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Buspirone - Uses - Dosages - Side Effects - Precautions

Buspirone: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is Buspirone?

Buspirone is an anxiolytic drug used to treat anxiety in patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It affects the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine in the brain and relieves anxiety. This medication reduces irritability and nervousness and helps you sleep better. Doctors do not prescribe it for everyday stress, but specifically to treat anxiety disorders. The dosage and the period of the treatment depend upon your condition and your reaction to the medication.

What are the uses of Buspirone?

Buspirone belongs to the anxiolytic class of drugs. These are its uses:

  • Buspirone treats anxiety disorders.
  • It reduces the symptoms of anxiety such as irritability, palpitations, and sleeplessness.
  • Furthermore, it helps the patient relax and brings clarity of thought.
  • This drug helps in reducing worry in patients with anxiety and depression.

Buspirone comes in the form of a tablet. You may take this medication with or without meals. It is advisable to follow a routine for the uniform absorption of the drug in the body.

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What are the side effects of Buspirone?

Doctors prescribe this medication after weighing the benefits with the risks of the side effects. However, if any of the following side effects persist, please consult your doctor so that they can change the dosage.

  • Dizziness.
  • Headache.
  • Fatigue.
  • Restlessness.
  • Nervousness.
  • Nausea.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Sleeplessness.

If you experience any of these side effects, please consult your doctor immediately. 

  • Shortness of breath.
  • Chest pain.
  • Irregular heartbeat.
  • Itching or swelling.
  • Bruising or bleeding.
  • Muscle stiffness.
  • Uncontrolled movements of the face, arms, and legs.
  • Tremors.

Doctors prescribe a dosage of 7.5 mg twice a day for adult patients and increase it gradually. Please inform your doctor if you are allergic to the drug. 

People suffering from kidney problems, liver problems, bipolar disorder, or Parkinson’s disease, and pregnant and breastfeeding women should take proper precautions while taking this medication. Therefore, it is crucial to share your entire medical history with the doctor.

Please consult our medical experts at Yashoda Hospitals for the treatment and management of anxiety disorders. They will provide you with all the necessary information on Buspirone, its uses, dosages, and side effects and precautions.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Buspirone

1. Does Buspirone work immediately?

Buspirone is a fast-acting medication, so it works on the symptoms of anxiety quickly. However, it takes 3-4 weeks of taking this medication every day to experience a marked difference in your condition. Therefore, you should follow a fixed schedule while taking Buspirone.

2. How does Buspirone make you feel?

Buspirone helps calm a patient with anxiety. However, it may make you feel dizzy, sleepy, and less alert. If you are taking this medication regularly, it is advisable to stay in touch with your doctor. They will keep a check on its effects on your health and make any necessary changes in the dosage.

3. Is Buspirone an antidepressant?

Buspirone is one of the most trusted antidepressants. It is effective in reducing the symptoms of anxiety in people with anxiety disorders or depression. This medication brings relief from agitation and irritability, helps you stay calm, and sleep better.

4. Is Buspirone a narcotic?

Buspirone is not a narcotic. Studies on humans have shown no dependence upon this drug or potential for abuse of this medication. Doctors recommend this drug after evaluating the patient for a history of drug abuse and keep a close watch for signs of drug tolerance.

5. Does Buspirone affect serotonin?

Buspirone works on a neurotransmitter in the brain called serotonin. The drug attaches to the serotonin receptors and reduces their action on certain parts of the brain. This helps in reducing anxiety in patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and helps improve their mood.

6. Does Buspirone help erectile dysfunction?

Although buspirone is used to treat anxiety, it may help in the treatment of sexual dysfunction. Per a study, a dosage of 20-80 mg buspirone per day for 4-weeks may show an improvement in erectile dysfunction.

7. Can Buspirone cause low blood sugar?

Studies conducted on healthy individuals to gauge the effects of buspirone on blood glucose levels did not reveal any significant effects on their fasting blood glucose. However, researchers observed a gradual decrease in glucose levels after 2-3 hours of administering the medication. This makes it a safe drug for diabetics.

8. Does Buspirone delay your period?

Usually, patients taking buspirone do not experience any serious side effects. However, some women might notice changes in their periods, such as heavy bleeding, missed periods, or painful stomach cramps before or during periods. Consult your doctor for a change in dosage if you are taking this medicine regularly.

9. What kind of drug is Buspirone?

Buspirone belongs to the azapirone class of drugs that includes antianxiety and antipsychotic medications. It affects the neurotransmitters in the brain by reducing their action, which helps reduce anxiety. Doctors prescribe this drug along with other medicines such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for treating symptoms of anxiety and depression.

10. Does Buspirone cause weight gain?

Buspirone treats anxiety in patients with anxiety disorders. It has fewer side effects than other antianxiety drugs. Weight gain or weight loss are some rare side effects of this medication during its long-term use. If you notice any significant change in your weight during the treatment, please consult your doctor.

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Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.