BUSPIRONE

Common side effects:

• dizziness
• drowsiness
• headache
• nausea
• nervousness
• lightheadedness
• restlessness
• blurred vision
• tiredness
• trouble sleeping

Rarely, patients taking buspirone may develop movement disorders such as shakiness (tremors), muscle stiffness, mask-like facial expression, jerky walking movements, or a condition known as tardive dyskinesia. In some cases, these conditions may be permanent. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any unusual/uncontrolled movements (especially of the face, mouth, tongue, arms, or legs).

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but serious side effects occur:

• easy bleeding/bruising
• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• fast/irregular heartbeat

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

Precautions

• Allergy: Before taking buspirone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
• Medical conditions: Before using this medication, consult your doctor if you have: kidney problems, liver problems.
• Medical History: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you had: bipolar disorder (manic-depression), Parkinson’s disease.
• If you are taking other medications for anxiety, do not suddenly stop them unless directed by your doctor. Buspirone will not prevent withdrawal symptoms from other medications, and your dose may need to be lowered slowly when you switch to buspirone.

Pregnancy Risk: Category B.  During pregnancy, this medication should only be used when clearly needed.

Breastfeeding: It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. However, similar drugs pass into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant.

Interactions

• Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before and after treatment with this medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication.
• Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: alcohol, antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs such as fluoxetine, tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline/nortriptyline, trazodone), benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam, clonazepam, diazepam), haloperidol, drugs that slow down the removal of buspirone from your body by affecting certain liver enzymes including azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole), ritonavir, nefazodone, diltiazem, verapamil, drugs that speed up the removal of buspirone from your body by affecting certain liver enzymes including rifamycins (e.g., rifampin, rifabutin), corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone), and certain anticonvulsants (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital).
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure medications (e.g., valproic acid), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, flurazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medications (e.g., risperidone).

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Notes: Do not share this medication with others.

Keep all regular medical and laboratory appointments. If you are also taking trazodone, liver function tests may be performed regularly to check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage: Store the US product in a tightly closed container at room temperature below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.

Store the Canadian product in a tightly closed container at room temperature 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.

Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.