Buspirone

Indications

Buspirone is used for: Anxiety

Adult Dose

Anxiety Disorders 10-15 mg/day PO divided q8-12hr; may increase every 2-3 days by 5 mg/day to 15-30 mg/day PO divided q8-12hr; not to exceed 60 mg/day Hepatic impairment: Not recommended for patients with severe impairment

Child Dose

Renal Dose

Renal impairment: Not recommended for patients with severe impairment

Administration

May be taken with or without food. Take consistently either always w/ or always w/o meals.

Contra Indications

Hypersensitivity. Epilepsy; severe renal or hepatic impairment; children <18 yr; pregnancy, lactation.

Precautions

Preceding co-administration of MAOIs, decreased hepatic or renal function. In patients on benzodiazepines, withdraw the drug gradually. May impair ability to drive or operate machinery. Lactation: Excretion in milk unknown/not recommended

Pregnancy-Lactation

Interactions

Enhanced sedative effects with alcohol or CNS depressants. Increases serum haloperidol. Concurrent admin with MAOIs may lead to increase in BP. Potentially Fatal: Elevation of BP when taken concomitantly with MAOIs.

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Buspirone : >10% Dizziness (12%) 1-10% Drowsiness (10%),Nausea (8%),Headache (6%),Nervousness (5%),Blurred vision (2%),Confusion (2%),Diarrhea (2%),Excitement (2%),Insomnia (2%),Myalgia (1%),Numbness (2%),Paresthesia (1%),Rash (1%),Tremor (1%),Weakness (2%),Nasal congestion (1%),Sore throat (1%),Nonspecific chest pain (1%),Tinnitus (1%),Dream disturbances (1%) <1% Akathisia,Allergic reaction,Anorexia,Bruising,Galactorrhea,Heart failure,Menstrual irregularity,Suicidal ideation,Syncope,Alopecia,Eosinophilia,Edema,Enuresis,Increased ocular pressure,Visual disturbances,Rectal bleeding,Photophobia,Dystonia

Mechanism of Action

Buspirone exerts anxiolytic activity through high affinity for serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptors. It has moderate affinity for dopamine D2-receptors but no affinity for GABA receptors.