buspirone – oral, Buspar
Medication Uses: This medication is used to treat anxiety. It helps you think more clearly, relax, worry less, and participate in everyday life. It also reduces jitteriness, irritability, and symptoms such as trouble sleeping, sweating, and a pounding heartbeat. Buspirone is an anxiety medication that works by affecting natural substances in the brain.
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth, usually 2 or 3 times a day or as directed by your doctor. You may take this medication 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. Limit grapefruit consumption (less than one quart a day) while being treated with this medication. Grapefruit may increase the amount of buspirone in your bloodstream. Consult your pharmacist or doctor for more information. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit. Take it at the same times each day. When starting this medication, anxiety symptoms may sometimes worsen before they improve. It may take up to a month or more to get the full effect. Inform your doctor if your symptoms persist or worsen.
SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, nervousness, lightheadedness, restlessness, blurred vision, tiredness, and trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Rarely, patients taking buspirone may develop movement disorders such as tremors, muscle stiffness, and facial expressions. In some cases, these conditions may be permanent. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any unusual movements. Seek immediate medical attention if serious side effects occur: easy bleeding/bruising, shortness of breath, chest pain, fast/irregular heartbeat. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
PRECAUTIONS: Before taking buspirone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions. Discuss any medical conditions or history with your doctor before using this medication. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are sure you can do so safely. Avoid suddenly stopping other anxiety medications unless directed by your doctor. If you experience withdrawal symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. Before using this medication during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, consult your doctor. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. This medication may interfere with certain medical tests. Make sure your doctors are aware of your medication use.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This medication may interact with other drugs, including MAO inhibitors and certain antidepressants. Keep a list of all the products you use and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval. Consult your doctor for more details about drug interactions.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Keep all regular medical and laboratory appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.
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.
This information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet, or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
