Buspirone

Buspirone is used to treat anxiety. Buspirone is in a class of medications called anxiolytics. It works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain.

Buspirone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. Take twice daily and take consistently, either always with food or always without food each time. 

Take buspirone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor may tell you to take a portion of a tablet. If so, hold the tablet between your thumbs and index fingers close to the appropriate tablet score (groove). Then, with the tablet score facing you, apply pressure and snap the tablet segments apart.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of buspirone and gradually increase your dose, not more often than once every 2 to 3 days. It may take several weeks before you reach a dose that works for you.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking buspirone,

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this drug, any part of this drug, or any other drugs, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the following medications or have stopped taking them within the past two weeks: monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, phenelzine, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.
• some medications should not be taken with buspirone. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with buspirone. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting buspirone with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking buspirone, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
• the following nonprescription product may interact with buspirone: cimetidine. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking this medication before you start taking buspirone. Do not start this medication while taking buspirone without discussing with your healthcare provider.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease or a history of alcohol or drug abuse.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking buspirone, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking buspirone.
• you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
• remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug. Do not drink alcohol while taking buspirone.

Avoid drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice and eating large amounts of grapefruit while taking buspirone.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for 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.

Buspirone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• dizziness
• nausea, diarrhea
• headache
• excitement
• confusion
• fatigue
• nervousness
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• feelings of anger or hostility
• lightheadedness
• weakness
• numbness

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• rash, hives, itching, or swelling of the face, eyes, mouth, throat, tongue, or lips
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• blurred vision
• uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
• agitation, fever, sweating, dizziness, flushing, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, shivering, severe muscle stiffness or twitching, seizures, hallucinations, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature, away from light, excess heat, and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• nausea, vomiting
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• blurred vision

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking buspirone.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

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