Buspar. Also, an individual’s state of general physical health and seriousness of the disease or illness as well as an increase or decrease in dosage may lead to side effects. Further, side effects from Buspar may also occur as a result of an interaction with certain herbal supplements, foods or drinks.

  Prescription drug side effects can be serious and may cause patients to stop the treatment. However, when side effects from the use of a prescription drug, such as Buspar, do occur a patient should consult their physician. A physician may prescribe an additional treatment in order to control the symptoms or an adjustment in the dosage may be made. In addition, changes to diet, exercise or other lifestyle activities may help to lessen the side effects of Buspar.

  By understanding side effects and the factors which may influence the occurrence of side effects patients are empowered to take an active role in their care. Patients who have specific questions about the side effects of Buspar, or any other medication, should contact their physician. General information about Buspar and the side effects associated with Buspar are described in the following:

  Common Buspar Side Effects

  Severe

  Less Severe

  • dizziness
  • headache disorder
  • nausea
  • nervousness

  Less Frequent Buspar Side Effects

  Severe

  • excitement
  • hostility
  • skin rash

  Less Severe

  • myalgias
  • general weakness
  • hyperhidrosis
  • tremor
  • ataxia
  • hypesthesia
  • diarrhea

  Rare or Very Rare Buspar Side Effects

  Severe

  • acute confusion
  • depression
  • parkinsonism
  • extrapyramidal disease
  • sore throat
  • urticaria
  • muscle weakness
  • fever
  • akathisia
  • dyskinesia
  • paresthesia
  • angioedema
  • chest pain
  • urinary retention
  • tachycardia

  Less Severe

  • nightmares
  • blurred vision
  • tinnitus
  • nasal congestion
  • xerostomia
  • muscle spasm with pain
  • drowsy
  • concentration difficulty
  • insomnia
  • fatigue
  • palpitations

• Buspar Storage

  Store the US product in a tightly closed container at room temperature below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Store the Canadian product in a tightly closed container at room temperature 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard Buspar when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.