Medication Guide
Buspirone (BuSpar) Side Effects and Uses
A plain-language guide to Buspirone, a non-benzodiazepine anti-anxiety medication. Learn how it helps, what it treats, how to take it and which side effects to know about.
Quick answer. Buspirone (BuSpar) is a non-benzodiazepine anti-anxiety medication. Common buspirone side effects include dizziness or lightheadedness, nausea, headache and feeling nervous or keyed up early in treatment. The rare but serious ones, and when to get help, are listed under buspirone side effects below. Never stop or change your dose on your own.
How Buspirone Can Help You
Buspirone is a daily medicine for anxiety. It does not work like Xanax or other benzos. It acts on serotonin receptors to slowly turn down worry, tension and a short temper. It does not make most people sleepy, and it is not habit-forming. So it is a common first choice for ongoing worry, most of all if you want to avoid a medicine you could come to depend on.
Buspirone does not work within the hour. It builds up over time with steady daily use. Some people notice a change in the first couple of weeks, and fuller benefit often takes several weeks. Progress usually feels like worrying less on autopilot, carrying less tension in your body and bouncing back faster after stress.
It works best when you take it every day, not only on hard days. If you live in California, we can talk about buspirone and other choices in a medication management visit by telehealth. Your prescriber decides if it fits you.
Uses for Buspirone
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Short-term relief of anxiety symptoms
- Added to an antidepressant for depression (off-label)
- Anxiety mixed with depression (off-label)
- Easing sexual side effects from some antidepressants (off-label)
- Irritability and agitation (off-label)
How to Take Buspirone
Your prescriber decides your dose and schedule and may adjust it over time. Take buspirone at the same times each day. Food changes how much your body absorbs, so take it the same way each time, always with food or always without. Avoid large amounts of grapefruit juice, which can raise buspirone levels.
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless your next dose is soon. Never double up. Buspirone is not a controlled substance and does not cause dependence, but you should still take it exactly as directed. It is not a rescue medicine for sudden anxiety. Talk with your prescriber before you stop or change it.
Buspirone Side Effects
Common Side Effects
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Feeling nervous or keyed up early in treatment
- Drowsiness or tiredness
- Trouble sleeping
- Blurred vision
Serious: Get Medical Help Promptly
- Serotonin syndrome with other serotonin drugs. Signs are agitation, fever, a fast heartbeat and twitching.
- Allergic reaction (rash, hives, swelling, trouble breathing).
- Chest pain or an irregular heartbeat.
- Restlessness or unusual movements that do not settle.
How Buspirone Works
Buspirone is in its own group of anti-anxiety medicines. It acts on serotonin receptors, and it also has some effect on dopamine. It does not work on GABA the way benzodiazepines do. That is why it does not cause a quick calm, a high or withdrawal.
Because the change is slow and steady, it helps most with ongoing, everyday worry. It is less useful for a sudden spike of fear. Many people take it along with therapy. Our generalized anxiety disorder page explains the other parts of care.
Before You Start Buspirone
Tell your prescriber about every medicine and supplement you take. Buspirone should not be used with an MAOI, an older type of antidepressant. The mix can raise blood pressure. Some drugs for germs, fungus or the heart can change how much buspirone is in your blood. Other serotonin drugs add a small risk of serotonin syndrome.
Also share any liver or kidney problems. Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant, plan to be or breastfeed. It is best to avoid alcohol while you take buspirone. Wait to drive until you know how it affects you, since some people feel dizzy or sleepy at first.
Is Buspirone Right for You?
Only a full evaluation with a prescriber can tell you if Buspirone fits your symptoms, history and goals. Harpal Singh, PMHNP-BC offers psychiatric evaluations and ongoing medication management by telehealth anywhere in California.
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Related Medication Guides
Other guides in the same group, written the same simple way. Being in one group does not mean you can swap one medicine for another.
- Alprazolam (Xanax), benzodiazepine
- Clonazepam (Klonopin), benzodiazepine
- Diazepam (Valium), benzodiazepine
- Lorazepam (Ativan), benzodiazepine
FAQ
Questions About Buspirone
Is buspirone addictive like Xanax?
No. Buspirone is not a controlled substance, and it does not cause a high, dependence or withdrawal. That is one of the main reasons prescribers choose it for long-term anxiety care.
How long does buspirone take to work?
Some people notice a change within the first couple of weeks. Fuller benefit often takes several weeks of daily use. It is not meant for quick relief, so give it steady time to build up.
Can I take buspirone only when I feel anxious?
No. Buspirone only works when you take it every day on a schedule. It does not give fast relief the way a benzodiazepine does, so taking it now and then will not help much.
Will buspirone make me sleepy or foggy?
For most people, no. Buspirone is much less sedating than benzodiazepines, so many people take it during the workday. Some feel mildly dizzy or drowsy at first, and this often fades within a week or two.
Can buspirone be taken with an antidepressant?
Often, yes. Buspirone is commonly added to an SSRI or SNRI to ease anxiety that is left over. Your prescriber watches for rare serotonin side effects, so always share your full medicine list.
Can I drink alcohol while taking buspirone?
It is best to avoid it. Alcohol can add to dizziness and drowsiness, and it tends to make anxiety worse over time. Talk with your prescriber about how much you drink.
How do I stop taking buspirone?
Talk with your prescriber first. Buspirone does not cause the withdrawal that benzodiazepines can, but your anxiety may come back if you stop. Your prescriber can help you plan the change and watch how you feel.
Can I get buspirone by telehealth in California?
Yes, it can be. Buspirone is not a controlled drug, so it can be prescribed by video after a first visit. At Mindful Sewa, visits happen by secure telehealth video from anywhere in California. Your prescriber decides if it is a good fit for you.