Buspirone
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Mental Health Drugs
- Bupropion
- SNRIs
- SSRIs
- MAOIs
- Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
- Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS)
- Lithium
- Typical Antipsychotics
- Atypical Antipsychotics
- Trazodone
- Buspirone
- Mirtazapine
- CNS Stimulants
- Zolpidem
- Benzodiazepines
- Barbiturates
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
- Barbiturates (Old)
- Benzodiazepines (Old)
- Lithium (Old)
- Bupropion (Old)
- SNRIs (Old)
- MAOIs (Old)
- Amphetamines (Old)
- Typical Antipsychotics (Old)
Summary
Buspirone is a medication that works by activating serotonin receptors in the brain. It is not a benzodiazepine.
Buspirone is used to treat anxiety disorders. It has a delayed onset of action, taking about 2 weeks to start working.
Common side effects include headache and dizziness. Importantly, buspirone does NOT cause addiction or sedation like many other anti-anxiety drugs. This makes it a safer option for many patients.
Key Points
- Buspirone (BuSpar)
- Mechanism
- Activates Serotonin Receptors
- A partial serotonin agonist
- Nonbenzodiazepine
- Does not act on GABA receptors like benzodiazepines do, meaning it has less sedative effects and a lower risk of dependence
- Buspirone is considered an atypical antianxiolytic
- Activates Serotonin Receptors
- Clinical Use
- Treats Anxiety
- Including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), OCD, PTSD, and social anxiety
- Delayed Onset (2 weeks)
- It can take several weeks for the effects of buspirone to be seen
- Not appropriate for panic attacks or PRN use
- Instruct patient starting buspirone to take the medication as prescribed, even if they don’t notice a difference at first
- Treats Anxiety
- Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Does NOT cause sedation
- Does NOT cause addiction
- Nausea/vomiting
- Patient can take with food to minimize GI upset
- Restlessness, nervousness, agitation
- Mechanism