BuSpar Side Effects

Generic name: buspirone

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 22, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about BuSpar Side Effects associated with buspirone. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name BuSpar.

Applies to buspirone: oral tablet.

Precautions

If you will be using buspirone (the active ingredient contained in BuSpar) regularly for a long time, your doctor should check your progress at regular visits to make sure the medicine is working properly and does not cause unwanted effects.

Do not take buspirone if you are also taking a drug with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity (e.g., isocarboxazid [Marplan®], phenelzine [Nardil®], selegiline [Eldepryl®], or tranylcypromine [Parnate®]). If you do, you may develop extremely high blood pressure.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your medical doctor or dentist before taking any of the above while you are taking this medicine.

Buspirone may cause some people to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert.

Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while you are using this medicine.

Do not suddenly Stop taking buspirone without checking first with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping it completely. This is to decrease the chance of having withdrawal symptoms such as increased anxiety; burning or tingling feelings; confusion; dizziness; headache; irritability; nausea; nervousness; muscle cramps; sweating; trouble with sleeping; or unusual tiredness or weakness.

If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose of buspirone, get emergency help at once. Symptoms of an overdose are dizziness or lightheadedness; severe drowsiness or loss of consciousness; stomach upset, including nausea or vomiting; or very small pupils of the eyes.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Common 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:

Serious side effects of BuSpar

Along with its needed effects, buspirone 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:

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

For healthcare professionals

Applies to buspirone: compounding powder, oral tablet.

Nervous system adverse events

• 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]

See also:

Further information

BuSpar side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer