Buspar Vs. Buspirone: Drug Comparison

BuSpar^® (buspirone) is an anxiolytic medication used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly serotonin and dopamine. Unlike benzodiazepines, it does not cause sedation or have a significant risk of dependence. Its FDA-approved indication is for the management of anxiety disorders, and it is sometimes used off-label for conditions like depression or anxiety-related symptoms in other psychiatric disorders. BuSpar is available in tablet form, typically taken two or three times daily. Common side effects include dizziness, headaches, and nausea, and it can interact with MAO inhibitors and other serotonergic drugs.

Buspirone is the active ingredient in the brand-name medication BuSpar^®. The information below is about brand name BuSpar. According to the FDA, “Generic medicines use the same active ingredients as brand-name medicines and work the same way, so they have the same risks and benefits as the brand-name medicines.”

BuSpar (buspirone) is an anxiolytic medication used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly serotonin and dopamine. Unlike benzodiazepines, it does not cause sedation or have a significant risk of dependence. Its FDA-approved indication is for the management of anxiety disorders, and it is sometimes used off-label for conditions like depression or anxiety-related symptoms in other psychiatric disorders. BuSpar is available in tablet form, typically taken two or three times daily. Common side effects include dizziness, headaches, and nausea, and it can interact with MAO inhibitors and other serotonergic drugs.

Antianxiety agent

Antianxiety agent

BuSpar (buspirone) is indicated:

• For the management of anxiety disorders or the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety

BuSpar (buspirone) is indicated:

• For the management of anxiety disorders or the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety

• Typically taken orally twice or three times daily

• Comes in 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, and 30 mg tablets

• Typically taken orally twice or three times daily

• Comes in 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, and 30 mg tablets

The more commonly observed untoward events associated with the use of BuSpar not seen at an equivalent incidence among placebo-treated patients include:

• Dizziness

• Nausea

• Headache

• Nervousness

• Lightheadedness

• Excitement

The more commonly observed untoward events associated with the use of BuSpar not seen at an equivalent incidence among placebo-treated patients include:

• Dizziness

• Nausea

• Headache

• Nervousness

• Lightheadedness

• Excitement

• Hypersensitive to buspirone hydrochloride

• Drug interactions: MAO inhibitors, amitriptyline, diazepam, haloperidol, nefazodone, trazodone, triazolam/flurazepam, other psychotropics, inhibitors and inducers of cytochrome P450 3A4, diltiazem and verapamil, erythromycin, grapefruit juice, itraconazole, rifampin, and others

• Hypersensitive to buspirone hydrochloride

• Drug interactions: MAO inhibitors, amitriptyline, diazepam, haloperidol, nefazodone, trazodone, triazolam/flurazepam, other psychotropics, inhibitors and inducers of cytochrome P450 3A4, diltiazem and verapamil, erythromycin, grapefruit juice, itraconazole, rifampin, and others

• The administration of buspirone to a patient taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) may pose a hazard

• Because buspirone has no established antipsychotic activity, it should not be employed in lieu of appropriate antipsychotic treatment

• Interference with cognitive and motor performance

• Potential for withdrawal reactions in sedative/hypnotic/anxiolytic drug-dependent patients

• Possible concerns related to buspirone's binding to dopamine receptors

• Pregnancy: This drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed

• Breastfeeding: Administration to nursing women should be avoided if clinically possible

• The administration of buspirone to a patient taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) may pose a hazard

• Because buspirone has no established antipsychotic activity, it should not be employed in lieu of appropriate antipsychotic treatment

• Interference with cognitive and motor performance

• Potential for withdrawal reactions in sedative/hypnotic/anxiolytic drug-dependent patients

• Possible concerns related to buspirone's binding to dopamine receptors

• Pregnancy: This drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed

• Breastfeeding: Administration to nursing women should be avoided if clinically possible

*This information is from the label for brand name BuSpar^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Buspirone, the active ingredient in BuSpar, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient buspirone.

*This information is from the label for brand name BuSpar^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Buspirone, the active ingredient in BuSpar, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient buspirone.