Buspirone (Buspar) Medical Information
Generic Name: BUSPIRONE
Brand Name: Buspar
The following product information is not intended to replace the physician's
or manufacturer's instructions.
Buspirone uses:
Buspirone is an anti-anxiety medicine. Buspirone is used to treat anxiety
disorders or in the short-term treatment of symptoms of anxiety. This
medication is used to treat the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Anxiety
is caused by an imbalance of a serotonin in the brain. Buspirone brings
serotonin levels back to normal which can reduce symptoms of generalized
anxiety. This drug works gradually over a two to four week period. This
medication may be prescribed for other uses.
Buspirone dosage:
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It usually
is taken two or three times a day. Buspirone may cause an upset stomach,
so take it with food or milk. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating
grapefruit 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking Buspirone. Do not stop
taking this drug without talking to your doctor, especially if you have
taken large doses for a long time. Continue to take the medication even
if you feel better. It may take 3 to 4 weeks for the full benefit of the
medicine to be apparent.
Buspirone side effects:
Although side effects from Buspirone are not common, they can occur. This
medicine may cause:
- upset stomach
- constipation
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- stomach pain
- drowsiness
- fatigue
- excitement
- nervousness
- headache
- dry mouth
- difficulty sleeping
- lightheadedness
- weakness
If these side effects persist, worsen or do not go away, notify your
doctor.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects:
- skin rash
- itching
- difficulty breathing
- closing of your throat
- hives
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- blurred vision
- uncontrollable movements of your arms, legs
- numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, arms, or legs
If you notice other effects not listed here, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Buspirone precautions:
Before taking Buspirone, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic
to any drugs. Tell your doctor your medical history especially: kidney
or liver disease, alcohol or drug abuse. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant
or are breast-feeding. This medication may make you drowsy. Be cautious
when driving or performing other dangerous tasks. If you experience dizziness
or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Alcohol can add to the drowsiness
caused by Buspirone, so use alcohol cautiously. Grapefruit and grapefruit
juice may interact with this medication. The interaction could lead to
potentially adverse effects.You should know that this drug may increase
the effects of other medications that cause drowsiness (e.g. anxiety medicines,
sedatives, antidepressants, antihistamines,muscle relaxants, pain relievers).
Drug interactions:
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medication
from doing its job. The best way to avoid harmful interactions is to tell
your doctor what medications you are currently taking. Do not take Buspirone
if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (e.g.Marplan, Nardil,
Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. Severely high blood pressure may occur
if Buspirone is taken with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Drugs that may
interact with Buspirone include:
- macrolide antibiotics
- nefazodone (Serzone)
- itraconazole (Sporanox)
- erythromycin
- selegiline (Eldepryl)
- haloperidol
- narcotic pain medications
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
Overdose:
If overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical treatment. Symptoms of
overdose may drowsiness, very deep sleep, nausea, vomiting, and unusually
small pupils.
Missed dose:
Take any missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is within 4 hours
of the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing
schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If more
than one dose is missed, contact your doctor or pharmacist to establish
a new dosing schedule.
Storage:
Store buspirone at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not
store in the bathroom. Do not share this medication with others.
References:
- 1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. U.S. Prescribing Information.
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