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Description of Buspar
Buspirone is the active ingredient in Buspar, and it belongs to the therapeutic category of anti-anxiety drugs. You can buy Buspar in the form of oral tablets, available in 5mg, 10mg, 15mg and 30mg strengths. Since these are scored tablets, you can bisect them in order to divide the dose. Other inactive ingredients present in the tablets include colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, lactose, sodium starch glycolate and microcrystalline cellulose. Buspar 30mg tablets also contain iron oxide.
Indications & Dosage of Buspar
As an anti-anxiety drug, Buspar is used for treating anxiety disorders and their symptoms, including fear, irritability, tension, sweating, pounding heartbeat and dizziness. The medicine works by affecting certain chemicals in the patient’s brain so that they become balanced and anxiety can be reduced.
Initially, you will be advised to take Buspar 15mg per day. The dosage can be increased by 5mg per day at a gap of every 2-3 days. The maximum dosage that a patient can receive is Buspar 60mg per day.
You can take the tablets with or without food, but always take it either with food or without food every time you take a dose in order to maintain consistency in your medication schedule. Do not take it with food one time, and without food the next time.
Side Effects & Interactions of Buspar
Common side effects that Buspar patients may experience include restlessness, blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, nervousness, tiredness, upset stomach, nausea, trouble concentrating or sleep problems. These are short-lived side effects of the drug and are supposed to subside on their own within a few days of starting the treatment. However, you must notify your doctor at once if any of these persist or worsen.
Some serious side effects of the drug include lightheadedness, fainting, uneven or fast heart rate, easy bruising or bleeding, chest pain, shortness of breath, unusual behavior or thoughts, depression, or lack of coordination or balance.
In some cases, Buspar may lead to movement disorders in some patients, identified by muscle stiffness, tremors, jerky walking movements or mask-like expressions on the face. Also seek medical attention immediately if you suffer from a condition termed as tardive dyskinesia. Symptoms of such a condition include unusual or uncontrolled movements of the legs, arms, tongue, mouth or face.
Do not buy Buspar if you are already taking any of these drugs:
- MAO inhibitors (e.g. isocarboxazid or linezolid)
- Antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline or trazodone)
- Benzodiazepines (e.g. lorazepam or diazepam)
- Azole antifungals (e.g. ketoconazole or itraconazole)
- Macrolides (e.g. erythromycin)
- Anticonvulsants (e.g. phenytoin or carbamazepine)
- Corticosteroids (e.g. dexamethasone)
As Buspar causes dizziness, inform your doctor if you are already taking any other drugs that cause the same effect. Such medicines include anti-seizure drugs (e.g. valproic acid), antihistamines (e.g. diphenhydramine), sleeping pills (e.g. flurazepam), narcotic pain relievers (e.g. codeine), anti-psychiatric drugs (e.g. risperidone) or muscle relaxants.
Warnings & Precautions of Buspar
Do not buy Buspar if you have a liver or kidney disease, or if you have a history of Parkinson’s disease or bipolar disorder.
As this drug causes dizziness, do not drive a vehicle, operate a machine, or do any such activity that requires complete alertness. Also avoid alcohol during treatment, as it may worsen the side effect.