Buspirone

Buspirone side effects

Buspirone generally is well tolerated. A causal relationship between many adverse reactions and the drug has not been established but cannot be excluded. In controlled studies, the incidence of some adverse effects was similar in patients receiving Buspirone or placebo. Nervous system effects (e.g., dizziness, headache, drowsiness, light-headedness) are the most common adverse effects of Buspirone,but those secondary to CNS depression (e.g., sedation, psychomotor dysfunction) generally occur less frequently than with other currently available anxiolytics (e.g., benzodiazepines).

In clinical studies, adverse reactions requiring discontinuance of Buspirone therapy occurred in about 10% of patients and included nervous system effects (e.g., dizziness, insomnia, nervousness, drowsiness, light-headedness, headache, fatigue) and GI effects (e.g., nausea).

There is some evidence that tolerance of Buspirone's adverse effects (e.g., dizziness) may be slightly less in geriatric patients than in younger adults.
The incidence and severity of adverse reactions to Buspirone relative to dosage and duration of therapy have not been fully characterized; however, adverse effects appear to occur more frequently at increasing dosagesbut generally appear to diminish with time during continued therapy. Because Buspirone can bind to central dopamine receptors,the possibility exists that chronic therapy could result in adverse effects secondary to changes in dopamine-mediated neurologic function.(See Cautions: Nervous System Effects.) Although clinical experience to date has failed to reveal substantial evidence of such long-term effects at usual dosages,the possibility of risk cannot be ruled out and additional experience is needed to determine Buspirone's potential for long-term sequelae.

Nervous System Effects

The most frequent adverse effects associated with Buspirone therapy are nervous system effects.

The most frequent adverse effects associated with Buspirone therapy are nervous system effects.In controlled studies, dizziness,drowsiness,and headacheoccurred in about 10% of patients; fatigue, nervousness,insomnia, and light-headednessoccurred in about 5%; and excitement, depression, decreased concentration, nightmares/vivid dreams, anger/hostility, confusion, weakness, incoordination, paresthesia, numbness, and tremoroccurred less frequently.

In these studies, dizziness, headache, nervousness, light-headedness, paresthesia, and excitement occurred appreciably more frequently in patients receiving than in those receiving placebo. Insomnia and nervousness may become particularly evident at high dosages (e.g., 100 mg daily), and may be secondary to a dose-dependent stimulation of α-adrenergic (noradrenergic) cells of the locus ceruleus.