• Anxiety

Buspirone for Anxiety: What is it and How Does it Work?

Anxiety can be overwhelming, leaving you feeling tense and constantly on edge. It may even disrupt your sleeping patterns, focus, and relationships. 

If you’re one of the 40 million Americans living with anxiety, medication may offer much-needed relief, and one option your doctor may recommend is buspirone.

Once sold under the brand name BusPar, buspirone remains a widely trusted medication for treating generalized anxiety disorder. 

In this article, we’ll explore how buspirone works, the potential side effects you might experience, and how it may help you regain a sense of calm and control. 

What is Buspirone?

Buspirone — pronounced byoo-spy-rone — is an FDA-approved treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), a mental health condition that leads to ongoing, intense feelings of worry.

It belongs to a class of medications called anxiolytics, which are designed to help ease the symptoms of anxiety, such as a racing heartbeat, irritability, dizziness, and intense fear. 

Buspirone is often used as an additional or second-line treatment for anxiety because it tends to work gradually, often taking a few weeks to fully relieve symptoms. 

Other medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are known to effectively treat anxiety disorders long term and may work faster to balance serotonin levels.  

Buspirone may be prescribed when other medications haven’t worked well, have caused adverse side effects, or when additional support is needed to ease anxiety symptoms. 

BuSpar — the brand name for buspirone — was discontinued in 2010. 

This was not due to safety or efficacy concerns, but rather because the generic version, buspirone, became more widely available. 

How does buspirone work? 

Buspirone helps treat generalized anxiety disorder by affecting specific chemicals in the brain, known as neurotransmitters, that influence mood and stress responses.

Two of these neurotransmitters — serotonin and dopamine — are produced naturally and help regulate feelings of calmness, focus, and overall well-being. 

When these levels are off balance, feelings of restlessness, trouble sleeping, or a racing heartbeat may become more intense.  

Buspirone is a serotonin receptor agonist, which means it stimulates the brain’s serotonin receptors to enhance the chemical’s calming effect — helping to ease anxiety symptoms. 

Because buspirone takes time to build up in the body, it’s not typically prescribed for immediate anxiety relief. 

It may take up to three to four weeks before the medication starts treating anxiety symptoms, making it a gradual but sustainable option for individuals with ongoing anxiety. 

Does Buspirone Cause Any Side Effects? 

Although buspirone is generally well-tolerated, it’s important to be aware of some of the potential side effects that may occur with its use. 

Common side effects

While there isn’t extensive research on how long buspirone’s side effects last, they’re generally mild and tend to ease over a few weeks as the body adjusts to the medication. 

Some of the mild side effects of buspirone may include: 

• Headache

• Nausea

• Diarrhea 

• Dizziness

• Fatigue 

• Difficulty falling or staying asleep

• Excitement 

Serious side effects

Although adverse side effects from buspirone are rare, they can occur in some cases. These could include: 

• Blurred vision

• Fast or irregular heartbeat

• Muscle twitching or stiffness

• Loss of coordination 

Another rare side effect of buspirone is serotonin syndrome, which is when there are excessive levels of serotonin in the body. 

This can happen if buspirone is taken alone but is more likely if combined with other medicines that also raise serotonin levels.

Serotonin syndrome can lead to serious complications that may be life-threatening, so it’s important to contact emergency services if you think you’re experiencing this condition. 

Dosage and How to Take Buspirone

Buspirone is prescribed as an oral tablet and comes in doses of 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, and 30 mg. 

For managing generalized anxiety disorder, the typical starting dose is 15 mg per day, taken as two 7.5 mg oral tablets twice a day. 

Depending on how you respond, your doctor may increase the dose by 5 mg every few days — with a maximum buspirone dose of 60 mg per day. 

Most people who take buspirone find a dosage between 20 mg and 30 mg effective for treating their anxiety symptoms. 

It’s important that you follow the directions on the label carefully and take buspirone either with food each time, or always without food to keep the absorption consistent.

Don’t stop taking your buspirone tablets without consulting your doctor first. Your healthcare provider may want to slowly reduce your dosage before stopping the medication completely. 

If you don’t gradually stop taking buspirone, you may experience adverse effects and withdrawal symptoms — like increased anxiety, irritability, nausea, or fatigue. 

Stopping the medication abruptly can also make your anxiety more likely to return, sometimes even more intensely than before you started taking buspirone. 

Who Shouldn’t Take Buspirone? 

Buspirone is generally safe for most adults, but there are certain groups that this medication isn’t suitable for, including: 

• Individuals with a known allergy to buspirone or any of its ingredients: Before you start taking your first dose of buspirone, ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of the ingredients in the medication. This will help you avoid a potential allergic reaction and adverse health effects. 

• People with a history of kidney or liver disease: These organs are responsible for processing and removing medication from the body. If your kidneys or liver can’t filter buspirone out effectively, you may be at risk of having excessive concentrations in your system — which may lead to adverse side effects. 

• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding: It is unclear whether buspirone causes harm during pregnancy or if it passes through breast milk. Speak to your healthcare provider if you plan on becoming pregnant while using buspirone. They may recommend other treatments for anxiety during pregnancy and breastfeeding or suggest close monitoring if buspirone is truly needed.

• People using monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): These are a type of antidepressant that increase levels of mood-regulating chemicals in the brain by blocking an enzyme called monoamine oxidase. Using buspirone with MAOIs can lead to a dangerous increase in blood pressure, which may be life-threatening if left untreated. 

• Individuals using other antidepressant drugs: Using antidepressants like Prozac or Zoloft with buspirone may increase the risk of developing serotonin syndrome since both types of medications are designed to raise serotonin levels in the body. 

If you fall into any of these groups, inform your doctor before you start using buspirone. They may recommend a more suitable treatment option to help prevent any negative health risks. 

Other important considerations and precautions 

While buspirone can be used in combination with other medications, several drugs may negatively interact with it and increase the risk of adverse reactions. 

Some of these may include: 

• Diltiazem

• Verapamil 

• Cetirizine

• Erythromycin

• Haloperidol

It’s also advised to avoid drinking grapefruit juice when taking buspirone. This is because grapefruit juice may block certain enzymes that help break down buspirone, which could lead to a build-up of the medication in the body and adverse side effects. 

How Does Buspirone Compare to Other Anxiety Medications? 

Unlike benzodiazepines like Valium or Xanax — which work quickly but tend to cause drowsiness and dependency — buspirone does not make you sleepy and has a lower risk of addiction. 

Compared to other SSRIs like Zoloft and Lexapro, which are often first-choice treatments for different types of anxiety and depression, buspirone is mainly effective for managing GAD. 

If you’re experiencing depressive symptoms in addition to anxiety, your doctor will likely prescribe you other medications to use with buspirone to manage the condition more effectively. 

Buspirone is a good option for people looking for a non-sedating anxiety treatment with a lower risk of dependency. 

It may not be a suitable choice for other types of anxiety or if you’re looking for fast relief for your anxiety symptoms. 

When Should I Speak to My Doctor About Any Adverse Reactions to Buspirone? 

Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of the health issues below:

• Severe side effects: If you notice adverse or lasting side effects — like dizziness, confusion, or muscle stiffness — speak to your doctor as soon as possible. 

• Allergic reactions: Seek immediate medical attention if you develop signs of an allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing, itching, hives, or swelling of the face.

• Your anxiety symptoms are not improving or getting worse: If your anxiety symptoms don’t get better or worsen while taking buspirone, speak to your doctor so they can review and adjust your treatment.

Regular follow-ups with your doctor will help monitor your response to buspirone and ensure it manages your anxiety effectively. 

Where Can I Learn More About Buspirone and Other Anxiety Medications? 

If you’re concerned about your anxiety or want to know more about medications like buspirone, LifeMD can help. 

We can connect you with a team of healthcare professionals who can provide expert advice, treatment, and medication options to treat your anxiety.

Make your appointment today to receive expert guidance about your health from the comfort of your home.

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