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Overview: Buspirone is used to reduce anxiety. Common side effects may include dizziness, nausea, headache, or lightheadedness. Serious side effects are less likely but may include movement problems. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any unusual or uncontrolled movements. Because it can cause dizziness and lightheadedness, you should not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how buspirone affects you. Buspirone is available as a tablet or capsule that you swallow. 

Uses

What is buspirone used for?

Buspirone is commonly used to treat anxiety disorders.

Buspirone may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does buspirone work (mechanism of action)?

Buspirone may affect certain substances in your brain called neurotransmitters. However, the exact way buspirone works is not fully understood.

How is buspirone supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Bucapsol

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 5 mg oral tablets
  • 7.5 mg oral capsules and tablets
  • 10 mg oral capsules and tablets
  • 15 mg oral capsules and tablets
  • 30 mg oral tablets

How should I store buspirone?

Buspirone should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Keep tightly closed. Protect from light.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of buspirone?

The most common side effects of buspirone are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Nervousness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Excitement

There may be other side effects of buspirone that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of buspirone?

While less common, the most serious side effects of buspirone are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Serotonin Syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is when there is too much of a chemical called serotonin in your body. Buspirone can cause serotonin syndrome when it is taken alone or with other medicines that affect serotonin. This condition can be life-threatening. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome.

  • Sweating, fever, or flushing
  • Confusion
  • Feeling agitated or restless
  • Seeing or hearing unusual things
  • Dizziness
  • Fast or racing heartbeat
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Muscle twitching, stiffness, or tremor
  • Seizures

Movement Problems. Buspirone may rarely cause movement problems, including shakiness, stiffness, or jerkiness. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any unusual or uncontrolled movements. 

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use buspirone?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take buspirone.

  • Bucapsol
  • Buspar
  • Buspirone
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific buspirone products they stock.

Drug Interactions. Buspirone should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking buspirone, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section below for more details.

What should I know about buspirone before using it?

Do not take buspirone unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share buspirone with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep buspirone out of the reach of children.

Buspirone may affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how buspirone affects you.

Bucapsol capsules can be opened and the contents sprinkled on a small amount of applesauce if you have trouble swallowing capsules. Swallow the mixture right away.

Do not suddenly stop taking other medicines you may take for anxiety without talking with your healthcare provider. Buspirone will not prevent a withdrawal reaction from certain other medicines. The dose of another medicine may need to be slowly lowered when you start taking buspirone.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using buspirone?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if buspirone is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Liver problems
  • Kidney problems
  • History of a drug or alcohol disorder

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how buspirone could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will let you know if you should take buspirone while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is unknown if buspirone passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will let you know if you should take buspirone while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does buspirone interact with foods or drinks?

You should always take buspirone with food or without food, so you get the same amount of medicine each time. Do not drink a lot of grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit because you may have more side effects from buspirone.

It is best to avoid alcohol when taking buspirone. The risk of dizziness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking buspirone.

Does buspirone interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking buspirone.

  • A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past 2 weeks, which is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease
  • An antipsychotic, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions
  • Nefazodone, which is a medicine to treat depression
  • Diltiazem or verapamil, which are medicines to treat high blood pressure
  • Itraconazole, which is a medicine to treat fungal infections
  • Linezolid, erythromycin, or rifampin, which are medicine used to treat certain infections
  • A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which are medicines commonly used for anxiety and depression
  • A serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which are medicines commonly used for anxiety and depression
  • Any other medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness (e.g., prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, and medicines for anxiety)
  • A type of medicine called triptans, such as sumatriptan (Imitrex and others), eletriptan (Relpax), and others, which are used to treat migraines
  • Tryptophan

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of buspirone. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with buspirone. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much buspirone?

If you or someone else has taken too much buspirone, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of buspirone?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.