What is Buspirone? Uses, warnings & side effects

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.

The doctor may need to change the dose during the first weeks of treatment to find the most effective dose.

You may take this medicine with or without food, but take it the same way each time.

You may need to take this medicine for 1 or 2 weeks before you begin to feel better.

Store this medicine at room temperature in a child-proof container.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.

Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to buspirone.

Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Your doctor may need to examine you or perform blood tests to monitor the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding,

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, particularly any kidney or liver problems. 

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. The doctor may need to slowly decrease the dose before stopping it completely.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use before taking buspirone.

Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

Do not take buspirone if you are also using an MAO inhibitor (MAOI). Buspirone is not safe to take until any MAO inhibitor has been stopped for at least two weeks.

Some drugs increase the risk of buspirone side effects or decrease the effectiveness of buspirone treatment, so tell the doctor if you’re taking:

• The blood pressure medications verapamil or diltiazem

• The antibiotic erythromycin

• The antifungal medication itraconazole

• Seizure medications such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, or phenobarbital

• The corticosteroid dexamethasone

• The tuberculosis drug rifampin

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking buspirone.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy such as sleeping pills, antihistamines, narcotic pain relievers, or sedatives.

Do not drink alcohol while you are using buspirone or it will worsen side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness.