Buspirone

Administration

• Type: Anxiolytic
• Dosage Forms:
• Routes of Administration: PO
• Common Trade Names: Buspar

Adult Dosing

• 10-60mg/day divided q8-12h

Pediatric Dosing

• Preadolescent: 2.5-5 mg PO daily
• Adolescent: as adult

Special Populations

Pregnancy Rating

• Category B

Lactation risk

• Excretion in milk unknown/not recommended

Renal Dosing

• Not recommended in severe renal impairment

Hepatic Dosing

• Not recommended in severe hepatic impairment

Contraindications

• Allergy to class/drug
• Concomitant MAOI use
• Severe renal/hepatic impairment

Adverse Reactions

Serious

• Allergic reaction
• Heart failure
• Suicidal ideation
• Increased ocular pressure
• Dystonia

Common

• Dizziness, weakness
• Headache
• Drowsiness, confusion, insomnia, nervousness, dream disturbance, akathisia
• Blurred vision, visual disturbances, photophobia
• Numbness, paresthesia
• Tremor
• Tinnitus
• Nausea, diarrhea, anorexia
• Myalgia
• Rash
• Nasal congestion, sore throat
• Nonspecific chest pain
• Bruising
• Galactorrhea, menstrual irregularity, alopecia
• Syncope
• Eosinophilia
• Edema
• Enuresis
• Rectal bleeding

Pharmacology

• Half-life: 2-3h
• Metabolism: Hepatic
• Excretion: Urinary and in feces

Mechanism of Action

• Unclear exact mechanism; high affinity for serotonin 5HT1A and 5HT2 receptors and moderate affinity for dopamine D2 receptors. No effect on benzodiazepine GABA receptors

See Also

• Anxiety