BuSpar User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)
BuSpar has an average rating of 6.0 out of 10 from a total of 638 reviews on Drugs.com. 50% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 35% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for BuSpar
- Cal...
- April 20, 2016
For Anxiety "I began taking BuSpar about six weeks ago. I am not a fan of benzos because they are addictive. I prefer to function with a clear head rather than popping a pill that sedates me so badly that maybe I'm not feeling my anxiety. I'm also not living my life or doing much else either. BuSpar has changed my life, I had completely forgotten what it was like to have a quiet mind until now. My obsessive thoughts subsided, I can leave my house without fear, I can speak to my friends and to strangers without profusely sweating and trembling, and I can drive again now that I'm not so easily stimulated. It takes a few weeks to feel the full effect, so hang in there if you just began."
- bst...
- December 4, 2014
For Anxiety "I'm on week 7. I thought I would wait until the effects kicked in to write a review. Regarding the side effects, mild nausea and lethargy for a short while after taking the medication, nothing to avoid taking the pill for. As for the results, very mild, but I notice a difference. I speak more clearly and confidently to people, and I am overall less anxious. One big thing, my constant worry about my health has subsided. I am 31 and live a healthy life, but I get a stomach ache and think I have colon cancer. These thoughts I laugh at now. I recommend taking this. Only 8 stars because it is not a cure all, only you can be."
- Mmb...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 3, 2020
For Anxiety "Do not take this drug. Had a horrible experience. Nightmares, intrusive thoughts, mood swings, apathy, angry, made me the opposite of who I am. Withdrawals are even worse so much buzzing and brain zaps. I would have rather had the anxiety/panic attacks! Still dealing with all the bizarre effects. This is coming from someone who never was on any medication. Have to take other meds just to sleep and make it through my day now. Hoping to be back to normal soon. Thank goodness for the ER staff who helped me!"
- Pin...
- May 31, 2014
For Anxiety "I've had generalized anxiety disorder since before they knew what it was. I have been on all SSRIs, the side effects have kept me from being on them long enough to see if they worked. Then Ativan through clonazepam, still anxiety-ridden. As a last chance medicine, my doctor gave me BuSpar. At this point, I was beyond jaded and thought, 'oh great, another pill that won't work'. But it did, at 30mg split to 10mg 3 times daily. I felt the cloud of anxiety lift after the first pill. I stopped catastrophizing everything and got my life back. It is an older medicine, no longer a 'go-to' medicine, but should be. The others made me zombie-like, etc. I had the dizzies for a week, pushed through, they stopped. I am now so incredibly happy and anxiety-free."
Are you taking this medicine?
Your review helps others make informed decisions.- Ste...
- November 16, 2014
For Anxiety "I started taking BuSpar about a year ago for anxiety/panic attacks. I've taken benzodiazepines in the past, but having an addictive personality, I had to stop those. BuSpar saved my life. I have no fear, paranoia, or low self-esteem anymore. I used to feel like the world was out to get me and that I was being judged by everyone no matter where I went. I used to have the most crippling social anxiety too, I'd avoid social situations because the anxiety was so bad. Luckily, BuSpar erased all of that for me. Anxiety still creeps up here and there, but it is absolutely nowhere close to being as bad as it was before. No side effects. I love it and will take it for a long time. At first, I did get headaches but they went away a couple of days later. Love it."
- MCr...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- August 31, 2014
For Anxiety "I take between 30-50 mg per day depending on how I feel. Usually 15mg or 20mg at a time. Doctors should really look at this medicine for bipolar as I am severely bipolar (with anxiety) and do not like addictive substances. BuSpar is a wonder medicine for some! I'm getting my life back! I no longer rage and ruminate, and I can also sleep and think more clearly :D most things do not work for me, but this one did."
- Jud...
- June 22, 2014
For Anxiety "I have suffered from generalized anxiety disorder for longer than I care to remember. Went through too many antidepressants that all failed. I was told that BuSpar was an 'oldie but goodie.' I was reluctant to even try another pill and was under the notion that drinking wine was going to be my alternate choice, (which I didn't care to start). BuSpar has been my answer. It has brought calm into my life. I recommend this 'magic pill.'"
- Mga...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- March 31, 2021
For Anxiety "My doctor said that is one of those drugs that work well or not at all. I was originally put on Prozac for anxiety, but couldn't tolerate the side effects. Lot of muscle twitching and jerky movements. I switched to BuSpar and it worked great. I did have a problem with paresthesia for a while, and took gabapentin to relieve it. That went away after a couple of months, and I no longer take the gabapentin. My anxiety has virtually stopped and I feel really good. I would recommend giving it a try, and giving it time to work."
- Dyl...
- October 27, 2014
For Anxiety "I was prescribed benzodiazepines for my post-traumatic stress disorder-induced anxiety. The benzos worked great for me, but after admitting myself into a rehab program for substance abuse, I was told I could no longer take the benzos as there is a high risk for abuse and addiction (even though this wasn't the medicine I was abusing). After a number of panic attacks, I sought help from the doctor for a non-addictive alternative. They gave me Buspar 10mg 3x a day. This improved my anxiety, but I still had days that were debilitating. I saw the doctor again, and he upped the dose to 15mg 3x a day, and I have been completely anxiety-free since. Make sure you have the proper dosage before claiming this doesn't work. And the side effects like dizziness are easily countered with a good meal."
- Bri...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- July 18, 2019
For Anxiety "I've taken BuSpar (45mg daily, 3 times a day) for several years. I have GAD with infrequent panic attacks and a mild depression. I was originally prescribed Clonazepam, and took it for several years, but a new doc convinced me to get off the benzos, which I managed to do and was no small feat. The BuSpar has been an absolute godsend for me. The Clonazepam worked, but pretty much flatlined my personality. The BuSpar made me feel 'normal' for the first time in years... my wife comments that she didn't hear me laugh once on the Clonazepam, and now I enjoy life and laugh all the time. Everyone is different, but this is a great drug for me!"
- Blo...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- October 29, 2012
For Anxiety "I'm not exaggerating when I tell you all: This medicine has truly CHANGED my life! After suffering with clinical depression and anxiety for over 12 years, this is the only medicine that has completely taken the anxiety away. I take it along with Prozac 30mg and WOW, what a difference it has made for me. (I've been on Prozac for 8-10 years.) The Prozac helps with depression, but since my main problem was anxiety, it didn't help very much with that. Xanax wouldn't work for me like it used to, and after this last debilitating episode of anxiety, I had lost hope that anything would work for me. I'm only on 10 mg of Buspar, and it's literally made me the way I was before I started suffering all those years ago. I feel like the REAL ME again! Amazing!"
- Bub...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 3, 2020
For Anxiety "So far I've been on BuSpar 10mg twice a day for a week. My anxiety is much better than it was. I talked to my psychiatrist about taking the evening dose early afternoon and she said it was ok. As long as I stick to the same times every day, it will be ok. So I take my 1st dose at 6:30 am and my 2nd dose around 1:30 pm. Side effects are very mild. I take my 2nd dose early because if I take it later in the evening, I have a hard time sleeping. I'm still getting used to the medicine. I take Vistaril 25mg if I get anxious still, but overall my anxiety is much better than it was."
- art...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- June 5, 2015
For Anxiety "BuSpar has changed my life! I absolutely love this medication. I suffer from phobias and health anxiety, and this medication has worked wonders for me. As a nurse, I didn't want anything addictive, and this was my miracle. I tried Ativan, and it didn't even touch my anxiety. I have had no side effects with BuSpar, and it has helped me to relax and feel like myself again! I highly recommend it!"
- Eri...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- December 1, 2019
For Anxiety "My new doctor wouldn't prescribe my usual combo of Prozac with Xanax 'as needed.' I was mad but gave BuSpar for anxiety a try, and it works out to be THE BEST COMBO EVER!! I actually felt euphoria and a bit lightheaded the first few days. Then in the first few months when I had alcohol in addition to wine one night, I got EXTREMELY SICK. But as a social drinker, I decided to 'try again' but only with wine. Everything has been fine since. I can even have margaritas, etc., again. (But I can't stress enough how scary and extreme that sickness was in the beginning, so drinkers, BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL.) My family says they have never seen me so happy in all my 46 years. I am sure that I've never had such an easygoing attitude. Things I used to take personally have no effect on me now. I take two 5mg tablets at night before bed. This works for me even though it isn't what is recommended (i.e., 2 or 3 times daily doses). No more obsessive worries, thin skin reactions, or depression!!"
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- October 8, 2014
For Anxiety "I have been taking BuSpar for 2 months and have definitely noticed I am more relaxed and less reactive and upset in stressful situations. Prior to BuSpar, I had taken Xanax as needed for anxiety, but it made me extremely hungry. I would eat so much, and even worse, not remember, that it just gave me more anxiety from all the weight gain. I am only taking BuSpar now, and I take 7.5 mg x 3 daily. I am able to function on this medication and not feel like a zombie. I feel very relaxed and I am starting to enjoy life!"
- Wap...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- November 27, 2019
For Anxiety "It's an excuse drug for doctors to write because, because the drugs that actually work are controlled substances. BuSpar does very little for anxiety and depression. I feel you are better off smoking or drinking to calm you down. Thanks to government regulations, everyone has to suffer."
- Eds...
- February 22, 2016
For Anxiety "I have had anxiety for 10 years and had given up all hope for a normal life. Last year, I was prescribed BuSpar 15mg a day, and it did nothing for me. On one of my many visits to the mental hospital, I was told to try bumping it up to 40mg. A week later, I had my first anxiety-free day. It's now been 7 months, and I haven't had a single anxiety day. I have finally started to love again, I feel normal. My doctor said that because it's not addictive and doesn't lose its effects over time like Benzos, I can continue to take it indefinitely, so I will. If you're on it and it's not working, perhaps you may need more. For me, it's finally given me my life back."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- May 20, 2013
For Anxiety "BuSpar allows me to rationally look at my intrusive thoughts without getting trapped in obsessive thinking. I have taken Xanax in the past and feel that this medication is superior, though it takes some time to build up in your system. I was against being on medication for a few years, but plan on staying on BuSpar indefinitely, as it improves my quality of life and decreases many of the physical symptoms of anxiety I have experienced in the past, such as muscle tension and teeth grinding. I have also tried Celexa in the past, and unlike an SSRI, I do not feel zombied out in the least, just clearer and more 'at ease'. I highly recommend this medication!"
- Cha...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- May 31, 2020
For Anxiety "I took BuSpar for two days. On the first day, my sleep was not deep and I had weird dreams. On the second day, I had a massive panic attack after my third dose of 5mg and was unable to sleep at all that night. It was a horrendous experience. It is an awful drug for me."
- The...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 16, 2020
For Anxiety "I have had emetophobia since I can remember (the fear of vomit). For the past couple of months, I have been dealing with horrible stomach problems and nasty anxiety attacks. When I went to the doctor, they suggested I take Zoloft for the anxiety. Zoloft was the first SSRI I tried, and the first night I tried it, I felt extremely sick. I went to the doctor again, and they put me on Prozac. I took that the first day and felt okay. The second day I took it, I couldn’t even get out of bed. I was super nervous to try anything else (especially SSRIs). So my doctor prescribed me BuSpar. It is not an SSRI and doesn’t have as bad side effects. I’m taking this pill 2 times a day and I started taking it last night, and I am now on the third dose. I haven’t felt sick at all, and I hope it stays that way!! So far, so good!"
- val...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- May 26, 2016
For Anxiety "BuSpar lifted the anxiety ever so gently. I take 3 10 mg tablets per day, and it's only $6 per month when prescribed that way. 2 15mg pills a day were $45. As if the relief from anxiety wasn't wonderful enough, after the first 3 years, I went from getting plastered with viruses to just 1 or 2 a year. Think about it... anxiety causes the brain to send out massive amounts of cortisol and adrenaline, which seriously compromises your immune system. Less cortisol & adrenaline equals a stronger immune system. Then there's the enhanced sexual experience for a percentage of us... and that's a little personal, but very appreciated!"
- Jbo...
- May 7, 2017
For Anxiety "I have debilitating anxiety which keeps me from leaving the house many days. Before, I would cry almost daily, even when life was going better. The little things tore me apart. With BuSpar... it's like I'm getting 'moments' back. I still get anxious sometimes, but I have occasional periods of feeling normal. Clear. Simple, natural interactions with family and friends are possible again. As time goes on, I'm experiencing more and more 'moments' of real life again, or life before anxiety. Multiple friends have told me I seem much happier. Though I don't particularly think of myself as suddenly 'all sunshine and roses', I feel like I have my life back. I'm actually living again."
- ALZ...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- December 25, 2019
For Anxiety "Out of the few meds I have tried BuSpar has been helping me tremendously! I initially started out on Paxil, then tried all three different doses of Zoloft. I also had hydroxyzine added into the mix to slow down my panic attacks. My doctors were more worried about treating my depression more than anything. The anxiety was so crippling I was literally having panic attacks almost every day and sometimes more than once a day. I finally had enough and told my doctor to take me off of the SSRI drugs (I honestly don't think that class of drugs agreed with my body anyway) and treat just my anxiety. So far the results are amazing. I am now on 10mg twice a day and feel a lot better. Yeah, I may have some of the random side effects that come with the meds but, in my case, the benefits outweigh the risks."
- Lon...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- January 11, 2025
For Anxiety "I wanted to write this review to let others know that this is really good for anxiety. I felt less anxiety within a couple of weeks, and 3 months on the prescription has helped me tremendously. I was on this and Prozac in my early twenties, and then went through a period of about 20 years that I was able to get off all medications…but things happened in my personal life that caused a massive downward spiral again in my mid 40s. I asked to be put back on BuSpar because I knew it worked well for me. I didn’t need the Prozac this time. I take 10 mg twice per day and my overall calmness has increased, and I feel a lot better. A lot of people don’t need benzodiazepines, and medication like BuSpar that is much safer with way less side effects works great. I recommend you try this for GAD, give it at least 3 months and you will feel better!"
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Xanax
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Prozac
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Cymbalta
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Ativan
Ativan is a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety disorders or anxiety associated with depression ...
Klonopin
Klonopin (clonazepam) is used to control seizures in epilepsy and for the treatment of panic ...
Valium
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Your review helps others make informed decisions.More about BuSpar (buspirone)
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- Drug class: miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics
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For Anxiety "If you are struggling with an anxiety or panic disorder and are looking for minimal side effects, don’t second guess this. Three weeks in and I just bought nail clippers for the first time in my adult life. That might not be life-changing, but for me… it’s a major positive. You might have a slight head buzz, but it fades and is very minimal. Almost like if you turn your head too fast. Really mellow and smooth. Life-changing stuff for me!"