BuSpar and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• dlp...
• October 29, 2009

"My doctor prescribed this medication for me 2 weeks ago for escalating and uncontrollable anxiety. I held out little hope it would help, as many other medications for anxiety had failed in the past. Within one hour of beginning this medication, my anxiety had completely ceased. I was amazed. I was expecting this medication to take weeks to work, or fail completely. I do feel a dizziness sometimes, but cannot even consider this a drawback in light of the relief it has given me. My family and friends have noticed the change in me. Give this medicine a chance."

• CMR...
• August 22, 2013

For Anxiety "Took 5mg. Dizziness after I initially started taking, that vanished but occasionally cropped up once in a while. Felt pretty good. Happier. Thoughts that I would normally worry about still came to me, but I was able to think about them and dismiss them, not obsess over them ALL day. Some months later though I began becoming extremely emotional. I cried all the time, became so depressed getting dressed and brushing my teeth was a huge struggle; was paranoid, wanted to hurt myself, had crazy thoughts. I would sob at the drop of a hat, which ISN'T like me at all. Took months of confusion, emptiness, anger, and loneliness to figure out it was the Buspar. Loved it in the beginning, but unfortunately it was not for me!"

• Sto...
• March 1, 2009

For Anxiety "Prescribed BuSpar for anxiety and panic disorder. This medicine seems to be a much better option for me than the SSRI drugs. The side effects experienced are dizziness, tingling in the fingertips, vivid dreams, and the occasional stomach ache. Been taking 5mg, 5 times a day. I do also complement the medicine with the occasional 0.25mg Xanax when needed. After 3 weeks, I do notice a big difference in the amounts of anxiety and an elimination of symptoms, which used to work their way to the panic stage. So far, between these medicines, daily exercise, self-education, and therapy I seem to be making some progress. I would recommend giving it a try."

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2019

For Anxiety "Nope! I was prescribed BuSpar 15 mg at a dose of 1 tablet 3 times a day. A nightmare for sure. After the first few initial days and it getting in my system, that nightmare began! Side effects of not sleeping over 3-4 hours a night. Shaking inside and out, dizzy and faint, full-blown panic attacks, pacing the floor, and body having to keep moving to stop that feeling of jumping out of my skin (Akathisia)!! Tried BuSpar for 3 weeks and gained 9 lbs and more anxiety than before."

• Anonymous
• August 15, 2009

For Anxiety "After reading all of the comments, I had to comment also. I have taken BuSpar for 8 years. I have noticed a lot of weight gain, which I thought was from this medicine. I have not seen that in anyone's comment. So I am now thinking it is my lifestyle. I do get dizzy, so I have to lay down for 30 minutes after every dose. I am supposed to take 1/2 pill twice a day, but laying down is not an option for me on most days, so I skip a dose or two. Sometimes I do not take it for weeks. I do notice when I take it for a few days like I should, that when I miss a dose, I am even more agitated, aggravated, and anxious, and as one said, looking for the bad that is around the corner. Thank you all for helping me decide to finally take this as I am supposed to."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2013

For Anxiety "I recently started having panic attacks and was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. My doctor put me on Prozac, but after 5 days, I was having such horrible side effects that she switched me over to BuSpar 5mg in the morning and 5mg in the evening. I am to up my dosage after 5 days to 7.5mg in the morning and then again in the evening. However, I feel dizzy, upset stomach, and just exhausted. My doctor told me to give it time because I'm coming off a medicine and starting a new one at the same time. It is worse in the morning. I just want to feel better. I've had to take half of my 0.5mg Xanax just to take the edge off every day and have zero appetite. I'm feeling hopeless and need some encouragement and help."

• Sha...
• September 21, 2017

For Anxiety "My doctor prescribed BuSpar 5 mg 3x daily as I eased off Effexor. The Effexor worked great, except for the sexual side effects and the hardcore addiction. I have nothing good to say about BuSpar. I thought I was losing my mind. Felt severely unbalanced. Nauseated. Confused. Thirsty. Insomnia. You name it! My endocrinologist thought I might be diabetic because of family history. No, it was all the BuSpar. Why should something that is supposed to help generalized anxiety make you feel like you are losing it? I ended up slowly getting off of Effexor and pitching the BuSpar. I need something for generalized anxiety, but I am scared of another bad trip."

• soy...
• February 24, 2017

For Anxiety "I have been on BuSpar for a few months, and I like it a lot! It has made severe and paralyzing anxiety lift to a manageable level, even while taking a low dosage of 10 mg daily. My doctor told me that I can increase the dosage, since taking so little doesn't rid me of anxiety completely (no medication can). But I noticed that when I upped my dose, my appetite came back more than I would have liked. Essentially, I think it works to strengthen my SSRI (sertraline); and I did have dizziness when I first started and felt pretty bad, but that's common for anti-anxiety medications and usually goes away as your body gets used to it. I do still find, however, after I take my morning dose (usually) with coffee, I feel a bit woozy, but it usually wears off quickly."

• Dsm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2021

For Anxiety "This was a mistake. Was prescribed this for mild anxiety. Took 10 mg a day for 17 days. The side effects were terrible! Dizziness, nausea, chest pain, increased heart rate, insomnia, fatigue, and more. Have been off 3 weeks and still struggling with withdrawal effects."

• Rel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2019

For Anxiety "I was on this medication for two weeks and noticed absolutely no positive effect. However, within those two weeks, I gained 8 pounds, had an erratic heartbeat, and about 20-30 minutes after taking a pill, I got extremely dizzy and lightheaded to the point I couldn’t even drive. This is just my experience and my body chemistry, but my ultimate opinion is it’s just another failed attempt to prevent prescribing Benzos. Hope any of this helps."

• Bus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2015

For Anxiety "So I have read several posts, and here is my response. This is my second time on BuSpar, and I was prescribed 7.5. I didn't like the dizzy feeling, and I had trouble focusing, so I cut my dose in half. I broke the pills. After very light dizziness with the 3.1 dose, I am feeling good. I know the doctor prescribed one dosage, but if you continue to feel sick after a few days, just lower your dose and start from there. You're going to feel weird for the first few days anyway as your body adjusts. The meds work great. In the beginning, when I was getting upset, I could feel the medicine trigger something to keep me calm. The more I tried to get upset or was experiencing anxiety, the more weird I felt. It's been 2 weeks now."

• Bus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2015

For Anxiety "So I have read several posts, and here is my response. This is my second time on BuSpar, and I was prescribed 7.5. I didn't like the dizzy feeling, and I had trouble focusing, so I cut my dose in half. I broke the pills. After very light dizziness with the 3.1 dose, I am feeling good. I know the doctor prescribed one dosage, but if you continue to feel sick after a few days, just lower your dose and start from there. You're going to feel weird for the first few days anyway as your body adjusts. The meds work great. In the beginning, when I was getting upset, I could feel the medicine trigger something to keep me calm. The more I tried to get upset or was experiencing anxiety, the more weird I felt. It's been 2 weeks now."

• Mmj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2017

For Anxiety "I think BuSpar is working really well for me. I also take Zoloft, and it's a great combination so far. I do get a little dizzy, but my anxiety was so bad that I'd rather be a little dizzy than anxious."

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2021

For Anxiety "Takes 4-6 weeks to work and about 2-3 months to get the full effect, but it works, and I highly recommend. I started off at 5 mg 2x a day and increased it to 30 mg (15x2). However, the 15 mg dose makes me dizzy at times, so I changed to 15 mg at night (before bed) and 10 mg a few hours after lunch. I find the dizziness increases when you take it with food, especially sugary foods (I take it on an empty stomach). Bottom line: this stuff works really well for GAD. I no longer worry or fear. It turns off your fear response and lets you live. If it did not give me the dizziness (which lasts about 1 hour sometimes), it would be 10/10. Not a substitute for Xanax (I still take 0.5 mg at night), but I have been able to lower Xanax use and control anxiety very well. BuSpar is a MUST for those with GAD. Just start off low (5 mg x2) and work your way up. Do not be afraid of it! I would think most people with GAD will respond well with 20 to 30 mg a day. Also, for those with tinnitus, it does not affect it."

• Try...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 28, 2016

For Anxiety "23 male, been taking BuSpar for 3 years now for anxiety/OCD with intrusive thoughts. I originally started with 10 mg 2x a day. Took about 2-3 weeks to take effect, after that, I really noticed a difference in my anxiety and intrusive thoughts. It really helped me get through the day and feel normal. I occasionally still had panic attacks that would eventually pass with drinking a bunch of water and sometimes taking an extra 'helper' dose. Recently switched to 3x a day, still at 10 mg, since the med doesn't seem to last as long as it used to. Still occasionally take a 'helper' dose to fall asleep. Side effects were/still are antsy legs, dizziness, drowsiness, and extreme appetite, all for only about 30 min. Overall better than anti-depressants."

• Slu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2018

For Anxiety "Quit drinking cold turkey after 2 years of life-altering changes. Never had anxiety. Well, I do now. Crippling, scary moments only about midday. Morning and evening, I'm fine, which is weird. Was scared to death to take a med like this because, other than high BP, I'm good to go. Broke down and tried one 5mg dose. About an hour later, I felt smooth. Was told 5mg every 12 hours. I take 5mg 3 times a day. Usually every 4 hours, so 15mg. 4 months sober and a month after starting BuSpar, it's a lifesaver for me. I've read that it doesn't work for everybody, and everybody is different, I understand. But it has done the trick for me so far. I tried every vitamin concoction and drink known to man with no luck. It made me very dizzy the first couple of weeks. Now, I don't even notice taking it except feeling more calm. Not recommending taking it like I do, but it works for me."

• Alm...
• August 10, 2019

For Anxiety "My doctor gave me this medicine, BuSpar, for anxiety. I have very bad side effects: a heavy headache, my neck hurts, my mouth and throat are so dry, and I am starting to cough. Very dizzy. I have a horrible experience."

• Sti...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2016

For Anxiety "It didn't help at all with the panic attacks and actually made my anxiety worse. The first few weeks, it would just put me to sleep. After four weeks, I became very depressed and had suicidal thoughts constantly throughout the day. It gave me horrible headaches, it made me really dizzy all the time, and I felt lightheaded and nauseous often. After four weeks, I could not sleep at all, and my anxiety increased along with the panic attacks. I don't recommend this medicine for anyone who has suffered PTSD or who has had high anxiety levels for a long time. It just makes things worse. After five weeks, I stopped taking this medication, I could no longer handle the side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 28, 2012

For Anxiety "Female, 21 years old. I have had severe anxiety attacks for the past 2 years, OCD since I can remember, and feel like I can't breathe when I think about the what-ifs. I was on Prozac for a few months and absolutely loved it until I started grinding my teeth in my sleep. I tried the BuSpar. I've been on it for 2 1/2 weeks. It took most of my anxiety away, but I got so dizzy I couldn't stand it (15 mg). I started halving the pills, it still makes me dizzy. It gives me headaches and doesn't help with the stress or obsessive-compulsive disorder. My doctor is adding Paxil to the BuSpar, and hopefully, it'll help more."

• Anonymous
• October 7, 2009

For Anxiety "A little over 2 years ago, I started feeling anxiety thinking of bad things that would happen to me or my family. I would worry about these things every day, and then I would have trouble breathing, and it was all due to anxiety. My doctor prescribed BuSpar, and everything went away. I felt normal and stress-free, and the feelings I had went away. I also read BuSpar is for short term, but as long as your doctor prescribes it for you, you should take it as long as you need to. Without it, I would be a wreck. As for side effects, I get dizzy and tired. I take one 15mg at night and the other in the afternoon after work, and take about a 30-minute break to lay down or just watch TV. I feel much better after that."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2022

For Anxiety "I started this drug at 10 mg TID after being on Wellbutrin for 2 years for anxiety and losing effectiveness. I felt fine the first two days, but on day three, I felt very nauseous, dizzy, loss of appetite, and just overall 'off.' On the fourth day, I had the worst panic attack I've ever had, and I haven't had a panic attack in over 5 years. I had full body tremors, palpitations, confusion/difficulty concentrating, unable to focus, photophobia for over 3 hours following the attack, and it happened again the next morning after I hadn't taken the drug in over 12 hours. I will never take this again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2025

For Anxiety "I don’t like medication but reached a point where I had to be honest with myself and try something new—I’m so glad I did. The first week was rough with nausea, anxiety, dizziness, insomnia, and wild dreams, but I pushed through, and it was worth it. Now, a month in, I feel so much less anxious, happier, and more confident. I do get excitable with scattered thoughts, but once I focus, I get locked in. That scattered feeling is improving as I adjust. Mild shortness of breath and insomnia (if taken late) are the only side effects. Therapy and exercise enhance the benefits. BuSpar doesn’t feel overwhelming or drugged—it’s subtle, and I just feel great and more in control. I’m sticking with it—totally worth trying!"

• chu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2012

For Anxiety "When taking the medicine, the first few hours my entire body would have random 'tingles', I would experience vertigo, become dizzy, and be nauseous. I took BuSpar / buspirone for about 3 weeks and quit after these effects, plus decreased sex drive."

• chu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2012

For Anxiety "When taking the medicine, the first few hours my entire body would have random 'tingles', I would experience vertigo, become dizzy, and be nauseous. I took BuSpar / buspirone for about 3 weeks and quit after these effects, plus decreased sex drive."

• Chr...
• February 11, 2013

For Anxiety "I have been on BuSpar for about 3 months. I take 30 mg a day. I feel it is effective, but I still get anxious thoughts and worry about having panic attacks. Does this happen to anyone else? Maybe I just up my dose, but I get dizzy for about 30 minutes and can't lay down while I'm working. I was on Paxil, but the side effects were awful, so my Dr switched me to this."