Buspirone (generic for Buspar®)

Buspirone is the generic equivalent of Buspar®.

By law, a generic drug must be the same as its brand name counterpart in terms of active ingredient, dosage, safety, effectiveness, strength, stability, and quality. A generic may, however, differ in its inactive ingredients (i.e. flavoring, fillers, and preservatives).

Buspirone (Buspar®) can does come with serious warnings. These include:

• Serotonin syndrome—a rare, but potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when there’s too much serotonin in the brain

• High blood pressure when combined with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

• Withdrawal symptoms

If this concerns you, speak with your doctor or pharmacist about your perceived risk and other treatment options that exist.

Buspirone is an anxiolytic, or anti-anxiety medication. How it works, or it’s mechanism of action, to treat anxiety is unknown. Unlike other common anxiolytics, buspirone doesn’t help with seizures or relax muscles. The drug isn’t associated with the strong sedating effects typically seen with other anxiolytics either.

The most common side effects of buspirone include:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

• Drowsiness

• Nausea

• Headache

• Nervousness

• Blurred vision

Side effects may improve over time as your body adjusts to the medicine.

This list doesn’t represent all possible side effects (or serious side effects) of buspirone. If you’re experiencing any ongoing, bothersome adverse effect(s), tell your healthcare provider right away.

If you’d like to learn more, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also has a helpful medication guide for buspirone here.

Buspirone is FDA approved for the treatment of:

• Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

• Short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety

Buspirone can interact with some medicines and supplements. It’s always recommended to give both your doctor and pharmacy an updated list of everything you’re taking, so drug interactions can be identified.

Some medicines and supplements buspirone can interact with include:

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): selegiline, phenelzine, linezolid, methylene blue, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid

• Benzodiazepines and barbiturates: alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam, diazepam (Valium), phenobarbital

• Opioids: codeine, hydromorphone, tramadol

• St. John’s Wort

• Antidepressants: sertraline, escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine

• Grapefruit juice

• Certain anti-infective drugs: erythromycin, itraconazole, rifampin, ketoconazole, ritonavir

• Anti-psychotics: haloperidol, aripiprazole

This list doesn’t represent all the drugs that may not be safe to take with buspirone. If you’re unsure whether a certain drug or supplement can be taken with buspirone, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. The FDA also has a helpful medication guide for buspirone here.

If you accidentally miss your dose of buspirone, take the dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose (within 2 hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Food can affect how buspirone is absorbed by your body. You should take buspirone in a consistent manner—either always take your pill with food or always take your pill without food.

During pregnancy. Because there isn’t adequate data regarding the reproductive safety of buspirone, it’s generally recommended to discontinue this medication during pregnancy.

While breastfeeding. Similarly, there’s limited information available on the long-term use of buspirone during breastfeeding.

Always let your provider know if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, as switching to an alternate drug is usually preferred.

It’s recommended to avoid or limit the use of alcohol when taking buspirone. Alcohol can intensify the side effects of buspirone, including dizziness and sleepiness.