Buspirone and Lightheadedness: What Users Say

• Mem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2021

Buspirone for Anxiety "My doctor gave me this on top of my Zoloft to help with increased anxiety. Pros: I’ve never slept so well in my life. Cons: After two days of taking it, I had horrible mood swings and intrusive thoughts. I was lightheaded and dizzy and had multiple panic attacks with heart palpitations and shortness of breath. I’d gladly keep my insomnia if it meant I didn’t have these horrific side effects."

• 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."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2020

Buspirone for Anxiety "BuSpar should be classified as a hallucinogenic drug! I took it for one day (15 mg) with Zoloft to get off Ativan. It made me lightheaded, nauseous, nervous, speedy, and when I tried to sleep, I saw terrible images moving around in my head. I couldn't sleep at all! These awful hallucinations gave me panic attacks. I was so scared! I also had some uncontrolled jerky movements of my limbs when lying down. I called the nurse line for help because I could not reach my psychiatrist. This experience was a nightmare! I also read an FDA report that stated that BuSpar can cause Tardive Dyskinesia, uncontrolled involuntary jerking movements of the face and body. Who wants that? Do not take it!"

• Jon...
• February 7, 2020

For Anxiety "Buspar worked great for about two weeks. Now I feel very spaced out, irritable. I kept having muscle spasms and panic attacks from it. My anxiety got way worse, and mentally and physically I feel awful from this. I didn't take any today and felt 20 times better, although I still have a very weird body high from it. It is making me feel really nauseous, lightheaded, dizzy, made me paranoid, and made my PTSD way worse. I'll never take this stuff again. I just want to feel halfway normal again."

• Cal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 5, 2020

For Anxiety "I was on this for half a year, and it did nothing for me. I have bipolar II, this medication made my depression worse and anxiety so high. Whenever I tried to nap during the day, my heart was racing, it felt like I was having a panic attack. The doctor put me at 15 mg 3x a day, I only took it once. I felt it wasn’t working. Then today, I just stopped, I can feel the difference-so much happier, less anxiety, not depressed as much, or hopeless. It works for some people, but to me, I felt this medication was a huge scam. I was so lightheaded I had to lay down and had a panic attack at the same time-never trying this again. Terrible medication trying to act like a benzo."

• 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."

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 12, 2019

Buspirone for Anxiety "Tried BuSpar for anxiety and stopped after 4 days. I had horrendous heart palpitations and was so light-headed. I was on 5 mg a day, and the only options were to take 2.5 mg or stop. I chose to stop."

• DGa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2019

Buspirone for Anxiety "Was hesitant to take this pill after reading all the reviews and then finally decided to give it a try. HUGE mistake. My mind felt like it was getting electrocuted. I felt dizzy, lightheaded, and it was extremely unpleasant. I called my doctor immediately! I ended up forcing myself to take a nap, and when I woke up, thankfully they had subsided. It’s been about an hour since I awoke, and I feel extremely tired and exhausted! I do not recommend this if you are highly sensitive to medication!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2018

Buspirone for Panic Disorder "I was initially started on BuSpar 5mg twice a day for panic disorder and PTSD as my therapist said I could not stay on Klonopin at her practice. I tried the 5mg twice a day for 2 weeks, then she increased it to 10mg twice a day, which I took for a month. I ended up with severe heart palpitations, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, and feeling like I was going to pass out, in addition to my blood pressure being raised. I ended up on a heart monitor, seeing a cardiologist, in addition to other heart-related tests all because my therapist is dead set on taking me off Klonopin. I've been on 1mg of Klonopin since 2008 and take it only as needed, mostly once a panic attack begins. I will never take BuSpar again, as I have been off of it now for about a week after all those symptoms and they are almost all gone now. Just wanted to share some of my side effects in case anyone else out there is having the same because I had a difficult time finding someone with the same side effects."

• 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."

• Sti...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2016

Buspirone for Anxiety "It didn't help at all with the panic attacks and actually made my anxiety worse. The first few weeks, it would just put me to sleep. After four weeks, I became very depressed and had suicidal thoughts constantly throughout the day. It gave me horrible headaches, it made me really dizzy all the time, and I felt lightheaded and nauseous often. After four weeks, I could not sleep at all, and my anxiety increased along with the panic attacks. I don't recommend this medicine for anyone who has suffered PTSD or who has had high anxiety levels for a long time. It just makes things worse. After five weeks, I stopped taking this medication, I could no longer handle the side effects."

• DCD...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2016

Buspirone for Panic Disorder "I suffer from anxiety/panic disorder, and I was given BuSpar 10 mg twice daily. I felt very lightheaded and like I had a constant head rush. My doctor tried increasing the dose to 20 mg twice daily, and with that, I couldn't keep my eyes open. I had to nap for 2 to 3 hours. It was just awful. After nearly 4 weeks of being on this medication, I have insisted that I be taken off of it. I am on 5 mg twice a day for today and tomorrow, and then I'll be done with it, and I hope the side effects go away soon. Just an awful experience."

• Dia...
• August 26, 2010

For Panic Disorder "Just got this medication from the doctor yesterday. He gave me 10 mg tablets and told me to take them 3 times a day. This morning I took my first one. I got so light-headed and dizzy I had to lie down. Then I got nauseous. I was so light-headed I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience. I couldn't get up from bed for four hours, and even then I was still extremely light-headed for another three hours. Needless to say, I didn't take the other two pills that day."

• Mer...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 23, 2025

Buspirone for Anxiety "Initially, I was placed on 5 mg after I was hospitalized in mid-2024. Over time, I was titrated up to 45 mg (15 mg 3x daily), but unfortunately, it didn't work for my anxiety and racing thoughts. The only side effect I experienced was some lightheadedness for the first few days after being raised from 10 mg to 30 mg, but it luckily subsided and wasn't a big issue for me."

• 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."

• Rel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2019

Buspirone for Anxiety "I was on this medication for two weeks and noticed absolutely no positive effect. However, within those two weeks, I gained 8 pounds, had an erratic heartbeat, and about 20-30 minutes after taking a pill, I got extremely dizzy and lightheaded to the point I couldn’t even drive. This is just my experience and my body chemistry, but my ultimate opinion is it’s just another failed attempt to prevent prescribing Benzos. Hope any of this helps."

• Mea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2019

Buspirone for Anxiety "Side effects were insomnia, not hungry, lightheaded, and vivid, horrible dreams. Took 5 mg BuSpar in the morning and at night. Never take this med. I was on for 3 weeks and now off for 2 weeks, and I am still feeling the side effects. Still uneasy about leaving my home because of side effects."

• Mat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2018

Buspirone for Anxiety "Taken for: GAD, potential panic disorder. Did not help me. Side effects - strong. Immediate light-headedness, would need to lay down for 30 mins to an hour. Slightly reduced in intensity, but did not subside for me, even after 3 months. Did not effectively treat anxiety (GAD)."

• 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."

• YRR...
• December 19, 2017

For Anxiety "I took my first dose of 0.5 mg right before bed, and I knew right away it wasn’t for me. I felt terrible. My doctor told me I shouldn’t have any side effects from this med, and it was a lie. I felt sick instantly, throwing up, lightheadedness, pressure in my chest, and I couldn’t sleep. I had really high hopes for this medication. I can’t seem to find what’s right for me. Maybe I’m just a little sensitive to anxiety medicine because everything I take for anxiety just makes me feel terrible. I mean everything! Hopefully, I find something that works for me soon."

• 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."

• 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."