Buspirone and Panic Attacks: What Users Say

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2020

Buspirone for Anxiety "I took BuSpar for two days. On the first day, my sleep was not deep and I had weird dreams. On the second day, I had a massive panic attack after my third dose of 5mg and was unable to sleep at all that night. It was a horrendous experience. It is an awful drug for me."

• Pun...
• March 11, 2014

Buspirone for Anxiety "This panic attacks all hit me in August. It was December before they figured out it was anxiety because I had other medical issues, wrong sickness. They started me out on Zoloft, I was allergic. Then some other meds that had bad side effects. Finally, my doctors tried me out on BuSpar. Finally, after weeks of getting the right dosage, I have been awesome and healthy for over a month. This pill has given my life back, I was so bad I couldn't go into stores. Now I go every day and shop. This pill is awesome, it took over a month to build up for me. It was worth the wait, I feel so good, I stopped it for 4 days, had a panic attack, then went back on, and I plan on taking this."

• Tim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2020

For Anxiety "This medication buspirone was recommended to me for anxiety after taking Lamictal for around 6 months. During that time my depression got better but anxiety got worse. To combat this, my doctor put me on 10mg twice a day. Unfortunately, my anxiety appears to have gotten even worse, and the side effects have been terrible even after 2 months. Sensations of dizziness, headache, disorientation, and disassociation occurred daily. Almost always twice a day, but sometimes up to 4 times lasting 30-45 minutes but at most 2 hours. Abdominal pains, loss of appetite also. Physiological panic attacks have occurred daily as well. I don't act anxious but my body is seething. Heart rate, heated flushedness, agitation, fear, uncontrollable inner narrative, etc. I feel awful on it and fear after quarantine this side effects will be detrimental for my job in commercial electric work with large machinery and power tools."

• Whi...
• November 26, 2013

Buspirone for Anxiety "This replaced benzodiazepines and sleeping pills, gives better rest, improved sex drive, decidedly improved social life. I'm 46m, prescribed 15mg x2 daily. Others noted the improvements first. I had no untoward side effects other than dry mouth and a few lingering panic attacks per month easily handled by low dose Xanax 0.5 mg. Various SSRIs along the way didn't help with depression this much. 5 years running. It works well."

• 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!"

• Joh...
• October 8, 2019

For Sexual Dysfunction, SSRI Induced "So, after 10 years of having difficulty in my sex life keeping an erection, diagnosed with bipolar disorder, mania, panic attacks, and insomnia, I was prescribed Buspar, and after just a few days, this is what it has helped my sex life back to how it was in my teens. I’d even say that it has increased and surpassed my functionality. Another thing I noticed immediately was that my dreams were back. The dose that I started with was 10 mg, 2 times per day, but I noticed my panic attacks coming back midday and was bumped up to 3 times a day. I am still taking them to this day. Personal experience shows that tricyclic antidepressants weren't good for me. Over the span of 20 years and multiple diagnoses, I have come to the realization that buspirone is enough on its own to live a functional life, but with the addition of Xanax or Klonopin, I sleep much longer than just the 5 hours I do with Buspar alone."

• nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2022

Buspirone for Anxiety "Second time trying BuSpar and it's still awful. My doctor is convinced I didn't give it a fair shot. This doctor didn't listen to what I said happened, only assumed. So here I am again, taking it 10 days straight and am having awful attacks. Taking one 15 mg tab every night before bed, still I couldn't fall asleep, it wired me. I am just stuck awake with worse anxiety than ever. I was told it 'would help with panic attacks, anxiety, and my sleep issues.' Instead, this makes my head feel like a balloon and makes my thoughts go into overload, resulting in more anxiety and panic attacks. I can't believe my doctor would make me try this crud again. I have called them explaining it's making me feel worse, and they say, 'got to give it time.' I just told them, look, I'm done. 10 days and previous trial. I don't want nasty side effects. You said call if I have issues, I did. I need a med that relieves panic attacks, not one increasing them!?' I'm going to find a real doctor or go to Mexico."

• Ala...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 28, 2019

Buspirone for Anxiety "If I could give this medication a rating of 0, I would. Took this for 8 months. 5 mg three times a day. It took my anxiety away at first, but then everything got much, much worse. The doctor told me to double my dose since panic was coming back into my life. This drug made me feel high and very uncomfortable. It made my panic attacks worse than they had ever been. I began getting very confused and unaware of places I was at. I began getting panic attacks every single day and started missing work. I decided to quit cold turkey. Couldn’t get out of bed for days. My brain had a constant fog over it. It took a solid week to where I felt normal again. I would never recommend this drug to anyone. Stopping this medication was the best thing I could have ever done."

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2019

Buspirone for Anxiety "Nope! I was prescribed BuSpar 15 mg at a dose of 1 tablet 3 times a day. A nightmare for sure. After the first few initial days and it getting in my system, that nightmare began! Side effects of not sleeping over 3-4 hours a night. Shaking inside and out, dizzy and faint, full-blown panic attacks, pacing the floor, and body having to keep moving to stop that feeling of jumping out of my skin (Akathisia)!! Tried BuSpar for 3 weeks and gained 9 lbs and more anxiety than before."

• Nat...
• January 22, 2020

Buspirone for Panic Disorder "Woke up having the worst panic attack of my life on day 2 of this medication. Not paired with anything else, this is the last day I’ll be taking it. It’s a horrible feeling to wake up feeling like you are having a heart attack and not being able to breathe."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2019

Buspirone for Anxiety "Been on 10 mg BuSpar twice daily for 2 days. I have already experienced terrible insomnia on both nights. First night, I was able to get 4 hours of broken sleep. Second night, did not sleep one wink. Experienced a panic attack last night, along with an increased heart rate and racing thoughts. The thought of continuing on with this drug is unbearable."

• The...
• May 28, 2015

For Anxiety "My dear and esteemed friends, buspirone is, in my opinion, the best anxiety medication I have had. It is extremely safe, non-addictive, and has no withdrawal effects. I am 32 and never had panic or anxiety attacks until March of 2014 when I had a kidney stone and was given hydromorphone for the pain, and it messed up my nervous system, giving me pretty bad anxiety/panic attacks and a little depression. First, I tried Xanax 0.25 mg for a while, but it is short-acting, and then I was given citalopram 10 mg, but I stopped it because of concern for possible side effects of SSRIs. Finally, my cousin, who is a wise doctor, gave me buspirone 7.5 mg, and it was great! I took it for 3 months, and there was a total disappearance of anxiety, panic, and no depression. What a blessing it is."

• Ban...
• August 9, 2021

Buspirone for Anxiety "I suffer from moderate social anxiety and severe GAD. I have struggled for years and have tried just about any SSRI and SNRI that is on the market, and none of them worked for me. My doctor finally decided to try this. I work in a pharmacy and see very few patients that take this drug, so I never really thought much of it. She started me at 15 mg twice a day. I've been on it for a few months now, and I've increased my dose to 30 mg twice daily, and the world of difference that this drug has made is life-changing. I used to get so upset, angry, and overwhelmed over the smallest things so suddenly and have panic attacks. I could never shut off my brain, this has changed my life. Just like any other drug, it may work for me and not for others. If nothing else has worked for you and you feel like you've lost hope in finding something that can help, this drug is more than worth trying."

• ANo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2020

For Anxiety "I was taking Buspirone for general anxiety, and it caused really bad depression, intrusive thoughts, randomly would start crying, and was waking up in the middle of the night in a full panic. The first 2 weeks, I felt really good, and by week 3, I started slowing down, not thinking correctly, and had a very dark cloud over me. I stopped after about 2 months, and the first 2 weeks off of it were really bad. Not everyone is the same, but take this medication with caution!"

• Guy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2016

Buspirone for Anxiety "I was taking Ativan from a friend for my slight anxiety issue. It was 1 mg. I stopped it for two weeks, started getting weird feelings in my head. Then had a panic attack for the first time. Turns out I'm addicted to the Ativan. My doctor gave me 0.5 Ativan, it didn't stop the attacks and couldn't function right. I had to take a full 1 mg to function. Whenever I don't take it, I get a panic attack. Well, my PCP gave me BuSpar, and I've been doing better. I've been on it two days, he wants me to take 15 mg four times a day, but that's too much. I take 7.5 and feel normal. Taking a full 15 mg is a no-no. But at the right dosage, it works. Hopefully soon to kick the Ativan out. I've missed work because of this Ativan problem. I don't suggest taking any benzodiazepines."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2021

Buspirone for Anxiety "This medication was a total nightmare for me. I went from having generalized anxiety to, after taking it for about a week, having MAJOR panic and anxiety 24/7, sleeplessness, moodiness - it was terrible. I had to stop taking it after 2 weeks. While I don’t doubt at all that it does work for some (I read these reviews and remained cautiously optimistic) - it DID NOT work for me. Just goes to show how unique and different brain chemistry is for people."

• Mel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 15, 2017

Buspirone for Anxiety "I left a review a while back, but now I have to revise it. When I first started taking BuSpar, I was happy with it, but then it stopped working for me. I'm now on the max dosage of 60 mg. I take 30 mg in the morning and 30 mg in the evening, but it is not helping me at all. I still have very bad anxiety, panic attacks, and paranoia. Since it isn't doing anything for me, I will probably stop taking it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2022

Buspirone for Anxiety "I started this drug at 10 mg TID after being on Wellbutrin for 2 years for anxiety and losing effectiveness. I felt fine the first two days, but on day three, I felt very nauseous, dizzy, loss of appetite, and just overall 'off.' On the fourth day, I had the worst panic attack I've ever had, and I haven't had a panic attack in over 5 years. I had full body tremors, palpitations, confusion/difficulty concentrating, unable to focus, photophobia for over 3 hours following the attack, and it happened again the next morning after I hadn't taken the drug in over 12 hours. I will never take this again."

• 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."

• Jer...
• April 28, 2017

For Anxiety "28 female - I was diagnosed with bipolar, manic depressive when I was 14. I have been on and off medication for years. When I approached my PCP for medication for my anxiety, they were nervous about giving me an SSRI due to them making me manic. They tried giving me Abilify, but that landed me in the ER. Buspirone was my last resort. It's been about 4 weeks, and what a difference. I'm enjoying my life with my kids, family, and friends again. I used to go everywhere with no problems, but for the past 7 months, I could barely leave my house. I shut down completely. Buspirone is changing me back to the person I was. My anger has diminished. My paranoia is gone. I can go out in public without a panic attack or racing thoughts."

• Sou...
• December 26, 2019

For Anxiety "I've been taking buspirone for over a year and a half. The first 6 weeks were a nightmare. I was going to quit taking them many times. But I invested so much time on the side effects that I stuck through it. I got constant headaches, nauseous, confusion. I had night terrors. But I stuck through it. I had severe anxiety and panic attacks. But I'd have to say it was worth it. I still get anxiety, but not as much. I can go to work now, and I go to therapy. It's not a miracle drug. But it does help a lot. I'm glad I didn't stop taking it. I started off with 15 mg a day. But now I take 30 mg a day. One in the am and one at night. I do get dizzy and nauseous still after I take them sometimes. So I lay down after I take them, and after an hour, I'm fine. I get little confusion every now and then. My advice is stick it out for a while, and hopefully it helps you like it helped me."

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

Buspirone for Anxiety "Definitely curbs my generalized anxiety and helps with my social anxiety, it’s not a cure-all, as I still have insomnia, but it has definitely improved my quality of life. SSRIs never worked for me because I felt like my depression was rooted in anxiety and not the other way around. Plus, SSRIs gave me panic attacks, and so did trazodone after two weeks. I take 1/2 of a 7.5 as soon as I wake up, and then I take another half again a couple of hours later, then a whole one a couple of hours before bed. The first two or three days, it made me feel slightly funny, but it’s definitely beginning to level off, and I’m definitely much more content, less rumination, and a general feeling of well-being this far..."

• 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."

• mis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 13, 2023

For Anxiety "I was one of the ones where this one didn't work at all, and I am now working my way off slowly by 5 mg increments, and I am down to 5 mg three times a day. I have been removing drugs in an attempt to see which meds have been causing me to feel panicky and nervous. As I eliminated, I thought buspirone would be one of the easier ones to be rid of since it didn't work. Unfortunately, I removed an SSRI that hid the majority of issues with buspirone. I am now having panic attacks several times a day (each time I take them) and have entered mania several times, especially around my cycle. Going off them is supposed to be easy as they have a short half-life and should be out of your system in 2-3 days...but for me, I get really bad side effects even after weeks of dropping. I get brain zaps, dizziness, nausea, and depersonalization. I don't want to prevent someone from trying it as it does work for some, but just keep in mind what you may have to go through if you have to quit and taper."

• Art...
• December 21, 2016

Buspirone for Anxiety "This drug is awful. My doctor took me off my Klonopin because she was worried about addictive behavior. This drug I only took one time and will not take again. It made me very dizzy, sick to my stomach, my heart was racing. It basically gave me the worst panic attack I've ever had. Odd since this is supposed to be for anxiety. I understand the risk with taking benzos, but it's the only thing that has ever helped me. I would recommend never taking BuSpar."