When Is It Prescribed?

BuSpar (buspirone) is prescribed to treat:

• Fear, anxiety, and tension associated with anxiety disorders (it is not used to treat everyday stress)

For some people, BuSpar (buspirone) is a good alternative to benzodiapines since it does not act as a sleep agent like some other antianxiety medications.

BuSpar (buspirone) works by creating changes in important brain chemicals (e.g., dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin), resulting in a calming effect.

This medication may also be prescribed for purposes other than what’s listed above.

When Will My Medication Start to Work?

Buspar (buspirone) usually takes about two to four weeks to begin working. The time it takes to experience the full effects of Buspar depends on dosage and varies from person to person. Do not stop taking this medication unless your doctor or therapist tells you it is alright to do so.

Are There Any Drug Interactions?

Before taking BuSpar (buspirone), tell your prescribing doctor or therapist if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as Nardil (phenelzine), Marplan (isocarboxazid), or Parnate (tranylcypromine) within the last 14 days.

Buspar (buspirone) may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor or therapist about any other prescriptions or over-the-counter medications you are taking, and do not take any other medication without their approval.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Issues

BuSpar (buspirone) is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take BuSpar (buspirone) without first talking to your doctor or therapist if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

BuSpar (buspirone) passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor or therapist if you are breast-feeding.

Other Important Information and Precautions

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or therapist if you have any of the following:

• Had an allergic reaction to BuSpar (buspirone) in the past



• Kidney or liver disease



• An alcohol or drug addiction, or have had such as problem in the past

You may not be able to take BuSpar (buspirone), or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment, if you have any of the conditions listed above.

If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side-effects from BuSpar (buspirone) and may require a lower dose of this medication.

BuSpar (buspirone) has not been approved for use in children younger than 18 years of age. However, it is sometimes used to treat children under certain circumstances.

In addition to the information listed above, there may be other important issues or precautions related to this medication. For further information, you can ask your prescribing doctor or therapist

Side-Effect Information

Only some people will experience side-effects -- and no one experiences them in exactly the same way. If you experience any side-effects, contact your doctor or therapist right away.

The following list may not contain all of the side-effects associated with this medication:

Side-effects and risks other than those listed above may also occur. Talk to your prescribing doctor or therapist about any potential or existing side-effects that you’re concerned about.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by 4therapy.com is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is made to that effect.

4therapy.com’s medication information is a reference resource designed as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge, and judgment of healthcare practitioners in patient care. 4therapy.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information 4therapy.com provides.

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