BuSpar Side Effects

Generic name: buspirone

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 22, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about buspirone. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name BuSpar.

Applies to buspirone: oral tablet.

Serious side effects of BuSpar

Along with its needed effects, buspirone (the active ingredient contained in BuSpar) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking buspirone:

Rare

• Chest pain
• confusion
• fast or pounding heartbeat
• fever
• incoordination
• mental depression
• muscle weakness
• numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet
• skin rash or hives
• sore throat
• stiffness of the arms or legs
• uncontrolled movements of the body

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking buspirone:

Symptoms of overdose

• Dizziness or lightheadedness especially when getting up from a sitting or lying position suddenly
• drowsiness (severe)
• loss of consciousness
• nausea or vomiting
• stomach upset
• very small pupils of the eyes

Other side effects of BuSpar

Some side effects of buspirone may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Restlessness, nervousness, or unusual excitement

Less common or rare

• Blurred vision
• clamminess or sweating
• decreased concentration
• diarrhea
• drowsiness
• dryness of the mouth
• muscle pain, spasms, cramps, or stiffness
• ringing in the ears
• trouble with sleeping, nightmares, or vivid dreams
• unusual tiredness or weakness

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to buspirone: compounding powder, oral tablet.

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Dizziness (12%), drowsiness (10%)

Common (1% to 10%): Lightheadedness, decreased concentration, numbness, paresthesia, incoordination, headache, tremor, syncope, seizures

Rare (less than 0.1%): Cerebrovascular accident

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Serotonin syndrome, amnesia, cogwheel rigidity, dystonia/dystonic reactions, dyskinesias (acute and tardive), ataxias, parkinsonism, akathisia, restless leg syndrome

Postmarketing reports: Vertigo, extrapyramidal symptoms, transient difficulty with recall^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Tachycardia/palpitations, chest pain

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypotension, hypertension

Rare (less than 0.1%): Congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, bradycardia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Rash, sweating/clamminess

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pruritus, flushing, easy bruising, hair loss, dry skin, facial edema, blisters

Rare (less than 0.1%): Acne, thinning of nails, ecchymosis, urticaria^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, dry mouth, abdominal/gastric distress, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Flatulence, anorexia, increased appetite, salivation, irritable colon, rectal bleeding

Rare (less than 0.1%): Burning of the tongue^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Musculoskeletal aches/pains

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Muscle cramps, muscle spasms, rigid/stiff muscles, arthralgias

Rare (less than 0.1%): Muscle weakness^[Ref]

Ocular

Common (1% to 10%): Blurred vision

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Eye redness and itching, conjunctivitis, eye pain, eye pressure, photophobia

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Visual changes (including tunnel vision)^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, weakness, tinnitus, sore throat

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Altered taste, altered smell, inner ear abnormality, edema, fever, roaring sensation in the head, malaise

Rare (less than 0.1%): Alcohol abuse, loss of voice, hiccoughs^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia, nervousness, excitement, anger/hostility, confusion, depression, dream disturbances, attention disturbance, sleep disorder

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Depersonalization, dysphoria, noise intolerance, euphoria, akathisia, fearfulness, loss of interest, dissociative reaction, hallucinations, involuntary movements, slowed reaction time, suicidal ideation, decreased or increased libido

Rare (less than 0.1%): Claustrophobia, cold intolerance, stupor, slurred speech, psychosis, delayed ejaculation, impotence

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Depersonalization

Postmarketing reports: Emotional lability, restlessness^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Nasal congestion, pharyngolaryngeal pain

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyperventilation, shortness of breath, chest congestion

Rare (less than 0.1%): Epistaxis^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urinary frequency, urinary hesitancy, menstrual irregularity and spotting, dysuria

Rare (less than 0.1%): Amenorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease, enuresis, nocturia

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Urinary retention^[Ref]

Hepatic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increases in hepatic aminotransferases (SGOT, SGPT)^[Ref]

Metabolic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Weight gain, weight loss^[Ref]

Endocrine

Rare (less than 0.1%): Galactorrhea, thyroid abnormality^[Ref]

Hematologic

Rare (less than 0.1%): Eisonophilia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, bleeding disturbance^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Postmarketing reports: Allergic reactions, angioedema^[Ref]

Further information

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

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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