Buspar Review
By Dr. Kensington
What Is Buspar?
Bupsirone is a prescription medication used to treat anxiety.
It relieves common anxiety symptoms such as nervousness, agitation, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, irritability, dizziness, and other physical indications of fear or anxiety.
It works by interacting with the chemicals in the brain that contribute to these symptoms of anxiety.
Specifically, scientists believe that an enzyme called neuropsin may be involved in the biochemical pathway in the part of the brain that deals with fear. As a result, neuropsin may play a key role in anxious behaviour.
Dosage
The best Buspar dosage often depends on individual factors such as age, medical condition, other meds one may be taking, etc.
This medication is available in 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg tablets. A common starting dose for adults suffering from anxiety is 15 mg daily. (For children and teenagers, the dose is typically smaller.)
This dose may be increased by 5 mg in intervals of two or three days. The maximum daily dosage does not typically exceed 60 mg per day.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember but wait until your next dosage time if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take double doses or share with others. Only take this medication as prescribed.
Side Effects
Effects of antidepressants can range from mild to more severe. Common side effects may include drowsiness, irritation, restlessness, headaches, light-headedness; nausea, upset stomach, dizziness, and more. Also, see this article about the link between antidepressants and weight changes.
More serious side effects may include feeling faint or light-headed, fast or irregular heart rate, depressed mood, unusual thoughts or behaviors, and lack of coordination or balance.
In addition, indications of a possible allergic reaction may include skin rash, hives, blurred vision, irregular heart rate, muscle twitching, or any unexplained swelling in body parts, particularly the tongue, face, throat, hand, legs, or feet.
Contact your doctor right away if you experience any adverse side effects. If severe enough, you may need to seek emergency medical attention in order to stabilize your symptoms.
Overdose Risks
Symptoms of an overdose may include upset stomach, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and blurred vision.
Buspar Warnings
Inform you doctor if you are allergic to Buspar or if you have taken an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 2 weeks. (Serious and potentally life-threatening side effects may occur if one takes Buspar before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from the body.) In addition, inform your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease.
Further, avoid grapefruit is it may lead to dangerous side effects. Also, this medication is intended to be taken for a short amount of time; do not take it for more than 4 weeks without the consent of your doctor.
Alcohol Risks
Exercise caution when performing any activities that require you to be awake and alert. This medication may impair reaction time. Also, avoid alcohol as it may increase this medication's side effects and cause other health risks. See this warning about mixing antidepresssants and alcohol.
Pregnancy Warning
Also, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are thinking about becoming pregnant. This medication has an FDA pregnancy category B, which means that it is not expected to harm developing fetuses. However, it is not known whether Buspar passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. (See this warning about antidepressants and pregnancy).
Suicide Warning
Most doctors exercise great caution in prescribing this medication for patients younger than 18 years old due to a possible increased risk of suicide. Read this warning about antidepressants and suicide.
Conclusion
It is important to remember that all medications affect everyone differently, so your results may be different than your neighbors. Remember to attend your regularly scheduled medication monitoring appointments with your prescribing doctor.
