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BUSPAR
BUSPAR ONLINE
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine
must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision
you and your doctor will make. For buspirone, the following should
be considered:
Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever
had any unusual or allergic reaction to buspirone. Also tell your
health care professional if you are allergic to any other
substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy—Buspirone has not been studied in
pregnant women. However, buspirone has not been shown to cause
birth defects or other problems in animal studies.
Breast-feeding—It is not known whether
buspirone passes into the breast milk of humans.
Children—Studies on this medicine have been
done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information
comparing use of buspirone in children up to 18 years of age with
use in other age groups.
Older adults—This medicine has been tested
in a limited number of older adults and has not been shown to
cause different side effects or problems in older people than it
does in younger adults.
Other medicines—Although certain medicines
should not be used together at all, in other cases two different
medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur.
In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other
precautions may be necessary. When you are taking buspirone, it is
especially important that your health care professional know if
you are taking any of the following:
 | Erythromycin (e.g., ERYC, E.E.S.) or
| Itraconazole (e.g., Sporanox)—Higher blood levels of
buspirone may occur, increasing the chance of side effects.
Your doctor may change the dose of buspirone that you take |
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| Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity (isocarboxazid
[e.g., Marplan], phenelzine [e.g., Nardil], procarbazine
[e.g., Matulane], selegiline at doses more than 10 mg a day
[e.g., Eldepryl], tranylcypromine [e.g., Parnate])—Taking
buspirone while you are taking monoamine oxidase (MAO)
inhibitors may cause high blood pressure |
Other medical problems—The presence of other
medical problems may affect the use of buspirone. Make sure you
tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems,
especially:
| Kidney disease or
| Liver disease—Buspirone may be removed from your body more
slowly, which may increase the chance of side effects. Your
doctor may need to adjust your dose |
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Proper Use of This Medicine
Take buspirone only as directed by your doctor. Do not
take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for
a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the
chance of unwanted effects.
After you begin taking buspirone, 1 to 2 weeks may pass before
you begin to feel the effects of this medicine.
Dosing—
The dose of buspirone will be different for different patients.
Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label.
The following information includes only the average doses of
buspirone. If your dose is different, do not change it
unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of tablets that you take depends on the strength of
the medicine.
| For oral dosage forms (tablets):
| Adults: To start, 5 milligrams (mg) two or three times a
day, or 7.5 mg two times a day. Your doctor may increase
your dose by 5 mg a day every few days if needed. However,
the dose usually is not more than 60 mg a day.
| Children up to 18 years of age: Use and dose must be
determined by the doctor.
| Older adults: To start, 5 milligrams (mg) two or three
times a day, or 7.5 mg two times a day. Your doctor may
increase your dose by 5 mg a day every few days if needed. |
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Missed dose—
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as
possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip
the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do
not double doses.
Storage—
To store this medicine:
| Keep out of the reach of children.
| Store away from heat and direct light.
| Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in
other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to
break down.
| Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of
children. |
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Precautions While Using This Medicine
If you will be using buspirone regularly for a long time, your
doctor should check your progress at regular visits to make sure
the medicine does not cause unwanted effects.
Buspirone may cause some people to become dizzy, lightheaded,
drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you
know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use
machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are
dizzy or are not alert.
If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose
of buspirone, get emergency help at once. Some symptoms of an
overdose are dizziness or lightheadedness; severe drowsiness or
loss of consciousness; stomach upset, including nausea or
vomiting; or very small pupils of the eyes.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some
unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may
occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the
following side effects occur:
| Rare
| Chest pain; confusion; fast or pounding
heartbeat; fever; incoordination; mental
depression; muscle weakness; numbness,
tingling, pain, or weakness in hands or feet; skin
rash or hives; stiffness of arms or legs; sore
throat; uncontrolled movements of the body |
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| Symptoms of overdose--may be more severe than side
effects seen at regular doses or several may occur together
| Dizziness or lightheadedness; drowsiness (severe)
or loss of consciousness; stomach upset, including
nausea or vomiting; very small pupils of the eyes |
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Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical
attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your
body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if
any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
| More common
| Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when getting up
from a sitting or lying position; headache;
nausea; restlessness, nervousness, or unusual
excitement |
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| Less common or rare
| Blurred vision; clamminess or sweating ;
decreased concentration; diarrhea; drowsiness
(more common with doses of more than 20 mg per day);
dryness of mouth; muscle pain, spasms, cramps, or
stiffness; ringing in the ears; trouble in
sleeping, nightmares, or vivid dreams; unusual
tiredness or weakness |
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Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some
patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
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