Buspar (Buspirone)

Do's

• Take Buspar as directed by your healthcare provider, usually 2 or 3 times a day. The dosage of Buspar is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. 
• Buspar is taken by mouth, and it can be taken with or without food. However, choose one way and always take it the same way so that the amount of drug absorbed will always be the same.
• Take this medication with or without food, but consistently choose one way to take it.
• Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day.
• Follow the manufacturer's Patient Instruction Sheet or ask your pharmacist how to split the tablet to get your dose. Buspar may come in a tablet that can be split to get the correct dose for you.
• When this medication is started, symptoms of anxiety (such as restlessness) may sometimes get worse before they improve. It may take up to a month or more to get the full effect of this medication.
• Adhere to the instructions provided by your healthcare provider and consult with a pharmacist if you have any questions about the administration or dosage of Buspar.

Don'ts

• Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your healthcare provider or pharmacist says you may do so safely. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this medicine.

Common Side Effects:

• Anxiety or nervousness
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Trouble sleeping
• Excitement
• Confusion
• Fatigue or weakness
• Increased sweating
• Upset stomach
• Restlessness, nervousness, or unusual excitement
• Blurred vision
• Clamminess or sweating
• Decreased concentration
• Diarrhea
• Dryness of the mouth
• Muscle pain, spasms, cramps, or stiffness
• Ringing in the ears
• Trouble with sleeping, nightmares, or vivid dreams
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Very small pupils of the eyes
• Stomach upset

Less Common or Rare Side Effects:

• Rash
• Hives
• Itching
• Swelling of the face, eyes, mouth, throat, tongue, or lips
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
• Eye pain or pressure
• Hallucinations
• Pelvic pain
• Cardiovascular events, such as heart attack or congestive heart failure

Serious Side Effects:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Light-headed feeling, like you might pass out
• Severe dizziness
• Trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of side effects, and other effects may occur. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects.

Inform your healthcare provider if you are allergic to buspirone, any other medications, or, any of the ingredients in Buspar tablets.

If you are taking a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, phenelzine, selegiline, or tranylcypromine, or if you have stopped taking an MAO inhibitor within the past 14 days, your healthcare provider will likely advise against taking Buspar.

Before taking Buspar, consult your healthcare provider for more information, especially if you have any concerns about potential interactions or allergic reactions.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for guidance on proper disposal.

This is not a complete list of warnings and precautions, and other considerations may apply. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance.