Buspirone for anxiety

What is buspirone?

Most people feel anxious from time to time. Anxiety is normal in stressful situations and can even be helpful. However, anxiety can become abnormal if it appears for no apparent reason, or if it is out of proportion to a stressful situation or continues after a stressful situation has passed.

Buspirone is an anti-anxiety medicine which is prescribed for short periods of time to help ease symptoms of anxiety. Although it is not clear how it works, it is thought to affect a brain chemical which may be involved in causing anxiety symptoms.

Before taking buspirone

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking buspirone it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding.

• If you have epilepsy.

• If you have liver or kidney problems.

• If you have raised pressure in your eye (glaucoma)

• If you have a condition called myasthenia gravis, which causes muscle weakness.

• If you have a rare inherited blood disorder called porphyria.

• If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal products and complementary medicines.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

How to take buspirone

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The leaflet will give you more information about buspirone and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take buspirone tablets exactly as your doctor tells you to. It is likely that you will be prescribed one 5 mg tablet to take two or three times a day to begin with. This may be increased after a few days if needed. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water.

• Try to take your doses at the same times each day, as this will help you to remember to take them. You may choose whether to take buspirone tablets before or after meals, but you should stick to one or the other. So, either take all of your doses before meals, or take all of your doses after meals.

• Do not drink large amounts of grapefruit juice while you are on buspirone. This is because grapefruit juice can interfere with the enzymes that break down buspirone in your digestive system. This may result in your body absorbing more of the medicine than intended. It will increase the risk of side-effects.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Remember to keep your regular appointments with your doctor or clinic. This is so your doctor can check on your progress.

• Taking buspirone may increase the time it takes for you to react and may impair your judgement. Because of this, your ability to drive could be affected.

• Buspirone may make you feel sleepy. Do not drink alcohol while you are on buspirone tablets as it will increase the risk of this.

• If you are having any medical treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking buspirone.

• If you need to buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with buspirone.

What are the side effects of buspirone?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the more common ones associated with buspirone. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store buspirone

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines