If a patient using Buspar suddenly stops, they may experience withdrawal symptoms. This means that they have become physically dependent on it. Abusing the drug makes this even more likely. Psychological dependence is also possible.
Buspirone is generally used to help patients deal with everyday life. If it works for them, the relief can be life-changing. Patients may become unable to function without it. Unfortunately, tolerance can also make the effects of Buspar less noticeable over time. This can lead to self-medicating with larger doses than prescribed. It can also cause users to abuse other drugs in order to cope. Suddenly discontinuing this medication can result in difficult withdrawal symptoms.
This is the result of a physical dependence. It can be incredibly tough to overcome. Those who take buspirone may have a very hard time stopping. The withdrawal process can be very painful. Serious damage to the body is possible without medical supervision. Internal organs can even come to permanent harm. Remember, attempting to withdraw on your own is never necessary. There are always people who are willing to help. In the long run, it is much safer to accept assistance. Below, you will find the questions most asked about BuSpar.
If you have a question that is not answered there, please contact us for further information. Buspirone, commonly sold under the brand name Buspar, is an anti-anxiety medication, to be taken orally, and is used in particular to treat generalized anxiety disorder, and its symptoms, such as fear, tension, irritability, dizziness, and pounding heartbeat.
It is from the anxiolytic group of medications. Additionally, buspirone may take up to four weeks to have a noticeable effect. Experts are unsure exactly how buspirone works but believe its anxiety-relieving effects may be due to its effect on serotonin and similar neurotransmitters like dopamine.
It belongs to the anxiolytic group of medicines. If you have any signs of an allergic reaction to BuSpar, such as difficulty breathing, hives, and the swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, you should seek emergency medical attention.
You should alert your doctor if you have kidney and or liver disease, depression, glaucoma, or a drug dependence. It is not believed that BuSpar harms unborn babies. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you plan to become pregnant during treatment.
However, it is not known whether BuSpar can pass into breast milk, or if it could cause harm to a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. Do not use BuSpar if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, as they can interact dangerously with one another. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine. Taking this medicine with other drugs that either make you drowsy or slow down your breathing can increase these effects.
The following medications can interact with BuSpar this list is not definitive :. Buspirone does not have FDA approval for use by people younger than 18 years old, but it has been used in those under 18 under strict medical supervision. You should not give buspirone to anyone younger than 18 years of age without first consulting with a doctor. BuSpar can be used to treat other medical conditions off-label, such as post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD , autism, bruxism grinding and clenching of teeth , tardive dyskinesia involuntary, repetitive body movements , substance withdrawal symptoms, and premenstrual syndrome.
As mentioned previously, BuSpar is not a benzodiazepine — it is from the anxiolytic group of medications, which are considered to present a lower risk of addiction than benzodiazepines. BuSpar is not a barbiturate — it is from the anxiolytic group of medications, which are considered to present a lower risk of addiction than barbiturates.
BuSpar is not considered to be normally associated with addiction; however, people are known to abuse prescription medications, such as anti-anxiety drugs, and those with a history of drug abuse should be monitored closely. If you believe you may have taken too much BuSpar or have even overdosed, you should seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at Although there are no recorded deaths by BuSpar overdose, you may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness or sleepiness, and stomach upset.
Stopping this medication abruptly can result in withdrawal symptoms, even if you have been taking it as prescribed. Your doctor can advise you about tapering off the medication. If you have been abusing BuSpar recreationally, withdrawal symptoms become far more likely. The maximum dosage of BuSpar should not exceed 60mg per day; however, any development of a physical dependence will vary from person to person.
You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking BuSpar, as it can increase the side effects associated with the central nervous system, such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating.
Some people may also experience a reduction in thinking ability and judgment. BuSpar, used for the treatment of anxiety, is less likely than most other anti-anxiety medicines to cause drowsiness.
However, individuals will respond to BuSpar differently. People may abuse Buspar for many different reasons. People who have prescriptions for it typically take it to help with their anxiety, although it does treat other conditions as well.
But taking too much of it at once can cause you to fall into an extremely sedated state that effectively eliminates any symptoms of anxiety. Sometimes people will use this medication as a way to help themselves get off opioids as well. Research has shown that Buspar can be an effective drug in the treatment of opioid withdrawal. Of course, this should never be attempted outside of medical detox. Trying to detox off any drug on your own is dangerous. Finally, Buspar has become a favorite option for a lot of people to mix with alcohol or other drugs.
But when it is taken with alcohol, it can result in a potent high or excessive state of drunkenness. This cannot be achieved by taking either drug on its own. There is often a lot of confusion surrounding drug abuse and addiction. Some people think they mean the same thing. Others do not understand the process of how drug abuse can turn into an addiction. Contrary to popular belief, it is not because the person lacks morals or willpower.
Once a person is addicted, they cannot stop using just because they want to. The term drug abuse refers to any misuse of a substance.
It can apply to illegal drugs as well as to prescription medications like Buspar. A person who is abusing drugs does not feel compelled to do so, which means they are not yet addicted. They may want to do it, but they do not feel as though it is something they have to do. The longer drug abuse continues, the higher the risk becomes for an addiction to form. Once you have gotten addicted, what you really have is a chronic brain disease that is identified by drug-seeking behaviors.
It is also characterized by the inability to control your drug use even though you are experiencing harmful consequences as a result. Most people with addictions to prescription drugs like Buspar are placed on a medical taper when they stop using.
That means that they are given smaller doses of the drug until they are no longer taking it at all. It is a process that must be done over time and the goal is to minimize the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Please note that you should not consider tapering yourself off Buspar.
This should only be done in a medical setting where any potential complications or emergencies can be handled by professionals. It can be very hard to taper off this medication, but experts in the addiction treatment field can guide you on how to do it properly. If you are addicted to Buspar, you probably had or have a prescription for this medication. Doctors usually only prescribe it to people who are battling bouts of anxiety, though it can be prescribed for other reasons as well.
But it is very likely that you have a co-occurring disorder if you are addicted to it. The term co-occurring disorder refers to the presence of a mental health issue and an addiction at the same time.
For them, using drugs becomes a way of self-medicating to make their symptoms go away. Buspar can be a very effective medication when it is being taken appropriately. When it is abused, however, it may work for a little while. But eventually, it might stop working altogether. Getting treatment for a co-occurring disorder helps because both are addressed at the same time.
There is a much greater chance of recovering successfully when the root cause of the addiction is identified and treated appropriately.
There is really no way of telling how long it might take for you to recover from your Buspar addiction. It might take seven to ten days to get through the detoxification process. After that, you will go through a period of rehab either in an inpatient or outpatient facility. But even though we cannot give you a timeline, there is one thing we know for sure — recovering is ongoing. You will not be cured of your addiction after going to rehab.
Continuing to get help and support is the best way for you to remain in recovery and continue to work on abstaining from using. Just like other types of diseases, addiction requires ongoing care, and this may look different for everyone. Over time, you may go through the progression of starting with detox and inpatient rehab and then moving on to an outpatient program.
From there, you may start to attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings. If you currently have health insurance, you have benefits to help cover the cost of going to rehab. This comes as a relief to a lot of people who did not realize they had this type of coverage.
As far as how much you will need to pay, that depends solely on the type of policy and benefits you have. A lot of people have excellent health insurance that covers the cost of their treatment in full. Others learn that they only have to pay a small co-pay. At Northpoint Seattle, we can verify your insurance for you so that you will know exactly what your benefits and coverage are. Detox is usually the first stage of treatment for an addiction to prescription medication.
It is helps to safely remove drugs from the body. This process should always be done with medical assistance. Post-detox, there are many options available. Looking into inpatient, outpatient or residential treatment is a very good idea.
Inpatient treatment centers are helpful in cases of serious addiction. These are best for individuals who need intensive care. They offer a comfortable place for people to work through their issues.
Everything is taken care of, so patients can focus on themselves. Residential treatment centers offer plenty of time to concentrate on recovery. They provide many services, including constant medical supervision. Patients are given a very structured environment. These centers offer family therapy, nutritional recommendations and more. Outpatient treatment centers can help prevent a full-blown addiction.
They are the best option in early stages. These are also useful as a recovery tool post-detox or after inpatient treatment. Patients are able to live at home and travel to their appointments.
Having a good support network is crucial to a successful recovery. Support groups can be helpful, as well. Cutting out bad influences is also very important. The people in your life should be respectful of your choices. Leading a drug-free life may seem impossible now, but the journey toward happiness and health can begin whenever you choose.
It may help to consider the common physical and psychological signs. Thank you. The article was very, very informative. It was very balanced. I clearly got the sense that the writer at really cares about the buspirone user or potential user. I was just prescribed this medication by my very conservative doctor.
Thank you!! I absolutely agree. Extremely thorough and helpful, without being alarmist about the risks. Thank you!!! Karen, R. How has it been working for you? I as well have been prescribed this a few days ago but I always do tons of research before I even take my first dose.
I hope your doing well and look forward to your reply. Thank you Krystal. Ted, we recommend contacting your care provider or pharmacy where you get your prescription filled for recommended dosages.
Best wishes! However, if you are experiencing relief and few side effects your doctor may taper you to an even higher dose over time. However, just like the article stated you need to be gradually introduced to higher and higher levels. Usually starting at mg and increasing by no more than 15mg every weeks. So the answer would depend on whether you started with a low dose and increased it, or if you just decided to take I was just given a prescription for this medication. I was given all the info.
You provided thank you. We our glad you stopped by during your investigation into your prescription. Have a wonderful day! Meanwhile, I started taking it in january, and no real side effects to speak of… maybe a few hot flashes when I had my dose increased, but otherwise its been a joy to take unlike virtually every SSRI i tried before this. That was about 5 years ago and things have not been good since.
Today I went in for my six month medication check for the few medications I still get to take and as the doctor came in there was no pleasantries at all; right to business.
In so many words I was told to get ready because now the doctors and the DEA are going after our anti-anxiety meds too. I was told to start taking burspar and I politely said no. Kudos to the doctor for taking an action and not passively allowing you to take an unnecessary drug just to get a legal high under the umbrella of pain meds!
The new doctor you choose will hopefully enforce the same rule. Do you know this person personally? IF not.. You also have no clue WHAT type of painful medical condition is being treated. Yes, I believe we have a severe epidemic of prescription drug abuse in this country, and physicians DO need to be mindful and careful about what they prescribe and for how long. I suffer from severe Lupus and there are times when nothing cures my horrific pain. If doctors tell them no, they will go find it on the streets no problem.
Those who are seeking to get high will always find a way. When coming off this medication which was Prescribed to me in jail for post traumatic stress and anxiety I became I knitted like a cat with my feet I had uncontrollable hostility. I found myself sitting a d realizing I was staring into space with a comotose blank stare for god Knows how long.. This medication was insane for me and worst of all I never received the precautionary pharmacy List while incarcerated..
Which I asked for so I could make an informative decision. Based on not my own decision I was prescribed this with the jails best interest at heart..
So it seems now.. I never needed to up my dose, and it helped me tremendously to have a normal life and to deal with my stress and anxiety. I asked why I cant continue as I have been? How horrible. What horrible people they are. Now they are trying to tell me I am a nut job and they had some kind of drug crisis center call me. All because my Dr who I had all my life retired. Sadly it costs a lot more, but so be it.
I think you are worrying way too much. This medication does wonders for my general anxiety. My whole life I have struggled with anxiety and most medications Like xanex just made me irritable and tired. I suggest that you do your research before you down play other doctors. Not all of them are the same and sometimes it takes time to find one that works for you.
People do not become doctors to be evil. I agree. My Dr also retired, and here I am being taken off a drug that worked and I had no problems with to switch to this. I functioned normally, went to work, had a family etc. Best of luck to us both. I was on xanax for 10 years. I called the post office and filed a complaint. Then I was told by the mail order medication company that they would not refill my prescription because I had just received it. I called my phychiatrist to have him call in another prescription, but this time I wanted to have the prescription sent to my local pharmacy.
Well, my phychiatrist was on vacation. I was now in my 4th day of withdrawals. I called my primary care doctor to get a perscription, but she said I was a drug seeker and refused to prescribe me xanax. I have been her patient for 17 years and knows that I take psych meds.
By the 5th day I was in full blown withdrawals. I went to the emergency room that night and they also refused to give me any medication for my withdrawals. The side effects of xanax are very painful. When I finally got an appointment with my phych doctor I was in my 12th day of withdrawals. He prescribed Klonopin. I was sick for 4 weeks with severe mental and physical pain. I went back two weeks ago and he took me off the klonopin, without a drop down, and put me on buspar.
At the time of my appointment he renewed all my current phsch meds but decided, without informing me, that he was not going to renew my restoril. I only found out about it because I only had 2 left, So i called the mail order company and they stated that my psych did not renew the restoril script.
So, it has been almost 2 weeks off all benzos and I am waiting for the buspar to kick in. I have been on buspar for almost two weeks now. I am anxious for the buspar to kick in. I still have withdrawal systems.
I hope the buspar will help me relax and not be so anxious. I was prescribed this medication recently also. The last thing I need is for my anxiety to be exasperated with more trouble to deal with.
I have a good doctor now who is treating my anxiety with Valium which works for me but I know it is very addictive and the last thing I want is another addiction. I have this prescription because it was prescribed to me from another doctor before I went to the new dr.
I never started taking it for some reason I think my addictive behavior thought I needed eight instant gratification I wanted it to work today. So I never stuck with the program. Would adding this to my Regiment of medications be harmful and could I wean myself off of Valium by taking his medication along with my Valium and slowly just quit my Valium.
She was a beautiful woman with a serious addiction and I look like her and I behave like her. Any input would be so appreciated thank you.. M in Oklahoma. How has everything worked out for you? I understand alot of what you have said and would be interested in knowing what you have done to help your hard situation.
Look forward to hearing from you. Best wishes Krystal. My Dr tried to give me byspar, and I told her I only wanted something to treat the panic attacks , not a daily med. She got mad because I wanted xanax, and refused to be my dr anymore. Shes young and dumb so I didnt agree with her.
I told her to take a flying leap, and now I know I was correct in my own analysis. Drs think they are superior know it alls and it seems to be the general consensus that the patient never knows better then them. Looking for a new dr now, one one is not so quick to prescribe poison. Not all doctors think they are better. People abuse xanex all of the time. And if they prescribe something like that and the person abuses it, they could be held responsible.
I have met two doctors that lost their licence due to patients ODing on xanex and pain killers. That would be enough to make me super cautious. Also, Buspar is far less addicting and will keep the panic attacks away overall. Otherwise you are taking xanex when you are having a panic attack, versus keeping the panic attacks away.
Hi Cara, my name is Murphee. I to was addicted to Morphine. I was able to wean myself off of it. My Doctor was shocked when I told him. Other medications that your doctor may prescribe for anxiety or depression may affect your weight more than buspirone. Examples of other medications that may lead to changes in your weight include:.
They can recommend ways to manage this side effect. These side effects were not commonly reported in people taking buspirone oral tablets. However, other medications that treat anxiety or depression can cause sexual side effects more often than buspirone. In fact, some studies show that buspirone can actually help reduce sexual side effects from other drugs used to treat depression.
This may be especially true if you take medications such as SSRIs, which may cause sexual side effects. Although sexual side effects are uncommon with buspirone, talk with your doctor if you experience them during your treatment. Your doctor can recommend ways to manage these side effects. In rare cases, anger can be a side effect of buspirone oral tablets. This was not a common side effect in studies, but some people taking the drug did develop anger or even hostility while using buspirone.
Symptoms of anger may include:. If you have a history of anger or if you experience unexplained anger while taking buspirone, tell your doctor. They may want to monitor you more closely during your treatment, or they may recommend a different medication to treat your anxiety. As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking buspirone oral tablet. A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:.
Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to buspirone, as the reaction could become severe. The dosage for buspirone oral tablets that your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors.
These include:. Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect. The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Buspirone oral tablets are taken by mouth. They come in the following strengths: 5 milligrams mg , 7. To treat anxiety disorders, in most cases, your doctor will recommend a starting dose of 7.
This will give you a daily dose of 15 mg. The maximum dose of buspirone is 60 mg per day, or 30 mg taken twice daily. If you miss your dose of buspirone, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, just skip your missed dose and continue with your normal dosing schedule. If you missed a dose of your buspirone and are unsure when to take your next dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can recommend when you should take your next dose.
This can include setting an alarm or timer on your phone or downloading a reminder app. A kitchen timer can work, too. The buspirone oral tablet may be used as a long-term treatment. You should not drink alcohol while taking buspirone oral tablets. This is because drinking alcohol during your buspirone treatment can raise your risk for side effects, such as headache or dizziness.
It can also cause more serious side effects, such as trouble breathing or trouble concentrating. Buspirone oral tablet can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain foods. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe.
Below is a list of medications that can interact with buspirone oral tablets. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with buspirone. Before taking buspirone, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.
If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. No herbs or supplements have been specifically reported to interact with buspirone oral tablets.
However, you should still check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking buspirone. Buspirone can interact with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. You should avoid consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice during your treatment, as doing so can raise your risk for side effects from buspirone. Buspirone can be taken with or without food. Buspirone decreases your symptoms of anxiety and can make you feel restless, sleepy, or excited.
You should never snort buspirone. No, buspirone is not a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor SSRI or a benzodiazepine. Instead, it belongs to a group of drugs called anxiolytics, which work to decrease symptoms of anxiety. Buspirone is not approved to treat depression or problems with sleep. However, in some cases, buspirone may be used off-label to treat other conditions, such as depression or sleep problems. Off-label drug use means that your doctor prescribes a medication for a use other than what it is approved for.
No, buspirone is not a controlled substance. A controlled substance has the potential to be misused or for people to become dependent on them. Misuse means using a medication in a way other than how it was prescribed. Dependence is when you need a drug to feel normal or to function.
Although buspirone is not a controlled substance, other medications that may be taken for anxiety are controlled substances. For example, anxiety medications such as alprazolam Xanax , lorazepam Ativan , diazepam Valium , and clonazepam Klonopin are controlled substances. Always talk with your doctor before stopping any medications. In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you switch to a different medication to treat your condition.
If your dose of buspirone is low, they may recommend just stopping buspirone and switching to another treatment option.
If you take a higher dose of buspirone, your doctor may recommend slowly decreasing your dose over time. This helps your body adjust to the change. If you have specific questions about how to stop your buspirone treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Buspirone oral tablets should not interact with stimulants such as caffeine. Isaak Stotts is an in-house medical writer in AddictionResource. After graduation, he became a substance abuse counselor, providing individual, group, and family counseling for those who strive to achieve and maintain sobriety and recovery goals.
Leave a comment Cancel reply. AddictionResource aims to present the most accurate, trustworthy, and up-to-date medical content to our readers. Our team does their best for our readers to help them stay informed about vital healthcare decisions. Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare. AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data.
The Verified badge on our articles is a trusted sign of the most comprehensive scientifically-based medical content. If you have any concern that our content is inaccurate or it should be updated, please let our team know at [email protected]. Last Updated: July 10, How Can Someone Abuse Buspirone? Always ask a doctor about the effects that medication can induce. Published on: July 10th, Have something to say? Share your story in our Addiction Treatment Communities.
Join our addiction treatment communities. My son in law is snorting buspar, he gets them legally. But they give him buspars every 2 weeks. Where do calls go.
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