Buspirone and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Unk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2017

Buspirone for Anxiety "I've had panic and general anxiety for years. It's been exacerbated by hormonal changes and menopause, and I've had major trouble getting a full night's sleep. I have used Xanax occasionally and love the way it eliminates my anxiety, but I don't want to get addicted. My doc had me try a low dose of BuSpar, and it didn't work for me at all. It gave me a horrendous headache, very, very painful. I tried it for about three days and had the same experience every time. I had to stop taking it since this side effect was debilitating. I was hoping it would work for me, and I'm so glad it works for others. Just putting my experience out there in case others have this problem. I'm trying Celexa now instead and have learned to limit Xanax usage."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2023

For Anxiety "I was hesitant to start any medication for a whole year, anxiety is awful. My anxiety was based on my fear of driving, bridges, overpasses, and tunnels. I got to the point where stop lights were a problem also. It was getting worse when I finally said enough when I couldn’t drive to work anymore. I started buspirone 2.5 mg twice a day, and within the second day, I was starting to enjoy life. Looking at things in a different way, with clarity and open-mindedness. I also drove on the second day. That was a big milestone for me. Give this drug a try, don’t be scared. I was, but I trusted the people who gave it to me. The only side effects I had were headache, dizziness, and a little nausea, but they go away quickly. Give it a try."

• tra...
• January 19, 2019

Buspirone for Anxiety "My new doctor wanted me off Xanax .05 twice a day and to take Buspirone instead. I have been on the antidepressant Effexor for 14 years. I am on Gabapentin for severe sciatica and have liver cirrhosis. So I have to be careful what I take. My medication was working great for me, and then I started on Buspirone, and in two days, I became aggressive and then also felt buzzed and felt no way could I get behind the wheel of a car. This was a bad drug for me. Here the doctor is against Xanax, which I take for anxiety .05 2x a day, and it keeps me calm without feeling any dizziness, etc., and puts me on Buspirone, which made my head feel drunk. I am a recovered alcoholic for 5 years, and this drug does not work for me at all. If it is used for drug addictions, I can see why. It makes you feel high. I did not like the feeling or the headache I got the next day. I am going back to the doctor."

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2019

For Anxiety "I take 100 mg of Zoloft along with 7.5 mg of buspirone 2x a day, and all I have to say is that this medication is a life changer for me! This is week 3 for me, the first week it didn’t seem to work at all, had lots of side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and headaches, but by the end of the second week, I felt a major difference and the side effects subsided. I definitely recommend this medication to anyone who’s experiencing general anxiety."

• 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."

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2019

For Anxiety "Total garbage. Buspirone does nothing for anxiety or panic disorder for me, but it comes with a lot of side effects, including debilitating headaches. I gave this a try and was very disappointed and even more anxious than usual. Benzos are really the only thing that helps, and this is a very poor option for me."

• Unf...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 24, 2017

For Anxiety "I know this med doesn't work for everyone, but I really love Buspar. When I started it, and whenever I have gone up in dose, I'll get a few days of headaches, but the side effects are so mild, and this is coming from someone who couldn't handle 5 mg of Lexapro. Buspar is the only med I take, and I no longer have crushing and debilitating anxiety. I've got a totally normal level of anxiety. Best of all, I feel like myself completely (minus the anxiety, lol). I take 15 mg twice a day."

• Anonymous
• March 15, 2009

For Anxiety "At first, I thought my doctor gave me a placebo since I am usually very sensitive to medicines and will have every side effect listed. Started with 5 mg three times a day. Noticed that after a few days my daily tension headaches were gone and my energy level had increased. After two weeks, the tightness in my throat eased and palpitations were much better. Twelve weeks later, I feel really good, alert, much calmer, no headaches or palpitations. My energy level is wonderful, not that nervous energy (GAD sufferers know what I am talking about). I don't feel the need to nap any longer. It's quiet in my head, and I love it. Will take this medicine for as long as I can. This medication takes a while to kick in, so please try to stick with it for at least 8 weeks, it's worth it."

• Whi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 27, 2019

For Anxiety "Used to treat anxiety. Buspirone actually intensified my anxiety levels as well as delivered an almost instantaneous headache as soon as I'd ingest it. I wake up in the morning ready to take my Buspar and have to ask myself if I want a headache or not. Not a happy camper."

• Bus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2019

For Anxiety "I’ve been taking Buspar for nearly 4 weeks now, and I will admit that my fear and anxiety towards certain situations have gotten a lot better. However, the other side effects were not worth continuing the medications. Trouble sleeping - insomnia, constant headaches especially when waking up, pain in head when sneezing, coughing, or “pushing,” moments of extreme crying for no reason, getting sick after eating (although could be contributed to my diabetes), spacing out, slurred speech, sudden vaginal bleeding (haven’t had a period for months), body tremors. I have decided to stop using this medication on behalf of everything else being affected by it."

• Shy...
• October 6, 2017

For Anxiety "I started taking buspirone 5 mg 3x a day due to having severe anxiety. I've been on it for a few days now, and I noticed its effectiveness the very first day! I did have a terrible headache the first day, but none since then. It definitely helps keep me calm, and I'm able to function without an attack. I was a little skeptical at first, looking at all the negative reviews, but it actually has done wonders for me in the few days I've been on it."

• 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."

• Aki...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2019

For Anxiety "I've only just started buspirone, but let me tell you it's been helping so far. My doc prescribed 3.25 mg 3x a day as needed. The first dose helped my anxiety tremendously. My doctor recently switched me from Celexa (which I had been on for 12 years) to Prozac due to a sudden increase in my depression. I was afraid I was going to have to pick between treating my depression or anxiety, but so far the combo of Prozac and buspirone has been incredible. The only downside so far is some headaches. I'm hoping they will go away with time."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2021

Buspirone for Anxiety "I was afraid to try something new. So afraid I had this RX for a month before trying it. I felt it instantly, starting at 5 mg a day for 1.5 weeks. I got headaches the first week and mild dizziness within and ending the first 30 minutes. I felt irritated and like it wasn’t working. My psychiatrist moved me to 2-5 mg and then to 3-5 mg a day. By week 2, I felt better about driving again and went into a store for the first time in a while. I just hit week 3 and will move to 10 mg in the AM, 5 mg at lunch, and 5 mg around 3 or I have trouble going to sleep. It has been working well and hopefully will continue to work. I need to get back to everyday comfort and be able to not only live a good life for myself but also for my kids and husband."

• Coz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2024

For Anxiety "I have been taking buspirone for 2 weeks tomorrow. At first, I felt a slight feeling of relief and something equivalent to a benzo. My anxiety is terrible, and I've been having panic attacks. I could go through the trouble of explaining how my anxiety is, but just trust me, it's debilitating. I've had depression/anxiety since high school and used to buy Xanax to cope. It wasn't until after my stint with Clonazepam that I've been waiting for a drug like Buspirone. I am a schizoaffective/GAD/PTSD person, and I can tell you that Buspirone is worth a try. I've had a headache from this medication, but every time I take the medication (still not fully kicked in), I can do more and more. Hopefully, in the upcoming weeks, I experience more of what others have described."

• Ano...
• December 4, 2018

For Anxiety "I live in an area where there are a lot of drug addicts, so they didn't want to prescribe me a benzo. I took this because my PTSD had been so out of control. I was hopeful, but slowly realized my anxiety was 100 times worse on it. I kept taking it, thinking maybe it just wasn't kicking in yet. Next thing I knew, I was scared to go to the store, and I felt like people were watching me when I was alone in my house. I'd check and double-check my windows were closed. My vision would vibrate, and I felt dizzy and constantly dehydrated with a headache. It was absolutely terrible. I weaned myself off of it because I couldn't wait for my next psych appointment. Now I'm back to just taking my Lamictal, and I feel loads better. Did nothing for me when it came to panic attacks. I need something I can take as needed."

• Ger...
• December 14, 2015

For Anxiety "I just started taking buspirone again so I can wean off of Ativan (lorazepam). I always had headaches and migraines, but when I take buspirone, it helps to combat my headache. My anxiety is decreased, but I'm in a cranky mood, that could be due to withdrawals from lorazepam. I totally agree with the fact that a negative review of this product could keep people that desperately need it from even trying it. Like the medic said, no one knows why a medicine, especially in this class, works like a wonder drug for some and not for others. I've tried many, and I hope this is my last one. I also take Effexor every day along with some other non-controlled meds for pain and arthritis."

• rod...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2021

For Anxiety "Taken for generalized anxiety disorder. Unfortunately, this medicine wasn’t the one for me. Within 2-3 doses, it was very clear to me I was dissociating pretty badly. It was unsettling, and I felt as though people weren’t real or that I was living in a dream. On top of this, I had constant throbbing headaches and dizziness that never went away. I also had some dream disturbances, the dreams became so vivid I would wake up “hungover,” and some were scary enough I was scared to sleep. Many people would say, “you quit too early,” but enduring these side effects, particularly the dissociation, is not something I was prepared to do for a month. Good luck."

• Rec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 20, 2016

For Anxiety "Like you, I came to this website in a desperate attempt to find any medication that would help alleviate the mental and physical pain that I was experiencing. I have tried a couple of different SSRI medications in the past at different times but eventually discontinued them after a couple of months due to their limited effectiveness in reducing my anxiety and the side effects they caused (headache, sense of detachment, inability to gain an erection or orgasm, nausea). Buspirone has been very helpful at reducing my anxiety and improving my quality of life. I am currently in week 5 of my treatment of 22.5 mg per day. I take 7.5 mg at 8:00, 12:30, and 5:00. The only side effect that I experience is dizziness 15 minutes after taking."

• jk ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2016

For Anxiety "Been on Buspar for the last week... started with 5 mg in the evening for a few days and now 5 mg in the morning and 5 mg in the evening. There were initial side effects such as dizziness, headaches, and dry mouth... but they are going down every day. I would say this medication is helping me already... feeling less anxious. Even now sitting and watching a game with 50 people in a bar :). That has never happened before. I am feeling more productive, but I have to give it a few weeks before calling it a success... will update in 2... 3 weeks..."

• Anonymous
• November 27, 2011

Buspirone for Anxiety "I've been on BuSpar for about 6 weeks. At first, I had headaches that turned into migraines. After taking 15 mg in the AM, 15 in the PM as prescribed, I no longer have experienced anxiety attacks and handle stress much better."

• sj8...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2021

For Anxiety "Buspirone has been amazing for me. I am calmer and happier. I can go to sleep fast and actually stay asleep. Situations that would have caused great anxiety I hardly blink at. I feel like I'm simply a nicer and more pleasant person to be around, and I love it. I felt the effects very fast. Whatever it's doing to my brain, I approve. Side effects: headache and dizziness initially that went away. I had such a good effect from it that I honestly cannot believe the bad reviews and wonder if folks are giving adequate time for the drug to work and a chance for the side effects to go away."

• Lop...
• November 19, 2016

For Anxiety "Was on this for a month... I went mental!! I was less anxious, but the side effects were really... really bad. I was extremely depressed and aggressive! I was itchy all over, but no rashes, and I had an awful headache that tramadol couldn't even touch!!! Went to a wedding and spent most of the time in the bathroom just to avoid people. Personally, if a GP suggests this drug to you, I would say no, GOD NO! But this is only from my own experience. I'm now on Prozac and diazepam because it messed me up so much. Looking forward to some normality in my head!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2019

For Panic Disorder "First off, I don't even know how this is legal, and it's a full-blown lie that this drug is known to not have its 'side effects.' I took this drug for three days, 5 mg twice a day, and could NOT handle the side effects. Every time I took it, suicidal idealizations came about. I could barely walk on it nor keep my head up. The headaches or brain zaps were ridiculous. I finally called my doctor on the third day and asked him what to do, and they told me to stop IMMEDIATELY. Holy cow, the evening that I stopped was the WORST experience that I have ever had. I was only on this drug for THREE days, and the withdrawal symptoms were brutal as well. It's been three days since I stopped, and I still feel the aftermath. It left me worse than before."

• Can...
• June 24, 2019

For Anxiety "I've tried a lot of different meds over the last 15 years. This has by far been the worst for side effects. I've been on buspirone for 7 days (10 mg 2x a day). I would rather go through the withdrawal from benzos than the side effects from buspirone. It has the most intense side effects I've ever felt. Way worse than starting Cymbalta, which was kind of bad. I haven't really slept now for 3 days. It doesn't cause me any anxiety, but the side effects-lightheadedness, headaches, tinnitus, lethargy, muscle weakness, my entire body has this super intense tingling and itching sensation, pounding heartbeat, and loss of appetite-are intense enough for the last 3 days that I can't sleep. I'm past my point of being able to tolerate the sides. I have to say this one just isn't for me at all. Worst damn medication I've tried for social anxiety ever. Can't wait for this to clear my system so I can finally sleep and regain some sanity. I would rather deal with the anxiety than this feeling."