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What Is It
The mechanism of action of BUSPAR is not clearly known. BUSPAR differs from typical benzodiazepines like Vallium or Xanax anti-anxiety medication in that it does not exert anti-seizure or muscle relax
ant effects. It also lacks the prominent sedative effect that is associated with benzodiazepines
In vitro studies have shown that BUSPAR has a high affinity for serotonin receptors (receptors
in the brain that mediate arousal). BUSPAR has no significant affinity for benzodiazepine receptors in the brain.
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Significant Interactions:
In another study in normal volunteers, concomitant administration of buspirone and haloperidol resulted in increased serum haloperidol concentrations. The clinical significance of this finding is not
clear.
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Adverse Effects
CNS:
Dizziness, headache, drowsiness, lightheadedness, insomnia, fatigue, nervousness, decreased concentration, excitement, depression, confusion, nightmares/vivid dreams, anger/hostility. Infrequ
ently (<1%) depersonalization, noise intolerance, euphoria/feeling high, dissociative reaction, fear, loss of interest, dysphoria, hallucinations, seizures, suicidal thoughts. Rarely, slurred speech,
claustrophobia, cold intolerance, stupor, psychosis.
Neurologic:
Paresthesia, weakness, incoordination, tremor, numbness. Infrequently, muscle cramps and spasms, rigid/stiff muscles, involu
ntary movements, akathisia, slowed reaction time. Rarely, tingling of limbs, stiff neck, rigidity of jaw, ataxia.
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Overdosage
In clinical pharmacology trials, buspirone up to 400 mg/day was administered to healthy male volunteers. As this dose was approached, the following symptoms were observed in descending order of freque
ncy: drowsiness, ataxia, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, clammy feeling, difficulty thinking, feeling high, rushing sensation, gastric distress, headache, itching, miosis, hypotension, tremor, incoord
ination, insomnia and hallucinations. In a dose ranging study in acute psychotic patients, up to 2400 mg/day was administered. Dizziness, nausea and vomiting were the most common adverse effects. One
patient developed extrapyramidal symptoms at 600 mg/day.
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Precautions
Geriatrics:
Buspirone has not been systematically evaluated in older patients. Although it would appear from limited pharmacokinetic and clinical studies that buspirone does not behave differently
in the elderly, there is little known about the effects of buspirone in this age group at doses above 30 mg/day. Therefore, it is recommended that buspirone should be used in the elderly at doses not
exceeding 30 mg/day for a duration not exceeding 4 weeks.
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DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE :
Although BuSpar does not intensify the effects of alcohol, it is best to avoid alcohol while taking this medication.
If BuSpar is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either can be
increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining BuSpar with the following:
- The blood-thinning drug Coumadin
- Haloperidol (Hal
dol)
- MAO inhibitors (antidepressant drugs such as Nardil and Parnate)
- Trazodone (Desyrel)
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