{"id":4315,"date":"2019-05-27T09:57:52","date_gmt":"2019-05-27T13:57:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=3336"},"modified":"2025-12-17T11:53:58","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T16:53:58","slug":"buspirone-vs-xanax","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/buspirone-vs-xanax\/","title":{"rendered":"Buspirone vs. Xanax: Differences and similarities explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are experiencing anxiety symptoms, you are certainly not alone: <\/span>40 million American adults<\/span><\/a>, which is about 18% of the population, have anxiety. <\/span>Buspirone<\/span><\/a> (the generic name for BuSpar, which is no longer manufactured as a brand-name drug) and <\/span>Xanax<\/span><\/a> (alprazolam) are two FDA-approved anti-anxiety drugs that are popular treatment options for generalized anxiety disorder. Although <\/span>buspirone<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Xanax<\/span><\/a> are both <\/span>anxiolytics<\/span><\/a> (drugs used in the treatment of anxiety), they have notable differences.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Buspirone vs. Xanax: What\u2019s the difference?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Difference<\/b><\/td>\nBuspirone<\/b><\/td>\nXanax<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nAnti-anxiety medication (non-benzodiazepine)<\/span><\/td>\nBenzodiazepine<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nGeneric only<\/span><\/td>\nBrand and generic available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the generic name?<\/b><\/p>\n

What is the brand name?<\/b><\/td>\n

Brand-name BuSpar is no longer available in the United States<\/span><\/td>\nAlprazolam is the generic version of Xanax<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nOral tablet\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nImmediate-release oral tablet, extended-release oral tablet, orally disintegrating tablet, and oral solution<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\nInitial dose is<\/span><\/a> 7.5 mg twice daily but may slowly increase if needed<\/span><\/p>\n

Average dose is a total of 20 to 30 mg daily in divided doses (example: 15 mg twice daily for a total daily dose of 30 mg)<\/span><\/td>\n

Usual range:<\/span><\/a> 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg taken 3 times daily; dosage varies<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nShort-term or long-term use; consult a healthcare provider<\/span><\/td>\nShort-term use; some patients use longer under healthcare provider\u2019s supervision<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdults<\/span><\/p>\n

Children 6 years and older (<\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/td>\n

Adults<\/span><\/p>\n

Children 7 years and older (off-label)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

More information<\/b><\/td>\nWhat is buspirone?<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nWhat is Xanax?<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

How does buspirone work?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Buspirone is an anti-anxiety medication and is not related to Xanax chemically. Buspirone is in a drug category, or class, of its own, and not related to any other medications used for anxiety. The way buspirone works is not completely understood. We do know that it is different from benzodiazepines like Xanax. Studies have shown that buspirone works on serotonin and dopamine receptors.<\/span><\/p>\n

How does Xanax work?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Xanax is part of a large class of prescription medications known as <\/span>benzodiazepines<\/span><\/a>. Benzodiazepines work by increasing activity at receptors for a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This all takes place in the CNS (central nervous system). Benzodiazepines produce a relaxing, calming effect and can even help promote sleep when taken at bedtime. Xanax is a <\/span>controlled substance<\/span><\/a> and is classified as a<\/span> Schedule IV drug<\/span><\/a>. This means it has some potential for abuse and dependence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Uses of buspirone and Xanax<\/span><\/h2>\n

Buspirone and Xanax are commonly used in the <\/span>management of anxiety disorders<\/span><\/a>, with Xanax providing faster (acute) relief and buspirone typically used for long-term relief.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Xanax is also used to treat panic disorder, or panic attacks, with or without agoraphobia (fear of crowded places, or fear of leaving the home).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Buspirone and Xanax are both FDA approved for use in adults. Some healthcare providers may prescribe one of these drugs in older children or adolescents for anxiety. However, this is considered an off-label (non-FDA-approved) use.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is buspirone or Xanax more effective?<\/span><\/h2>\n

In a study comparing<\/span> buspirone and Xanax<\/span><\/a>, both drugs were found to be equally effective in treating symptoms of anxiety. Buspirone was found to have fewer side effects and fewer withdrawal symptoms than Xanax.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another<\/span> study<\/span><\/a> looked at the effect on daytime sleepiness between buspirone versus Xanax, versus Valium (<\/span>diazepam<\/span><\/a>). The study found buspirone to cause the least drowsiness of the three drugs. By the end of the first week of treatment, the difference between the drugs in terms of daytime sleepiness was not significant, but people who took Xanax or Valium had slower reaction times on a visual reaction timed performance test. The authors concluded that although the drugs are similarly effective, buspirone may be better in patients where daytime alertness is critical.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to <\/span>StatPearls<\/span><\/i><\/a>, some of the considerations between the two drugs include:<\/span><\/p>\n