BuSpar

BuSpar is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of anxiety disorders. BuSpar belongs to a group of drugs called anxiolytics. It is unknown exactly how it works, but some studies have shown that BuSpar works by changing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, serotonin and dopamine.

This medication comes in tablet form and is usually taken 2 or 3 times a day. You may take BuSpar either with or without food, but take it consistently, either always with food or always without food.

Common side effects of BuSpar include nausea, headache, and lightheadedness.

This medication can cause blurred vision, drowsiness, and dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how BuSpar affects you.

Brand name BuSpar tablets are no longer available. Generic versions are made available by several manufacturers.

BuSpar is a prescription medication used to treat anxiety disorders. It is also used for short-term treatment of symptoms related to anxiety. Sometimes, BuSpar is used to treat symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

Serious side effects have been reported with BuSpar. See the “BuSpar Precautions” section.

Common side effects of BuSpar include the following:

• upset stomach
• vomiting
• constipation
• diarrhea
• stomach pain
• headache
• dry mouth
• depression
• excitement
• fatigue
• nervousness
• difficulty sleeping
• lightheadedness
• weakness
• numbness

This is not a complete list of BuSpar side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Barbita, Luminal, Solfoton), and phenytoin (Dilantin)
• dexamethasone (Decadron, others)
• diazepam (Valium)
• diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac)
• erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin, others)
• haloperidol (Haldol)
• ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• itraconazole (Sporanox)
• MAO inhibitors such as phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate)
• muscle relaxants
• nefazodone (Serzone)
• pain medications or narcotics
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
• ritonavir (Norvir)
• sedatives
• sleeping pills
• tranquilizers such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine) or thioridazine (Mellaril)
• trazodone (Desyrel)
• verapamil (Calan, Covera, Verelan)

This is not a complete list of BuSpar drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with BuSpar including the following:

• changes in cognitive and motor performance
• skin rash or itching
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• blurred vision
• unusual movements of the head or neck

BuSpar can cause drowsiness and dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how BuSpar affects you.

Do not take BuSpar if you:

• are allergic to BuSpar or to any of its ingredients

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with BuSpar and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.

Before taking BuSpar, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to BuSpar or to any of its ingredients
• have or have had kidney disease
• have or have had liver disease
• have a history of drug or alcohol abuse
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

BuSpar falls into category B.

There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with BuSpar. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if BuSpar crosses into human milk. BuSpar and its metabolites are excreted in animal milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, BuSpar should not be administered to nursing women.

Take BuSpar exactly as prescribed.

This medication comes in tablet form and is usually taken 2 or 3 times a day. BuSpar may be taken with or without food, but take it consistently: either always with food or always without food.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of BuSpar at the same time.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

• The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:
• the condition being treated
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication

The recommended initial dose of BuSpar for the treatment of anxiety is 7.5 mg twice daily. The dose may be increased every 2 to 3 days based on patient response. The maximum daily dose of BuSpar is 60 mg.

• If you take too much BuSpar, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical attention right away.
• If BuSpar is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

• Store BuSpar at room temperature.
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.