Buspirone (By mouth)

Brand Name(s)

Buspar, VanSpar

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You may take this medicine with or without food, but take it the same way each time.
• You may need to take this medicine for 1 or 2 weeks before you begin to feel better.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
• Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• You should not use buspirone when you are also using an MAO inhibitor (such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®).
• Do not eat grapefruit, drink grapefruit juice, or drink alcohol while you are using buspirone.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using cimetidine (Tagamet®), dexamethasone (Decadron®), diltiazem (Cardizem®, Tiazac®), erythromycin (Erythro-Tab®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), nefazodone (Serzone®), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rifamate®, Rifater®), verapamil (Calan®, Covera®), or medicine for seizures (such as Dilantin®, Luminal®, Tegretol®).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy (such as sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, or sedatives).

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Fast or pounding heartbeat
• Numbness or tingling feeling
• Tremors or shaking

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Drowsiness or weakness
• Dry mouth
• Feeling restless or nervous, trouble sleeping
• Headache
• Nausea, constipation, upset stomach

Introduction

Buspirone (bue-SPYE-rone)

Treats anxiety.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney or liver disease.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.