سلامت روان

What is buspirone tablet and what diseases is it prescribed for?

Buspirone tablet is an anti-anxiety drug that is often prescribed to treat generalized anxiety disorder. Taking this medicine can help reduce excessive worry, tension, irritability and some physical symptoms associated with anxiety. Buspirone is less addictive and less drowsy than benzodiazepines, and in most cases, it takes a few weeks to fully show its effects.

This drug is sometimes used for the short-term management of anxiety disorders. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe buspirone to treat depression or reduce the sexual side effects of serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drugs.

In some researches, the positive effects of buspirone on types of mental disorders and neurological disorders related to Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and ADHD have also been reported; But this issue has not been proven yet.

The effect of buspirone tablets on stress and anxiety

Buspirone tablets are specifically designed to reduce the symptoms of stress and chronic anxiety. By modulating the activity of certain neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine in the brain, this drug helps to improve the feeling of relaxation and reduce anxiety, without causing drowsiness or strong dependence like benzodiazepines. The effect of buspirone tablets is gradual and in most cases it takes between 2 and 4 weeks of regular use to fully see its benefits; But when it reaches the effective dose, it can have a positive effect on reducing the feeling of tension, constant worry and the body's stress responses.

Common doses of buspirone

There are different doses such as buspirone 5, 7.5, 10, 15 and 30 mg. The use of each dose depends on the condition, age and response to the drug of the patient. In most cases, for the treatment of anxiety, the doctor suggests a dose of 15 mg per day, which may be prescribed by taking two 7.5 mg tablets per day. The maximum allowed dose of buspirone per day is 60 mg. The exact amount and frequency of use should always be determined and prescribed under the doctor's supervision.

buspirone 5 mg tablet

The dose of 5 buspirone is a low dose of this medicine and the doctor may use it as a starting dose. Also, the patient may be advised to take buspirone 5 mg 2-3 times a day to reduce anxiety symptoms. This dose helps the body to gradually adapt to the drug and show less negative side effects upon reaching the appropriate therapeutic level.

buspirone 10 mg tablet

buspirone 10 mg is one of the common doses of buspirone that the doctor may prescribe after starting with lower doses such as 5 mg. Also, sometimes the patient is advised to use buspirone 10 mg tablets 2 to 3 times a day instead of taking 20 to 30 mg at the same time; This condition is often prescribed for patients who have liver or kidney problems, because liver or kidney problems can increase the concentration of buspirone in the blood more than the patient needs. In general, the exact amount of consumption should always be determined under the direct supervision of the doctor and based on the individual's condition and his body's response to the drug.

The best time to take Buspirone tablets

For Buspirone to function properly and uniformly in the body, it is better for the patient to take it every day at fixed times and specific hours. This drug is often taken 2 to 3 times a day, for example, in the morning and in the evening or at noon, so that its concentration in the body remains stable and its anti-anxiety effects are better seen. Buspirone can be taken with or without food, but the important thing is to keep the dose in the body constant, which is achieved by strictly observing the dose at each time of use. In fact, the way of use should not be changed, because it may change the effect of the drug.

What are the side effects of buspirone?

Because the mechanism of effectiveness of buspirone is different from other sedatives, it has fewer side effects than other anti-anxiety drugs. However, in some cases, the patient may experience dizziness, headache, nausea, drowsiness or insomnia, irritability, and a feeling of discomfort in the stomach, which over time, the body gets used to these side effects.

In rare cases, the person may experience more serious reactions such as irregular heartbeat, chest pain, tremors or uncontrollable movements, and symptoms of serotonin syndrome such as fever, confusion, or muscle spasms; In this situation, the patient should consult his doctor as soon as possible. If at any stage of your treatment, you need to consult with the best and most experienced doctors and psychiatrists in Iran, visit the DoctorDoctor website as soon as possible and use the online psychiatrist DoctorDoctor option. Anti-anxiety drugs like benzodiazepines are not strong hypnotics or sedatives. However, at the beginning of taking buspirone, sometimes a person is involved in mild sleep disorders, such as changes in sleep patterns, daytime sleepiness, decreased alertness, or light-headedness during the day. For this reason, it is often recommended that the patient avoid driving or operating heavy machinery after taking the pill until the side effects of the drug on alertness and concentration are determined. In general, the side effects of buspirone, including sleep problems, decrease over time and can be different depending on the patient's body's reaction to the drug and the time of its use.

Effects of suddenly stopping buspirone

If buspirone is stopped suddenly, the body may react. In some people, reactions include increased anxiety, return of previous anxiety symptoms, dizziness, nausea, irritability, anger, sleep problems, headache, muscle cramps, insomnia, or fatigue. In some cases, burning or tingling, dizziness or unusual fatigue are reported in patients. These symptoms usually disappear after a few days to a few weeks. However, most experts suggest that the use of buspirone tablets be reduced gradually and under the supervision of a doctor so that the body has a chance to adapt.

Is buspirone fattening?

Unlike many anti-anxiety or antidepressant drugs, buspirone does not have a specific effect on weight or metabolism, and weight gain or loss is not a common side effect of buspirone. In clinical studies, weight change due to buspirone use is very rare and reported in 1%. Of course, the reduction of anxiety may be accompanied by an increase in the body's natural appetite for food consumption in some people and cause weight gain. In this case, it is suggested that the patient consult a doctor or nutritionist to prevent unwanted weight gain by modifying eating habits.

Does buspirone cause menstrual irregularity?

According to official information, buspirone does not directly cause clear menstrual irregularity in most cases, but there are always exceptions. In some cases, changes in the menstrual cycle, spotting or irregularity of periods have been seen. However, problems related to menstruation due to the use of buspirone are very rare and less than 1% have been reported.

It is often said that changes in the menstrual cycle after taking buspirone are caused by other factors such as stress, hormonal changes or simultaneous use with other drugs. In any case, if you notice a disturbance in your menstrual cycle or hormonal problems while taking buspirone, it is better to consult your doctor in this regard so that a more complete investigation can be done. For this reason, it is better to consult your doctor and tell him what other medications you are using before starting the course of use. Some drugs that may interact with buspirone include the antidepressants segelin or amitriptyline, such as serotonin and triplin. Buspirone may interact with other serotonergic drugs such as SSRIs, SNRIs and triptans including fluoxetine, sertraline and duloxetine.

Cardiac drugs, antibiotics and antifungals such as diltiazem, verapamil, rifampin, erythromycin or itraconazole can slow down the metabolism of buspirone and increase its side effects. On the other hand, anticonvulsants or rifampin increase the speed of elimination of buspirone and make it less effective. Consumption of alcohol and sedatives along with buspirone can make the patient sleepy and nervous. Also, consuming grapefruit can increase the level of buspirone in the blood and increase side effects.

What is an alternative to buspirone?

As an alternative to buspirone, doctors often use SSRI or SNRI drugs such as escitalapram, sertraline, and venlafaxine to treat generalized anxiety disorder. Of course, sometimes the doctor may also prescribe buspirone along with SSRI drugs as a drug enhancer. In some cases, beta-blockers such as propranolol are used instead of buspirone to control physical symptoms of anxiety such as palpitations.

Some other alternatives to buspirone for anxiety management include benzodiazepines and barbiturates; Of course, the mechanism of action of these drugs is different from buspirone and it is faster, but there is a greater risk of physical dependence. In any case, the exact choice of medication and dosage should be made under the direct supervision of the doctor and based on the patient's individual conditions.

Doctor's final word

Buspirone is an anti-anxiety drug that can help you focus on your life again by reducing worry, tension and physical symptoms of anxiety. Its effect is gradual and for full results, regular consumption and adherence to the dose and schedule prescribed by the doctor is necessary. Buspirone is less drowsy and less addictive than many sedatives, but it is still important to be aware of its side effects and drug interactions. If you want to get professional help regarding the use of this drug or other anti-anxiety drugs, the DoctorDoctor website is at your service. At DoctorDoctor, you can consult with the most professional and experienced Iranian psychologists and psychiatrists, and then order the medicine you need from DoctorDoctor's online pharmacy. The goal of Dr. Doctor's treatment team is to make your life calmer and your mind easier.

Frequently Asked Questions