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Buspar: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What Is Buspar?

Buspar is a potent drug that is used to treat anxiety and symptoms of anxiety. It works by altering the functioning of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. It may be used as a standalone drug or a drug with other medications. Furthermore, it belongs to a class of drugs called non-benzodiazepines. Buspar is not an antipsychotic medication and cannot substitute for medicines that treat acute mental illness.

What Are The Uses Of Buspar?

As stated before, Buspar is used to treat anxiety symptoms such as difficulties in sleeping, pounding heartbeat, excessive sweating, and irritability. People can use the medication to relax, worry less, and think clearly. Your doctor may initially prescribe a low dose of Buspar and then gradually increase it depending on the severity of the symptoms. It comes as a tablet and can be consumed orally. It is usually taken twice daily and must be eaten consistently for it to take effect.

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    What Are The Side Effects Of Buspar?

    Some people suffer from side effects after taking Buspar. These include chest pain, shortness of breath, and a light head. Some other side effects include headache, dizziness, nausea, and sleep problems. While the side effects are not so common, you must tell the doctor in case of unusual symptoms or uneasiness. Severe or very unpleasant symptoms may prompt the doctor to change the dosage or the medicine altogether.

    What is Buspar

    Uses of Buspar

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Buspar

    Oral administration of Buspar can significantly increase dopamine metabolism. However, it does not affect adrenaline or platelet serotonin. It also tends to block dopamine auto-receptors. It has often been compared to antipsychotic drugs due to its impact and interaction with dopamine. Buspar used in moderate doses for three months can be effective in treating anxiety without producing side effects.

    Most people consuming buspar do not develop a tolerance for it. Thus, there is a lesser chance of getting addicted to it. Used in excess, it can become addictive or habit-forming like any other anxiety drug. Some patients resort to snorting buspar and complain that it is like experiencing a terrible hangover.

    Buspar is not an opiate or a controlled substance. In both human and animal studies, buspar has shown no potential for abuse. Some studies have used buspar to examine its efficacy in managing withdrawal symptoms of heroin addicts. It was found that buspar has no abuse potential, no sedative effects, and no withdrawal symptoms when discontinued.

    Buspar as a tablet is to be taken orally with food and water twice a day. It can be taken with water, milk, or juice. It can be crushed and mixed with soft food, yogurt, honey, or jam for children who find it difficult to swallow. Some tablets are scored so that you can break them into two or three pieces for easy consumption.

    Buspar is known to cause side effects. Some of these include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and nervousness. Buspar can also cause fever and sore throat. An overdose of buspar may lead to serotonin syndrome, which produces unpleasant symptoms such as fever and sore throat. This should be reported to the doctor and dosage altered if necessary.

    Studies have indicated that approximately 60 Gms of buspar daily is well tolerated among patients of schizophrenia who suffer from anxiety symptoms. Thus, buspar can be used as an adjunctive treatment strategy along with other psychiatric medications in people with schizophrenia. However, this differs from case to case, and some doses are known to exacerbate symptoms of psychosis in schizophrenic patients.

    Buspar does not have a high street value, and people cannot get high on this drug. However, just like any other medication, it has the potential to be abused. One of the more common ways of getting a high from this drug is combining it with alcohol. There have also been reports of some people crushing and snorting buspar to get high or rapid sedation.

    Buspar is an alternative anxiety medication to traditional benzodiazepines. Approved by the FDA in 1986, it has a long history of high usage to treat anxiety drugs. It has a relatively low risk for abuse and addiction and can be used in conjunction with other psychiatric medications to treat anxiety. In children, it is found to reduce aggression and hyperactivity.

    While buspar is primarily used to treat anxiety, there have been some studies conducted that show it to increase brain activity. An increase in brain activity can reduce the incidence of epileptic seizures in patients who have epilepsy. Buspar, when introduced slowly with very moderate doses, can significantly reduce the occurrence of epileptic seizures.

    Patients who consume Buspar report feeling relaxed, calm, and free from tension and anxiety. It is a mood relaxant and can help patients deal with very severe anxiety symptoms without getting habituated or addicted to the drug. It works by altering the levels of two primary neurotransmitters in the brain: dopamine and serotonin.

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