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

Pregnancy category: B Lactation: Excretion in milk unknown/not recommended

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.