Buspirone Side Effects

Some side effects of buspirone may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to buspirone: oral tablet

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking buspirone: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• chest pain;

• feeling short or breath; or

• feeling like you might pass out.

Other common side effects may include:

• dizziness, headache, blurred vision;

• drowsiness, feeling tired;

• feeling restless or nervous;

• nausea, dry mouth, upset stomach;

• sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams;

• stuffy nose, sore throat; or

• ringing in your ears.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to buspirone: compounding powder, oral tablet

Nervous system

There is currently no evidence for withdrawal, dependence or rebound anxiety after discontinuation of buspirone.

Nervous system side effects have occurred and include dizziness, drowsiness and headache in about 10% of patients. Movement disorders such as myoclonus, oral dyskinesia, dystonia, and akathisia have been reported rarely. Extrapyramidal side effects, cogwheel rigidity, ataxia, emotional lability, serotonin syndrome, recall difficulty, parkinsonism, restlessness, and restless leg syndrome have been reported in postmarketing experience.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects including nausea have occurred in up to 11% of patients. Constipation, diarrhea and vomiting have also been reported.

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects including mania, hypomania, vivid dreams, delirium, panic attack, and psychosis have been reported rarely. Dysphoria has been reported with long-term administration.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects such as priapism and urinary retention have been reported rarely.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects following acute administration of buspirone have included transient, non-pathologic changes in blood pressure in male psychiatric patients. Effects on blood pressure (either increases or decreases) appear to be associated with the diagnosis.

Endocrine

Endocrine side effects have included elevations in plasma prolactin and cortisol.

Other

An increase in appetite in some patients has been reported.

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