I have recently started having severe back to back panic attacks during the day. My doctor put me on 5 mg of BuSpar three times a day. It was a lifesaver and was working wonderfully and then all of a sudden for no reason after a few months it just stopped working and the panic attacks came back. Now she has me on 10 mg of BuSpar three times a day. It seems to be helping a little, but not enough. I am also extremely nauseated in the morning, which brings on more panic. She gave me a script for the lowest dose of Xanax in case I need it at night time. Knocks me out pretty quickly, but I can’t take that during the day and function. Plus, I worry about taking that because it can be addictive. I feel like I’m going crazy. I just need the panic attacks to stop. Has anybody else had any experience like this? Does anybody take more Buspar than 10 mg three times a day? The panic attacks are debilitating and I cannot work until they stop.
Is Buspar the best drug for severe panic attacks?
Question posted by Kfreitag70 on 21 July 2023
Last updated on 25 July 2023
Answers
I take 45 mg. Buspar a day. I also take Lexapro, Klonopin, and Gabapentin for anxiety and panic. The Buspar does help but makes me a little bit dizzy.
It is making me a little dizzy too, but not horribly. Thank God it has kicked in and I am having a really good day today. I guess I was just worried that maybe there wasn’t any other option than the Buspar. Thank you for letting me know that there is! Do you have side effects from any of those other medication’s?
Hi, Kfreitag!
I agree with your views about Xanax (a benzodiazepine) and it should only be used ultra short-term as needed. You may need it though until other medications which can take weeks to become fully effective kick in.
Your current dosage despite the increase may not be enough for you. Everybody responds differently to this type of medication. For instance, I need to take 60mg/day which is the maximum recommended dose.
They also take weeks for full results, but you might discuss the SSRI class of antidepressant/anxiolytics like Paxil and Lexapro which are approved to treat anxiety disorders with your doctor. Just something to think about.
Best regards and I hope you're feeling better soon.
Wildcat
Wildcat, thank you so much for your response! It’s slowly starting to get a little better. Do you have side effects from taking the dosage amount that you take? I was dealing with extreme nausea/diarrhea and slight headache’s, but all that seems to have calmed down a little bit too. I am currently on Celexa, but I have been on it for years. My doctor was thinking about maybe trying something new like Paxil, Zoloft, or Lexapro in addition to the BuSpar. Do you take any of those? And if so, what are your thoughts and opinions?
Sorry! I didn't get your questions until just now.
Lexapro and Paxil are both FDA approved to treat anxiety disorders; Zoloft is also frequently prescribed off-label. In my opinion, having taken all of these with buspirone, they are very effective for long-term use.
Eventually my diagnosis changed because I'm actually Bipolar and the AD's were provoking manic episodes so now I only take buspirone. When I started it I had headaches for a few days but that resolved and ever since I've been fine even at my high dose.
All of these medications take time, usually about 4-6 weeks, to become fully effective so they don't help Immediately with panic attacks but with continued use they will help prevent the attacks from ever happening at all. In the first few weeks though you might have to use a benzo only when you feel an impending attack. Ask your doctor about that.
WC
Thank you so much for all your knowledge, advice, and opinions. It really has helped. Put my mind at ease! I’m going to talk with my doctor next week about changing my anti-depression medicine. I also have my first appointment with a psychologist tomorrow.
Related topics
buspar, anxiety, panic disorder, drug
Further information
- BuSpar uses and safety info
- BuSpar prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of BuSpar (detailed)
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