Buspirone Alternatives Compared

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Buspirone	Xanax (alprazolam)	Clonazepam	Enter another drug to compare

Buspirone

Xanax (alprazolam)

Clonazepam

Prescription only

Buspirone may be used for the treatment of anxiety and is less likely to cause sedation than other anti-anxiety drugs. Prescribed for Sexual Dysfunction - SSRI Induced, Anxiety, Panic Disorder... View more

Prescription only

Xanax may be used for the treatment of anxiety or panic disorder; however, it is addictive, and withdrawal symptoms can be severe. Can interact with several drugs including those that cause... View more

Prescription only

Clonazepam may reduce seizure frequency in specific seizure disorders and can be used short-term for panic disorder, to relieve anxiety, or to sedate. When used long-term it can cause dependence and... View more

More about Buspirone

More about Xanax (alprazolam)

More about Clonazepam

Ratings & Reviews

Buspirone has an average rating of 5.9 out of 10 from a total of 1367 ratings on Drugs.com. 49% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 35% reported a negative effect.

Xanax has an average rating of 8.6 out of 10 from a total of 921 ratings on Drugs.com. 82% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 9% reported a negative effect.

Clonazepam has an average rating of 8.2 out of 10 from a total of 2189 ratings on Drugs.com. 78% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 12% reported a negative effect.

View all 1367 reviews

View all 921 reviews

View all 2189 reviews

Side Effects Experienced by Users Side effects are reported in Drugs.com user reviews and not clinically verified.

Dizziness (19.2%)
Anxiety (11.8%)
Nausea (8.1%)
Headaches (7.2%)
Insomnia (6.9%)
Tiredness (5.6%)
Panic attacks (5.0%)

View all Buspirone side effects

Addiction (5.6%)
Anxiety (5.5%)
Withdrawal (5.2%)
Drowsiness (4.6%)
Panic attacks (4.5%)
Insomnia (2.8%)
Tiredness (2.4%)

View all Xanax side effects

Anxiety (7.1%)
Drowsiness (6.7%)
Withdrawal (6.5%)
Insomnia (4.7%)
Tiredness (3.2%)
Depression (3.2%)
Panic attacks (3.1%)

View all Clonazepam side effects

Drug Class

Miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics

Benzodiazepines

Generic Availability

Lower cost generic

Lower cost generic approved

Lower cost generic

Pricing and Coupons * Prices are without insurance

Quantity	50 each
Strength	15 mg
Per unit^*	$0.68
Cost^*	$34.00

View all Buspirone prices

Quantity	100 tablet
Strength	0.25 mg
Per unit^*	$6.09
Cost^*	$609.00

View all Xanax prices

Quantity	10 tablet
Strength	0.5 mg
Per unit^*	$1.04 - $1.22
Cost^*	$10.36 - $12.19

View all Clonazepam prices

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Dosage Forms

Oral tablet

Oral tablet

Oral tablet
Oral tablet, disintegrating

Half Life Drug half-life is the time required for plasma concentration to reduce to half its original value.

11.3 hours

20 hours

40 hours

CSA Schedule ¹ View glossary of CSA terms

Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Some potential for abuse

Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.

Some potential for abuse

Pregnancy Category

Category B No proven risk in humans

See the full pregnancy warnings document.

Category D Positive evidence of risk

See the full pregnancy warnings document.

Category D Positive evidence of risk

See the full pregnancy warnings document.

Drug Interactions

A total of 533 drugs are known to interact with Buspirone:

107 major drug interactions (445 brand and generic names)
423 moderate drug interactions (1581 brand and generic names)
3 minor drug interactions (7 brand and generic names)

A total of 563 drugs are known to interact with Xanax:

55 major drug interactions (214 brand and generic names)
468 moderate drug interactions (1732 brand and generic names)
40 minor drug interactions (331 brand and generic names)

A total of 533 drugs are known to interact with Clonazepam:

30 major drug interactions (155 brand and generic names)
470 moderate drug interactions (1743 brand and generic names)
33 minor drug interactions (210 brand and generic names)

Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions

You should avoid the use of alcohol while being treated with busPIRone. Alcohol can increase the... View more

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with ALPRAZolam and lead to potentially dangerous side... View more

Using clonazePAM together with alcohol can increase nervous system side effects such as dizziness... View more

Disease Interactions

First Approval Date

September 29, 1986

N/A

June 04, 1975

WADA Class View classifications

N/A

More Information

Patient Resources

Buspirone uses

Xanax uses

Clonazepam uses

Professional Resources

Prescribing information

¹ The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Buspirone Alternatives Compared

See also:

Lexapro

Xanax

Botox

Cymbalta

Paroxetine

Diazepam

Lorazepam

Venlafaxine

Alprazolam

Hydroxyzine

Further information

Buspirone Alternatives Compared

See also:

Further information

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