Buspirone Side Effects You Should Know

Key Takeaways

• Buspirone treats generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) but may cause side effects ranging from mild dizziness to rare, but serious reactions requiring emergency care.
• Most common reactions, like lightheadedness or nausea, are temporary and resolve as your body adjusts to the medication.
• A psychiatric provider can evaluate your symptoms, review your health history, and determine whether buspirone is the right course of treatment for managing your GAD effectively.

Buspirone side effects are an important consideration if you’re starting this common anti-anxiety medication. While buspirone is often prescribed for GAD, like any prescription mental health treatment, it can cause both mild and more serious reactions.

Understanding what to expect can help you feel more prepared and confident in your treatment plan. Tracking your symptoms and communicating openly with your healthcare provider ensures your care is tailored to your unique needs.

What is Buspirone and How Does it Work?

Buspirone is a generic anti-anxiety medication prescribed for treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Research in the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services suggests buspirone effectively manages GAD but not other anxiety disorders.

Buspirone medication works in the brain by altering serotonin levels, which is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood. This process helps reduce anxiety symptoms like restlessness and racing thoughts.

Key points about buspirone:

• Targets serotonin pathways to help manage GAD symptoms
• May not be effective for other types of anxiety disorders based on current clinical evidence

Note: Buspar is a discontinued brand-name version of the generic, buspirone. However, it is often still used casually in reference to buspirone.

What are the Common Side Effects of Buspirone?

Buspirone helps manage anxiety, but there are some adverse reactions to be aware of before taking this prescription medication. Note that most buspirone side effects are mild and often resolve as your body gets used to the drug in your system. Nevertheless, awareness might help you be less anxious if you do experience any symptoms.

The most common side effect reported from buspirone is dizziness or lightheadedness. Dizziness or lightheadedness can start when you first begin buspirone, but it can also happen if your dosage is adjusted too quickly.

Common known reactions to buspirone may include:

• Dizziness
• Head pain
• Queasiness/vomiting
• Unease or exhilaration
• Lightheadedness or drowsiness
• Foggy sight
• Trouble focusing

Most of these are usually mild and don't last long. If they persist or worsen, you should contact your prescribing doctor immediately, as they could be signs of a more serious problem.

A less common side effect that can indirectly occur is weight gain from buspirone. It doesn't necessarily cause weight gain, but its other side effects may impact reasons why weight gain can occur.

When Do Buspirone Side Effects Start and How Long Do They Last?

Buspirone side effects typically appear within the first few days of starting treatment. Most people notice dizziness or nausea during the initial adjustment period. These common reactions usually fade within two to four weeks.

Dosage adjustments can trigger new side effects temporarily. If your doctor increases your dose, you may experience renewed dizziness or lightheadedness for several days.

Individual metabolism factors influence how long side effects persist. Your age, overall health, and other medications can affect how quickly your body adapts to buspirone. If symptoms persist beyond a few weeks, consult your healthcare provider.

Which Buspirone Side Effects Need Immediate Medical Attention?

Despite the potential to alleviate anxiety, you should still use caution when taking buspirone, as the drug does carry certain risks of typically rare, but potentially severe, adverse side effects.

More serious side effects include:

• Chest pain
• Fast heartbeat
• Fainting
• Confusion
• Agitation
• Unusual behavior
• Hallucinations
• Seizure
• Fever with stiff muscles and sweating
• Rash on the skin accompanied by itching/swelling (especially face/tongue/throat)

If any of these occur while taking buspirone, seek medical attention immediately, as they might indicate a life-threatening condition like serotonin syndrome, which requires emergency treatment.

"Buspar's most serious side effects can make you feel like you're having a heart attack, chest pain, and a fast heart rate. Or other neurological symptoms include numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness. Cold symptoms like sore throat and rashes may also appear."

‍– Talkspace therapist Meaghan Rice, PsyD, LPC

How Can You Safely Manage or Reduce Buspirone Side Effects?

Fortunately, there are a few tips you can use to manage the side effects of buspirone.

1. Take at night: Some people may find that taking buspirone at bedtime on an empty stomach an hour before sleep can help manage daytime drowsiness.
   
2. Stay hydrated: Consuming fluids regularly can help counteract dizziness or feelings of faintness that might be caused by dehydration. This can occur as a result of increased urination associated with taking buspirone.
   
3. Practice self-care: Self-care acts like yoga, meditation, eating healthy, deep breathing exercises, and working out can be an excellent way to manage anxiety and reduce stress. If you're experiencing buspirone side effects, be kind to yourself and make sure you're taking whatever steps you can to eliminate stress and anxiety from your days.
   
4. Change your dose: If needed, you can talk with your prescribing doctor about changing doses, as a lower dosage might tend to have fewer adverse reactions. This way, you can adjust accordingly and still maintain efficacy without sacrificing too much in terms of unwanted symptoms. Just make sure to avoid a missed dose, as this can be dangerous for buspirone withdrawal if done frequently.

"Each anxiety medication lands on people differently. We need to be able to evaluate the pros and cons for us. But sometimes, a professional therapist can help us do that evaluation so we can put healthier lifestyle factors in place to manage the side effects. Deep breathing, grounding exercises, and mindfulness might aid in getting through heart attack-like or neurological symptoms. Reducing stress and increasing health can help us cope with cold symptoms."

‍– Talkspace therapist Meaghan Rice, PsyD, LPC

Is Buspirone Right for You? Talkspace Can Help

Deciding whether buspirone is the right fit for your anxiety is not a decision you should make alone. Understanding how different anxiety medications work, and whether they suit your specific symptoms and health history, requires professional guidance.

Talkspace psychiatric providers take the time to evaluate your needs, review your medical background, and build a personalized treatment plan that actually works for you. Through convenient online sessions, you get consistent, expert psychiatric care without the hassle of in-person appointments.

Take the guesswork out of anxiety treatment. Connect with a Talkspace psychiatric provider and get the clarity you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you drink alcohol while taking buspirone?

No, you should avoid alcohol while taking buspirone. Combining alcohol with buspirone can intensify the side effects of buspirone, such as dizziness, drowsiness, and impaired coordination. This combination may also increase the risk of serious reactions.

How long do buspirone side effects usually last?

Most buspirone side effects improve within two to four weeks as your body adjusts. Contact your healthcare provider if symptoms persist or worsen beyond this period.

Does buspirone cause weight gain?

Buspirone doesn't directly cause weight gain. However, some Buspar side effects may indirectly contribute to weight changes. For example, nausea might reduce appetite initially, while improved anxiety symptoms could normalize eating patterns. Monitor changes and discuss concerns with your healthcare provider.

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

If you miss a dose of buspirone, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it’s almost time for your next dose to avoid doubling up. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose, and consult your doctor if you frequently miss doses.

Are buspirone side effects different from Buspar side effects?

No, buspirone side effects and Buspar side effects are identical. Buspar was simply the discontinued brand name for the same medication now sold as generic buspirone. The active ingredient and potential adverse reactions remain unchanged.

Sources

1. Howland RH. Buspirone: Back to the future. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services. 2015;53(11):21-24. doi:10.3928/02793695-20151022-01. https://journals.healio.com/doi/10.3928/02793695-20151022-01. Accessed March 13, 2023.

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