Buspirone and Lightheadedness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• 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."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 20, 2019

For Anxiety "I was put on 10 mg of Buspirone twice a day for breakthrough anxiety. I used it only as needed, but my doctor told me that in order for it to help, I had to take it as prescribed. I started taking it twice a day, and at some point thought that it was making me feel worse. About 10 days ago, after a couple of weeks on this dosage, I experienced crippling anxiety, stiff muscles, urinary problems, jerky movements in my arms and legs, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and finally full-blown panic attacks, which I had never had before. From Wednesday to Saturday, I had 3 hours of sleep, no appetite, and my right knee became swollen, red, painful, and I couldn't bend it or my fingers. This was one of the worst experiences I've ever had and the worst reaction to medication: angry outbursts, nausea, and confusion. I think some people can safely take Buspar and others have side effects that are unbearable."

• hal...
• November 1, 2010

Buspirone for Anxiety "I've been on this medication for over two months. BuSpar helps with day-to-day, general anxiety. That said, I don't feel that I can rely on this medication to stop panic attacks. I still have agoraphobic feelings and certain anxious thoughts (hypochondria-type things) that haven't ceased since before starting this medication. Side effects I've noticed: lightheadedness, moderate fatigue, munchies, snackiness, increased libido, and depth of taste. Give it a try. Compared to SSRIs, it seems to be as effective without changing one's brain chemistry so drastically."

• Mes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 22, 2019

For Anxiety "I have been on this medication since October 2018. Originally given 10 mg twice per day. Could not function at all. I got dizzy and tired. Had to leave work one day. Could not sleep at night. Told my doctor and his answer was 'take NyQuil.' Decided myself to taper to 15 mg and at night only. Did that for a while. Recently, it seemed to just get worse. I have worked down to 10 mg for now, but after reading reviews, I am ready to quit. I had a few panic attacks recently, and I can't go on like this. Overall, I felt dizzy, tired, spacey, more anxious, and it completely changed my diet. I also think it gave me stomach issues."

• Ale...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2017

Buspirone for Anxiety "I'm taking BuSpar for anxiety that I'm having due to an injury. I broke my wrist about 8 weeks ago, and I am in a cast from the tip of my thumb to just below the elbow. My doctor told me I might be in this cast for 12 weeks or significantly longer. I started having bad anxiety and panic attacks. So my family doctor put me on BuSpar and Zoloft for the duration of being in a cast. So far, it hasn't seemed to help very much, 7.5 mg twice daily. I'm hoping that it will start helping with the anxiety. I do feel a little lightheaded and I'm always tired. This isn't my first broken bone or cast, but this is the first time I've ever experienced anxiety."

• OCP...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2017

For Anxiety "I've been titrating up on Buspar after going off of Xanax last year and then starting up with 5 mg fluoxetine and 10 mg doxepin. So far, this is working far more gently than the Xanax. I don't have a zap of relief followed by impending panic attacks within hours. I am much more level. I am having side effects of nausea, dizziness, and light-headedness for a few days after each increase in dosage. I'm up to 20 mg 3x a day, and I'm supposed to sit tight here, so I'm hoping to be done with the side effects soon and get into a stable state. I had a ton of problems with withdrawal from the benzos, so I don't want to go back to them; buspirone has been a great alternative so far. My anxiety is so bad that I'd rather be dizzy and nauseated than anxious."

• lmp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2017

Buspirone for Anxiety "Developed anxiety and panic again after not having it for 30 years. Could have been triggered by an attack of vertigo. Dr. put me on Buspar 10 mg twice a day. I was also on Prozac 20 mg once a day and Clonopin 0.5 mg once at night for years and felt just fine. The Buspar made me spacey and did not help the anxiety. They reduced it to 5 mg twice a day. Still a little spacey and did not help anxiety. Upped my Clonopin to an extra 0.5 mg in the morning and 0.25 mg in the afternoon. Buspar is not helping. Going to ask my doctor to change to something else. Been on it almost a couple of months. Any help anyone can give me? Thanks so much. I am also afraid to be alone at home since hubby works 2nd shift but is going to 1st shift next week, which will help."

• the...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2017

Buspirone for Anxiety "I have been on BuSpar for about 2 months now for anxiety from Keppra. It seems to work sometimes, but when I get an anxiety or panic attack, it hits hard. I was on 5 mg twice a day, and now my dose is really high. Like today, it seems to have no effect. And I'm always lightheaded, dizzy, fogged out feeling. And my other doctor said to try Xanax."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2021

For Anxiety "Currently taking along with bupropion. I have been on bupropion for years, and my anxiety level has always been high. Have taken buspirone 7.5 mg now 3 daily for just over a week and am ready to call the physician and scream. This is horrible: heart palpitations, lightheaded, shaking, irritable, racing heart... and on and on. Seriously, feel like I’m losing my mind. No medication that is supposed to remedy a condition should make it worse before improving it."

• 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."

• Age...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2015

Buspirone for Anxiety "I did not like this medication. For anxiety, I have also tried Hydroxyzine (Atarax). I guess this is just my personal body chemistry, but I actually prefer Atarax to this, unlike most people. This made me very lightheaded and dizzy. I can't exactly remember the effect it had on anxiety, I think it may have helped a little."

• Tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2017

For Anxiety "Prescribed 7.5 mg twice a day, to eventually move up to 15 mg. The first dose made me so dizzy and lightheaded that I had to lie down. I tried just one small dose for a few days after, kept getting dizzy spells and feeling faint. Actually increased anxiety because I was so worried about the side effects."

• Ano...
• October 5, 2016

For Anxiety "For GAD, I take 10 mg once a day in the afternoon currently. I've been on this dose for approx 2 months, and the only side effect is a bad lightheaded, slightly dizzy feeling approx 30 minutes after taking it, which lasts for 30 min to 1 hour. I was hoping it would go away after taking it for a while, but the dizziness comes on like clockwork after taking it. It greatly helps my anxiety in the evening after taking it, but my anxiety returns mid-morning. I'm not sure I could take a morning dose because of the side effect of being lightheaded for a while. If I could get past the dizziness this medication causes and get to a 10 mg 2x a day, I think it would greatly improve my GAD 24x7."

• Rus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 30, 2017

For Anxiety "I’ve found Buspar to be fairly effective in helping control health-related anxiety. Buspar has helped tremendously. Two very important things: First, it took probably two weeks to really kick in. Second, the correct dosage was critical. The doctor initially started me on 15 mg per day. While it helped, I was still having days. We bumped it to 20 mg, and it has made a world of difference. We gradually increased the dosage to 30 mg, but my arms began aching with no significant improvement, so we went back to 20 mg. My morning dose still makes me lightheaded for a bit, but I’m better able to cope with my anxiety."

• red...
• September 23, 2011

Buspirone for Anxiety "I've been taking BuSpar for about a week and a half now and haven't really seen any dramatic results so far. I started out taking a 15 mg pill in the morning and a 15 mg pill in the evening, being a total of 30 mg total. This gave me awful headaches, and I started experiencing lightheadedness. I bumped my dosage down to half of that now and am currently feeling better when it comes to the side effects. Hopefully, by the 3rd or 4th week, I will get the full effect from this medicine."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• August 25, 2011

For Anxiety "I have been taking Buspar for 6 months now. It gave me my life back. My anxiety was so bad I could hardly function. I almost died a few years ago, and since then, my anxiety about my health and death was overwhelming. I love Buspar, and I pray it continues to work. I take 30 mg twice a day. No side effects, just a little light-headed for a few minutes, but nothing serious."

• 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!"

• Bee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2017

For Anxiety "My doctor put me on this medicine on 2-17-2017 twice a day at 7.5 mg for my anxiety and stress levels. Today is 2-20-2017, and I'm already having issues. I ended up getting extremely lightheaded, heart racing, sweating, and dizzy all in the matter of five minutes. I went to go to the bathroom so I could try and feel better. Next time I remember, I was on the floor lying in a pool of my own vomit. At that time, I had no idea what was going on, what had happened, or anything. I ended up having a bad seizure. I was locked in place for five minutes, not breathing properly, and throwing up everywhere. I was extremely confused and exhausted, like I had just run a marathon. Went to bed and had another one six hours later."

• Ted...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2023

For Anxiety "I have had anxiety for years, but it really kicked in about a year ago. I get very lightheaded when my anxiety is at its worst. I tried Paxil and Lexapro, they made me worse. I tried buspirone, on day 1, I was wobbly, had brain fog, and felt like I was going to fall over. I am going to try another natural product. I did try natural products before, and they did nothing. I will keep experimenting with the natural products. I can't take antidepressants, they make me sick and worse."

• Anonymous
• January 22, 2009

For Anxiety "I have been using Buspar for severe anxiety and panic attacks for almost a year. It's amazing to find something that actually works. I do have to take it right before bed, I get extremely lightheaded and can feel my pulse throughout my body. Other than that, it does work well. I still use Klonopin when I need to, but it's not often. I'm taking 30 mg before bed."

• Cru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2022

Buspirone for Anxiety "I was on this medication for 4 weeks. I took 7.5 mg x2 daily the first 2 weeks, then 7.5 mg x 3 daily for the last 2 weeks. The first week on this was BRUTAL. Highly increased anxiety, headaches, lightheadedness, and a general feeling of being 'off.' The side effects did get better, but the medicine just never took hold and worked at all for me. Didn’t put a dent in my anxiety. Doctor prescribed me an actual SSRI."

• Anonymous
• October 30, 2009

For Anxiety "I'm 18 years old. My doctor just prescribed buspirone the other day. I took 1 pill of 15 mg a couple of hours ago. I felt dizzy and light-headed for about 45 minutes. I kind of feel out of my element, but I'm fine. I'm taking this because I have somewhat of an anxiety, but it's not severe. I bite my nails due to anxiety, and I'm a little depressed at times, so that's why I'm taking this medication. Hopefully, it'll help!!"

• sla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2021

Buspirone for Anxiety "Recently got back on meds for anxiety attacks. I hadn't had anxiety attacks for a few years, now they are back for some reason. Anyway, BuSpar is okay, it's nowhere near as helpful as Xanax. It does calm me but makes me lightheaded and sleepy as anything. The doc started me on 10 mg. Side effects are pretty strong for me, which sucks because I have to be able to drive a lot and talk to customers all day."