Buspirone and Drowsiness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• kcl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2014

For Anxiety "I have been on this medicine for 3 weeks, and I do notice a positive change in my mood. My anxiety, overreacting, over-worry, and obsessive thoughts have greatly diminished. I worry less, get stressed less, and feel better about my life. The first day it was very sedating, but after that, I felt little or nothing after taking the pill. I take 15 mg twice a day."

• TdK...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 10, 2020

For Anxiety "This medication does absolutely nothing, and it doesn't matter how big my dosage is. The only thing it causes is terrible brain zaps and drowsiness. My anxiety and panic attacks are so bad that I have to go to the ER, and still doctors won't prescribe me benzodiazepines."

• Chr...
• September 18, 2017

Buspirone for Anxiety "Took buspirone for 2 days. It definitely helped me stay calm, but made me drowsy during the day and gave me the worst insomnia I've ever experienced at night. I know trialing it 2 days is nothing for a med, but I have a family and a demanding job where I cannot afford to not get at least a couple hours of sleep a day. The severe insomnia alone is enough for me to stop taking it. I also got insomnia from the two antidepressants I took (generic Paxil and Zoloft), so I am very sensitive to meds. I will say this though, it did seem to keep my calm and better able to focus. It works in those terms. I would recommend anyone who hasn't had success using antidepressants to try buspar/buspirone for anxiety. It just might be your golden ticket."

• som...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2016

For Anxiety "I have suffered from anxiety and depression (with a side of bipolar disorder) since I was a teenager. I've tried so many different medications over the years! I now feel like my doctors and I have found the right mix for what my body needs. I suffer from severe degenerative arthritis as well as a few other medical concerns that placed me on Tramadol and Flexeril to try to manage my pain. When I asked for an anxiety medication back (they took me off 7 months ago), she prescribed Buspirone 7.5 BID PRN. It's only been 3 days, but let me tell you, I have noticed a SIGNIFICANT difference in my thought processes, my nerves, and my sleep. All of them have had positive effects. I've only experienced drowsiness in the mornings."

• 5fr...
• July 5, 2017

For Anxiety "I experienced my very first anxiety attack three months ago, stemming from stress from work and eventually from fear of dying (provoked by the symptoms of the attacks). I began to fear nights because they occurred at night, preventing me from properly sleeping. I went two months without seeking medical help until I did. I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. They prescribed me BuSpar/Buspirone; I've been on it for a little over a month now (7.5 mg twice a day), and oh my gosh, it saved my life. I haven't had an anxiety attack since the first day I began taking it! The first week, the only side effects I got were feeling groggy in the morning, but at night when you take it, they do help you immensely to fall asleep."

• Ter...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 28, 2016

For Anxiety "I've taken Klonopin and/or Xanax for several years for anxiety and extreme panic attacks. I'm a single female who was homeless due to the economy. I slept in my car. I was dragged out of my car, beaten, and sexually assaulted by police on several occasions. I took antidepressant meds for years, and a doctor added Xanax after I got back on my feet, fighting suicide for two years. These medications were a godsend to me because they work quickly. I no longer wanted to kill myself. A new doctor, however, has told me I need to stop benzos and prescribe buspirone instead. After six weeks, I once again feel suicidal. I wake up very, very groggy, it takes hours to be fully conscious. My muscles and bones ache from the moment I wake up. It makes me feel worse than ever."

• Mat...
• April 4, 2017

Buspirone for Anxiety "Works well in combination with an SSRI. I stopped BuSpar due to drowsiness and immediate weight gain. I experienced increased appetite and wanted to eat constantly. I was diagnosed with adult attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity. I currently take Adderall, low-dose Wellbutrin XL, and low-dose Prozac. The Prozac and Wellbutrin XL assist in alleviating depressive symptoms during the winter months. Everyone is unique. Talk to your doctor; follow their advice."

• Ran...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 22, 2013

For Anxiety "I have severe anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. I am taking 60 mg of Cymbalta/day. Until recently, I was taking Ativan as needed for anxiety. When the anxiety wasn't getting better with the Ativan, I was switched to Buspar for my anxiety. I started out taking 5 mg 2x/day. Recently, increased to 10 mg 2x/day. Really helped my anxiety to where I haven't been as anxious. These last few months, I have been experiencing panic attacks again. Calling my doctor within the next week to see about increasing my dose. Overall, I have had no side effects with this medication, aside from drowsiness."

• INF...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2018

For Sexual Dysfunction, SSRI Induced "I took Buspar several years ago to help with severe anxiety I had. I can’t recall how helpful it was overall, but it did make me feel calmer for a reasonable amount of time after taking each pill (approx. an hour or two). It mostly made me drowsy and increased my libido. Fast forward to today, I’ve finally found the SSRI that works better than any medicine I’ve ever taken for depression, Prozac. After some internet research, I’ve learned that Buspar can help with sexual side effects caused by SSRIs. I’m hoping it’ll help restore some of my sexual desire and sensitivity. From my past experience with it, I assume it should help. I’ll see."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2021

For Anxiety "My experience on it was: I was on 7.5 mg two times daily for almost 4 weeks. I'm about 3 ½ weeks in. The first week was fine. The second week I got increasingly more anxiety with symptoms of really bad restlessness, nervousness, and sleeplessness. The third week still more of the same symptoms. I can't function in the mornings through all the way until evening. I took the medicine at 9 am and then at 7 pm. I couldn't sleep. She tried a third dose on me, but those symptoms fired up all my nerves and my mind. I know these are common symptoms, but if you can't handle this past the third week, stop the medicine. I'm stopping as of today after an ER trip. I do also have hyperthyroidism I am treating, but these symptoms got worse the more I took buspirone."

• Kic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2019

For Anxiety "This is my third time on buspar. I took it two times prior, with the first time didn't notice much difference, but dizziness, but I only took it for two weeks. Tried again years later and felt like a zombie (nausea, dizzy, didn’t want to get up off the couch for anything). After months of trying to increase me on trazodone (worked great for occasional sleeping pill, did nothing for my anxiety and had sexual side effects taking so much every day), my doctor suggested trying buspar again, but starting at a lower dose and increasing as needed. It took increasing the dose a few times over the course of about 2 months. But I FINALLY have some symptom relief with hardly any side effects (just a little sleepy when I take it with food in the morning). Occasionally still have my anxiety-related chest pressure, but more subtle and doesn’t last long, and only a few times a week vs. ALL the time feeling awful. Hang in there."

• jel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2019

For Anxiety "I started taking buspirone as an alternative to SSRIs/SNRIs and other similar medicines after having horrible side effects. I absolutely LOVED this medicine for the first two months of taking it -- I only had some drowsiness around a half hour after taking it, but aside from that, my anxiety was almost nonexistent!! However, after two months of taking this, I started to develop memory loss and confusion. I apparently am extremely sensitive to serotonin, and even though buspirone doesn't primarily affect serotonin, I started to develop bad side effects and had to get off of it. I would highly recommend this medication to someone who isn't sensitive to serotonin as it worked wonders up until that point for me!"

• Son...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2023

For Anxiety "I have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and heart discomfort, which eventually led to panic attacks and anxiety. My doctor recommended a non-addictive solution. I took this medication, 5 mg twice daily, for five months. As an athletic 35-year-old male, 6'3" and 190 pounds, it was 100% effective in relieving my symptoms. However, there were some downsides. I felt like a zombie for 3-4 weeks and experienced some sleepiness. My gym performance was also affected by 30-40%. On the bright side, my anxiety and panic attacks disappeared, and my libido improved significantly."

• Aug...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 2, 2022

Buspirone for Anxiety "I have been on Buspirone since May 2019. I was diagnosed with GAD, depression, and another major permanent chronic illness all at the same doctor appointment. So I was having a high level of stress. My doc started me with a 10 mg twice-a-day dose. It helped for a while. Up until about 4 or 5 months ago, I was pretty good. I still had about an average 6/10 for my anxiety, on bad days, it was about 8/10. I noticed my anxiety started creeping back up and I was really wrestling with my depression, so my psych upped my dosage to 30 mg twice a day, which is either the highest or second highest daily dosage. I've had more drowsiness since the dosage increase, but my anxiety is lower than it's ever been (3/10 average), so I'm okay with that side effect. When I am having a bad anxiety day, I can trust the fact that I can take a Buspar and within 45 minutes my anxiety will be cut in half. It's perfect in conjunction with Bupropion and Propranolol."

• AGC...
• July 13, 2016

For Anxiety "I like that it calms me down, but I'm sleepy all day. I don't like feeling sleepy, I have things to do. It does help me get a great night's sleep. I sleep like a rock, but wake up still feeling drowsy. So anyway, may not take it anymore unless it's at night from time to time since it works rather quickly for me. Yawn!!! AC"

• Wel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2016

For Anxiety "Not a good experience AT ALL. I have anxiety and depression - usually manageable with 20 mg paroxetine but exacerbated by stress at work - also diagnosed with C-PTSD. Take diazepam as and when to deal with the most severe panic attacks. Psychiatrist assured me I could still take diazepam with this drug. After the 1st dose, I felt drowsy, spaced out, and dizzy with heavy legs. I actually fell down a small flight of stairs in my house and later on in the day slipped on the main staircase. Decided to persevere and take another in the evening. Woke up feeling like a zombie, could hardly stay awake, headache, and on edge. Discontinued. That night, I woke up TERRIFIED and spent the next day (today) either having intense panic attacks or wanting to commit suicide."

• Anonymous
• August 1, 2011

For Anxiety "I have been taking this medicine for around 4 years. It has helped my anxiety so much. It stops the overwhelming thoughts and panic. I suffered a traumatic event and felt so much anxiety after, I didn't know what to do. I was prescribed 15 mg 2x a day but only take it once and feel that it's enough. The only side effects I feel are 'brain zaps' and dizziness if I forget to take the medicine after a day or two, but it goes away. It makes me drowsy too, but exercise helps with this. It may have caused weight gain, but nothing too over the top. The positive outcome of taking this medicine outweighs the negatives. Everyone is different, but this medicine works for me!"

• Hal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 20, 2023

Buspirone for Panic Disorder "I have been on this for almost a year, and it helps, but not enough. I am on 10 mg three times a day. It honestly helps for maybe an hour tops, and then I feel the same again. I seriously hate having to take it three times a day. It really doesn't help that much either, maybe if I was on a higher dosage it would. It also makes me feel tired and groggy, sort of like I have taken Benadryl or something. I might as well just take Dramamine or Benadryl for the same exact effect. It's really not convenient having to take it three times a day either. I have severe anxiety, and it just doesn't do it for me. However, if you have mild anxiety, I think this might work great."

• Anonymous
• February 17, 2012

For Anxiety "This is the first medication that was both affordable and worked well for my anxiety. There was an adjustment period where I felt kind of tingly, almost like being sedated, right after taking it for an hour or so. That decreased and went away completely in about a month. The only other side effect I have noticed is that my memory and concentration aren't as sharp as they were without the medication. It is not bad enough to affect my daily life. The most important thing I can tell you about this medication is that I finally feel at peace in situations that used to make me so anxious that I had to avoid them. I feel like I just got my life back."

• Viv...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2019

For Anxiety "I would warn you to be very wary of this drug. Started as a way of being able to control anxiety and depression, and so I could lower my dosage of diazepam. It made everything worse. This was at the lowest dose. Insomnia, nausea, groggy, tired. Only tried this as the SNRI did not work either. Use this at your peril."

• Pun...
• September 21, 2016

For Anxiety "I've been on Buspar 15 days now. I can't say as of yet if it has helped a lot or not. It's not bad, but I have noticed certain things I go through that I'm not sure if it's side effects or just my anxiety. Like I feel drowsy about 30 minutes after. I've noticed a tingly or itchy sensation in my hands, feet, and arms (at different times). Also, more headaches than before I started Buspar. Lightheadedness, even though I've felt that way before taking it. Upset stomach or nausea. Sharp sensations in different places. Oh yes, and definitely noticed weird dreams. The reason I rate a five is that I do feel like it brings a calmness over me and my racing thoughts aren't so bad, and after the first week, I can see that it keeps me tired more, and I do sleep better."

• Wan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2017

For Anxiety "My doctor just started me on buspirone, 7.5 mg twice a day! It makes me super drowsy, as if I'm drunk. I am always lightheaded and drowsy, I am even wondering if I have anxiety. I've been on it since Friday, and today is Monday. So maybe in about 2 weeks I will feel better! I sure hope so!"

• Nic...
• November 11, 2021

Buspirone for Panic Disorder "I was prescribed BuSpar for panic attacks. I started out on 5 mg twice a day. I was feeling great for a few weeks, and then once I was bumped up to 10 mg twice a day, I felt lousy. Constant headache around the eyes, drowsy, little appetite, and weak. I do not recommend taking this drug."

• Eve...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2018

Buspirone for Anxiety "I've had anxiety for several years with full-blown panic attacks that have sent me to the ER. Fortunately, I've kept those at bay for the last year, but I still get anxiety at night. I finally decided to go to the doctor but didn't want a benzo. I was prescribed 15 mg tabs, I take one at night, and it does absolutely nothing for my anxiety. If anything, it makes me a tad drowsy. Not what I was hoping for."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2021

For Anxiety "This just didn’t work for me. It was the first medication I had ever taken for anxiety/chronic dizziness. The only thing I noticed was increased drowsiness. Decided to switch to an SSRI and had near immediate improvement."