Buspirone and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Win...
• December 19, 2016

For Anxiety "I started buspirone last week. Prescribed to take one 7.5 mg twice a day. I'm not big on pill taking, so with my doctor's consent, have only taken them when needed. The first day was... a unique one. I was extremely lightheaded and dizzy, as if the entire room was spinning, but at the same time, I had this unbelievable sense of relief from my anxiety. There are no words for the sense of relief and calm that I felt. With each day I've taken them, the dizzy spells have gotten weaker and weaker. I do have a dull headache afterward, but it passes with time and Tylenol. I'm hoping that goes away as well. But if I have to choose between minor dizziness and a slight headache over the chest-pounding, agonizingly severe panic attack... I choose the buspirone."

• Han...
• September 17, 2015

For Anxiety "I've been on buspirone for almost a week now, which isn't very long... but I've already seen dramatic improvement. Although it's too early to tell if it's a true success, I noticed someone mentioned that they felt sick and hot and dizzy for hours. If you eat before you take it, it shouldn't give you those side effects. It says you don't have to take it with food, but it works way more efficiently when I take it after eating. My physical symptoms of anxiety and the panic attacks went from an everyday thing to almost nonexistent."

• Rai...
• August 11, 2014

For Anxiety "I was prescribed buspirone for my generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder (as well as clonazepam). Three doses a day; in the afternoon only a dose of buspirone. The first three weeks were hard, as it took that long to get into my system. Once it kicked in, however, I noticed a huge difference. I felt more balanced and less likely to have a panic attack. Once I took a dose, it took effect in half an hour. It does well on its own to control the anxiety. I took a couple stars off because the side effects are true to the label. They aren't so severe after years of taking it, but the dizziness is strong. I feel like my body will just fall one way or the other, and it's hard to gather strength. Now I take only one dose a day, and it works just as well."

• Diz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2016

For Anxiety "I've only taken Buspar 7.5 for 2 days now. I've been prescribed 7.5 2x a day, but until the side effects go away, I'm not about to take 2 a day. Within 20 minutes or so after taking (with food), my head starts whooshing, and I'm very dizzy (almost feel drunk/high). It lasts about an hour, then I feel better. Is this something someone else has experienced? Is it something that will go away? Is the side effect an allergy to the drug? Basically, I'm taking it to get rid of anxiety/panic attacks and help me to need less Xanax. With these side effects, I'll need MORE Xanax! Lol"

• Kel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 30, 2021

Buspirone for Panic Disorder "Wouldn't recommend this to my worst enemy. Just wanted to share that I had the worst panic attacks of my life on this medicine. I would shake uncontrollably at random times, get extremely dizzy, and feel brain zaps throughout the day. I was on 5 mg, and this medicine had this much effect on me. Made me extremely depressed, and my doctor didn't even know it was the medicine that was causing these side effects. Please be careful when taking this medicine, it can be very dangerous."

• cla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2012

Buspirone for Panic Disorder "I was given this for panic disorder with agoraphobia. It made me so dizzy every time I took it that I couldn't even read a book because it felt like I was in a washing machine being twirled around. I took it at night before bed, and I had to make sure I was in bed when I took it, and I could not be walking around or doing anything because I was afraid I'd stumble or fall down. I took it for eight days, and it didn't get any better, so finally, I stopped taking it. It had no noticeable improvement on my anxiety anyway, and I didn't see the point in taking something that made me feel like I was on a merry-go-round."

• Iro...
• June 29, 2017

Buspirone for Anxiety "This medication did not work for my anxiety. BuSpar actually allowed my anxiety to increase with severe insomnia and vivid dreams. It also caused severe stomach and intestinal problems. I also experienced dizziness, irritability, and incoordination. There are other symptoms from BuSpar, these are the main ones that caused me to stop taking the drug."

• Kan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2017

Buspirone for Anxiety "Been on BuSpar 6 weeks and 1 day today. Trying to stay the course and not give up till 8 weeks. On 15 mg (3x/day) and titrated my way up over the last 6 weeks. Tried 20 mg but felt like I took speed and my extremities had very uncomfortable tingling. Even at 6 weeks when I take my 5 mg dose, my heart still races and I get dizzy and feel some heightened anxiety about an hour after taking it. Lasts about an hour. I also have some left leg thigh pain now. I’ve read so much on this drug and it’s hard to know if you should go up or down in dose to get the right level for your body. My pDoc doesn’t seem to know much more than I do. In those 6 weeks, I’ve only had a few hours out of 2 non-consecutive days of anxiety/fear relief. I’ll write another review at 8 weeks."

• abe...
• March 30, 2016

For Anxiety "I've suffered anxiety since I was a teenager. Found out my mum had cancer in the fall, anxiety went from mild to severe. It got to the point where I couldn't go a day without some sort of attack. I was miserable, enough for my husband to notice and demand I go to the doctor. Didn't want to be put on anything addictive, was prescribed Buspar, 10 mg. I take as needed, sometimes only 5 mg. It works miracles for me. My only complaint is that sometimes I'll get these brain shocks or moments of vertigo. I don't drive while on it. But other than that, I'm glad that I can be there for my mum without having a breakdown."

• ang...
• September 5, 2015

Buspirone for Anxiety "I was not able to function on this medication. I took one half of my pill as directed. 30 mins later I was hot, felt sick, everything irritated me. I was dizzy. I had to lay on my couch for 3 hours. I will never take this again."

• kon...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 21, 2014

For Anxiety "When I first started taking this at 5 mg twice daily (10 mg daily total) for generalized anxiety disorder, I was an absolute zombie, especially in the morning after taking my first dose. I was dizzy and unable to think straight. I was useless and confused at work, making my anxiety worse. Once I cut down to 2.5 mg at bedtime, it was perfect for me. The ability to sleep well helped me to make better food choices, exercise more, and think more clearly. If I had more severe anxiety that needed stronger management, I don't think this medicine would have been appropriate for me, but it was great for my situation. I discontinued use during pregnancy but plan to revisit it as an option once I finish breastfeeding."

• Smo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2024

Buspirone for Anxiety "I am only 4 doses in, 7.5 mg per pill, 2x a day, and wow. Game changer. I have had general anxiety for years and only after 2.5 days I feel a positive change. BuSpar has calmed my everyday anxious thoughts, and I would always think about the extreme. It's like your body and mind 'wants' to have these thoughts because you are so used to the rumination, but with BuSpar, it physically does not allow you to get to those places. The dizziness isn't terrible, it's more of a calming lightheadedness, but not something I want to deal with long-term, so I am hoping it subsides. I know they say you can take it with or without food, and I haven't had enough trial runs with doing so. The brain fuzz subsides a little after lunchtime if you take it in the morning. The only downfall I have right now is the nightmares and dreams. I don't want to say I don't have the 'I don't care' mindset and I truly haven't been tested in intense situations yet, but overall daily life, BuSpar has been great."

• sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2020

For Anxiety "I have anxiety to the point where I get chest pain and I can black out. When I went to my last doctor appointment, he was rather shocked and worried that my heart rate was so rapid. I do have other health concerns and issues, however, he agreed that the cause of my increased heart rate was my anxiety. So, in searching for the right preventative medication to calm my heart and mind, we started with buspirone. First off, I tried to take as little as possible, and I STILL got so lightheaded that I had to lie down. I couldn’t see straight. It did absolutely nothing for my anxiety. In fact, it made me basically ADHD and couldn’t sit still or be calm because of how dizzy I was. Everyone is different, but I honestly can say this drug is so not worth it."

• Vet...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 25, 2022

For Panic Disorder "Was prescribed this medication by the VA. I was on it for over a year. It made me feel dizzy and nauseated the entire time. The worst part of this was trying to get off of it. The withdrawal was severe, despite being tapered off of it. My brain felt like it was being electrocuted, I would get intermittent zaps for about 3 weeks after stopping the medication. My heart would race, I experienced sweating, couldn't sleep, and had terrible nightmares."

• A...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2017

For Anxiety "This medication is great! I've been suffering severe anxiety for three years now, and I finally decided to get on some medication for it. Zoloft didn't work for me and made me feel horrible, so we tried buspar next. The only side effects I got were slight dizziness and feeling fuzzy for the first three days, and then I was fine. I'm definitely way less anxious now, and it was great. I suggest giving it a try if it's just anxiety and not depression, because that's what things like Zoloft focus on."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2013

For Anxiety "I'm so glad I found this site because it is so uplifting and informative. I have been told that Buspar takes a while to start working, but after a few days of 10 mg/day, I can tell a difference in my attitude. My neuro in FL that handles my SCA said to take this because it has helped with balance issues that SCA patients have. Haven't noticed yet, but will see. I do deal with some dizziness in the morning after taking it, but that's it. I love it so far. Thanks, everyone."

• Ric...
• November 27, 2016

For Anxiety "Started taking this medication for GAO. I had never taken any medication regularly before. I got diagnosed with GAO at 31. Started on a low dose of 5 mg per day, and over the course of a month, it got bumped up to 15 mg twice a day. This drug didn't give me immediate relief. It took six weeks, but all of the symptoms of my GAO have disappeared. I am finally reaping the rewards of the full clinical effect, I feel like myself again! Initially, I had side effects like dizziness, ringing in my ears, and nausea, but over time, they have lessened. I still don't feel too hot for the first hour after I take it, but after that hour, I'm golden. I had to be patient and just deal with my GAO, which sucked. My take: The juice is worth the squeeze."

• cmc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2020

For Panic Disorder "I had a hard time when I started this buspirone medication. The first three weeks were really difficult, and I felt like it was making me worse. I am glad I stuck with it. I have been taking it for seven weeks now. My current dose is 5 mg three times a day. I still have some anxiety, but I can cope with it better. I haven’t had a panic attack in three weeks. I hope the panic attacks stay away. I did have a lot of dizziness in the beginning and brain fog, but it went away. Give it a try."

• GAD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2022

Buspirone for Anxiety "I started taking this medication after taking Mirtazapine (increased weight gain but worked well for sleep), Wellbutrin (increased my anxiety immensely), and Xanax. I don’t think anything works quite as well as Xanax for panic attacks (and I still have to take it when I feel them coming on), but BuSpar really helped control my GAD. I went from having intrusive thoughts looping inside my head, increased heart rate, changes in body temperature, and feeling constantly on the edge to being able to get through the day without the sense of impending doom. I still have anxiety, but it doesn’t feel like the end of the world anymore, and I have been able to get my life back. Some side effects: dizziness after first taking it and brain zaps for the first few weeks, but very little compared to others. I started with 5 mg and now take 15 mg broken apart through the day. With meditation, exercise, talk therapy, healthier foods, and this medication, I finally have my life back."

• Mim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2019

Buspirone for Anxiety "This med is the only anti-anxiety med I can take in order to use a Rx sleep med. Once stable, I'll go off my current anti-anxiety med. - Initial side effects: sore throat, dizziness, feeling 'excited' (over-reacting), and bad nausea. As a result, my psychiatrist told me to stop my 3 weeks of 20 mg/day. My pharmacist concurred. Unfortunately, I listened. I had 2 days of migraines. Less than a day later, I was in the ER. 'Stiffness' of the legs...excruciating pain and could barely walk. I had 'pain...weakness in the hands and feet.' The pain in my hands was almost unbearable! I saw my PCP 4 days later. Still in horrible pain, she told me to go back to the 20 mg; my body was craving it. I felt relief, and within 2 weeks, I was fine. I'm still on 20 mg. I now have had depression for a few weeks. I'm continuing BuSpar so I can get a sleep med due to 40 years of insomnia."

• san...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2015

Buspirone for Anxiety "I take BuSpar 5 mg twice a day for anxiety. After a week, I will then take BuSpar 10 mg twice a day. I have only been taking it 4 days now. I also take Paxil 50 mg daily and Adderall 10 mg twice daily. So far, I have had no side effects from the BuSpar except slight dizziness and lack of appetite. So far, those are tolerable."

• Wor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2018

Buspirone for Anxiety "I started the medication for my anxiety and bipolar. The first dose was not bad, but the second dose took me 2 hours before I could get up, I was so dizzy and lightheaded. It made my panic attacks worse and I felt so spaced out. I have a terrible headache that keeps coming and going."

• Jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2019

For Anxiety "Took buspar for 6 days at 5 mg three times a day. I stopped taking it because it made me feel 4x worse. The medication made me feel suicidal, dizzy, light-headed, it ruined my appetite, gave me insomnia, and hallucinations. 7 weeks later I’m still feeling some of these symptoms! This medication has ruined my life, stay away."

• Ano...
• March 3, 2015

Buspirone for Anxiety "PTSD. Seemed to help some. Have a bit of dizziness, loopy for about 15 to 30 minutes after taking, then okay. Was taking other meds and got sick and barfed often. Quit taking, and nausea stopped. After a couple of months, feeling quite anxious, so started up BuSpar again, and anxiety seems to be very much calmed down. I plan to space meds out throughout the day and find a schedule where my tummy doesn't feel so nauseated."

• Lov...
• June 27, 2015

For Panic Disorder "Ok, I've been having panic attacks since I was in middle school, and I'm 29 now. Over time, they have gotten worse. It feels like I'm dying, and I can't do anything about it. I also freeze in one spot and have some type of seizure where I can't move, and I don't remember what happens. It's very scary! So, I was given Xanax to help, but it made it worse. When I turned 20, I was given 5 mg 2x a day of Buspar, and it had me in a corner feeling miserable. I wish everyone the best of luck because living like this is hard. Currently, my new doctor upped my dose to 15 mg every 12 hours. I'm not saying it's better, but it has been helping. The only problem is I'm starting to feel dizzy when I first take it, then sleepy, also detached, alone. Only time will tell."