Medications and Drugs
Pharmacy Author: Emmanuel Saltiel, PharmD, FASHP, FCCP
Pharmacy and Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD
GENERIC NAME: buspirone
BRAND NAME: Buspar
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Buspirone is an antianxiety
medication
that works by stimulating serotonin type 1A receptors on
nerves thereby
altering the chemical messages that nerves transmit to each
other. Unlike
the most commonly prescribed antianxiety medications of the
benzodiazepine
class (for example, diazepam
[Valium], lorazepam
[Ativan], alprazolam
[Xanax]; clonazepam
[Klonopin]),
buspirone does
not cause sedation.
PRESCRIPTION: yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets (white), ovoid-rectangular in
shape: 5mg
and 10mg.
STORAGE: Tablets should be kept at room temperature,
less than
30°C (86°F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Buspirone is indicated for the
management of
anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms
of anxiety.
Buspirone is especially effective in persons with generalized
anxiety of a
limited or moderate degree. It is not very effective in persons
with
severe anxiety,
panic disorders, or
obsessive-compulsive
disorders.
DOSING: Unlike antianxiety medications of the
benzodiazepine
class which are effective after a single dose, effectiveness
with
buspirone may require two or more weeks of treatment. Buspirone
usually is
given as three doses daily. The dose may be increased every
several days
until an effective dose is found. Although food increases the
amount of
buspirone that is absorbed, the importance of this effect is
not clear.
Buspirone probably should be taken, therefore, either with or
without food
on a consistent basis.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Buspirone may interact with drugs
called
monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid
(Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and
procarbazine
(Matulane) which are used in psychotic disorders. The use of
buspirone
with these drugs can cause increased blood pressure. The
combination of
buspirone and trazodone (Desyrel), an antidepressant, may cause
abnormal
liver enzymes in the blood. The combination of buspirone and
warfarin (Coumadin), a blood thinner, may accentuate the effects of
warfarin and
increase the risk of bleeding. Patients taking buspirone should not drink grapefruit juice, since the juice (even well after a
dose is taken) can increase the amount of buspirone in the blood, possibly
leading to side effects.
PREGNANCY: There are no adequate studies of buspirone
in
pregnant women. However, studies in animals suggest no
important effects
on the fetus. Buspirone therefore can be used in pregnancy if
the
physician feels that it clearly is necessary.
NURSING MOTHERS: It is not
known if buspirone is secreted in breast milk.
SIDE EFFECTS: The most commonly noted side effects
associated
with buspirone are dizziness,
nausea, headache, nervousness,
lightheadedness, excitement, and insomnia. Symptoms of
benzodiazepine
withdrawal may occur when switching persons from antianxiety
medications
of the benzodiazepine class (see above) to buspirone since
buspirone is
not a benzodiazepine. Such a withdrawal reaction may include
irritability,
agitation, anxiety, insomnia, tremor, or even
seizures.
Reference: FDA Prescribing Information
Last Editorial Review: 11/14/2007
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
- Drug Interactions - Learn about potential drug interactions you may be exposed to. Drug interactions can occur with prescription drugs, OTC medication, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
- Anxiety - Read about anxiety (generalized anxiety disorder, GAD) causes, physical symptoms and signs, medications and treatment. Learn about symptoms (worry, fear) and other types of anxiety disorders.
- Drugs: What You Should Know About Your Drugs - Find out what you should know about your drugs such as side effects, warnings and precautions, storage information, and if a generic version is as good as the brand name.
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