Buspirone

Pronounced byoo-SPY-rone

Brand names: BuSpar

Type: Anxiolytic (anxiety medicine) · All Mental Health Medicines

What Buspirone is used for

  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Added to antidepressants for incomplete response, on clinician judgment

◆ Kidney note

Used cautiously and at lower amounts in severe kidney impairment.

Common side effects

  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Nervousness
  • Lightheadedness

Important cautions

  • Takes some weeks of regular use to work — it is not a rescue medicine for sudden anxiety
  • Grapefruit can raise its levels

How it comes

Tablets. This guide lists forms only — it never lists strengths or doses.

Please note: This page is a patient-education summary, not medical advice, and it deliberately contains no doses. Medicines affect everyone differently — always follow your own prescription and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.