Buspar

Why Doctors Recommended the Use of Buspar

Buspar is a medicine that is taken to treat anxiety by many patients, but its exact mechanism of action is not well understood.

There are suggestions that it includes specific effects on neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin. Basically, this medication may work by stimulating their receptors on nerves, thus, altering the chemical messages received by nerves.

Buspar also has its minor effects on dopamine receptors, but it doesn’t contribute too much to their action. The best part is that its intake doesn’t cause any sedation.

Nowadays, this medicine is often used to manage different anxiety disorders, and it’s effective among people with generalized anxiety of moderate and limited degrees. Its intake is not so effective among patients with panic disorders, severe anxiety and OCD.

Sometimes Buspar improves the symptoms of depression in users with generalized anxiety disorders.

Expected Adverse Effects

The intake of this medication is well tolerated, but some patients may end up with such symptoms as:

• Nausea and dizziness;
• Headaches and nervousness;
• Insomnia and lightheadedness;
• Excitement and diarrhea;
• Hostility and weakness;
• Tremors and skin rash.

Doses and Available Preparations

Buspar is available in the form of standard pills that come in different doses, from 5 mg to 30 mg. When it comes to regular doses, a normal one is 10-15 mg taken on a daily basis, and this amount can be divided into 2-3 doses.

This dosage can be increased until the most effective one is determined, but the maximal dosage is 60 mg taken on a daily basis, while most patients are prescribed to take 15-30 mg.

Unwanted Drug Combinations

This medication may potentially interact with some others, including MAO inhibitors and pills taken to treat psychiatric disorders.

If patients combined them, their blood pressure may increase, and the same unwanted reaction is observed when Buspar is taken with Zyvox.

Patients should avoid taking it with some antidepressants, otherwise, they risk ending up with abnormal liver enzymes in their blood. When this medicine is combined with Coumadin or other blood thinners, people are exposed to an increased risk of bleeding.

Besides, they should avoid drinking grapefruit juice when undergoing this treatment because it may increase the amount of Buspar active ingredients in their blood, thus, resulting in unwanted side effects.

List of Important Precautions

Before starting this treatment, patients should tell physicians everything about their allergies and such medical conditions as liver and kidney disorders, bipolar or other mental disorders and so on.

The intake of Buspar can make them feel dizzy and drowsy, so they also need to refuse from doing any activity that requires their attention to stay safe. Finally, people need to avoid drinking alcohol and stay monitored by their doctors.

Pregnant and nursing women should be careful with the use of Buspar.