Skip to content

Buspirone

    Brands

    DEA Class;  Rx

    Common Brand Names; BuSpar, Buspirex, Bustab, LinBuspirone

    • Antianxiety Agents; 
    • Anxiolytics, Nonbenzodiazepines

    Oral anxiolytic pharmacologically distinct from other anxiolytics
    Used for adults with generalized anxiety disorder; efficacy in pediatric patients is uncertain
    Not effective for the acute relief of anxiety due to a delayed onset of effect

    Indicated for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety.

    Hypersensitivity

    • Dizziness (12%)
    • Drowsiness (10%)
    • Nausea (8%)
    • Headache (6%)
    • Nervousness (5%)
    • Blurred vision (2%)
    • Confusion (2%)
    • Diarrhea (2%)
    • Excitement (2%)
    • Insomnia (2%)
    • Myalgia (1%)
    • Numbness (2%)
    • Paresthesia (1%)
    • Rash (1%)
    • Tremor (1%)
    • Weakness (2%)
    • Nasal congestion (1%)
    • Sore throat (1%)
    • Nonspecific chest pain (1%)
    • Tinnitus (1%)
    • Dream disturbances (1%)
    • Akathisia
    • Allergic reaction
    • Anorexia
    • Bruising
    • Galactorrhea
    • Heart failure
    • Menstrual irregularity
    • Suicidal ideation
    • Syncope
    • Alopecia
    • Eosinophilia
    • Edema
    • Enuresis
    • Increased ocular pressure
    • Visual disturbances
    • Rectal bleeding
    • Photophobia
    • Dystonia

    Do not use PRN for anxiety

    Will not prevent withdrawal from other anxiolytics, such as benzodiazepine

    May cause cognitive motor impairment

    Restlessness syndrome associated with therapy

    Use in severe renal/hepatic impairment not recommended

    Use with MAO inhibitors may result in hypertensive reaction (use not recommended)

    Pregnancy category: B

    Lactation: Excretion in milk unknown/not recommended

    Adults

    5 mg IV total cumulative dose for suspected benzodiazepine overdose. If patient unresponsive at this dose, cause of sedation not likely to be benzodiazepine. Max dose for reversal of conscious sedation is 1 mg IV.

    Geriatric

    5 mg IV total cumulative dose for suspected benzodiazepine overdose. If patient unresponsive at this dose, cause of sedation not likely to be benzodiazepine. Max dose for reversal of conscious sedation is 1 mg IV.

    Adolescents

    Single doses of 10 mcg/kg IV (Max: 200 mcg/dose); doses may be repeated as necessary up to a total cumulative dose of 50 mcg/kg IV (Max: 1 mg). Alternatively, 10 mcg/kg/hour via continuous IV infusion has been used off-label.

    Children

    Single doses of 10 mcg/kg IV (Max: 200 mcg/dose); doses may be repeated as necessary up to a total cumulative dose of 50 mcg/kg IV (Max: 1 mg). Alternatively, 10 mcg/kg/hour via continuous IV infusion has been used off-label.

    Infants

    Safety and efficacy have not been established. However, single doses of 30 mcg/kg IV (Max: 200 mcg/dose) have been used off-label; doses may be repeated as necessary up to a total cumulative dose of 50 mcg/kg IV (Max: 1 mg). Alternatively, 10 mcg/kg/hour via continuous IV infusion has been used off-label.

    Neonates

    Safety and efficacy have not been established. However, single doses of 20 mcg/kg IV have been used off-label; doses may be repeated as necessary up to a total cumulative dose of 50 mcg/kg IV. Alternatively, 20 mcg/kg/hour via continuous IV infusion has been used off-label.

    Buspirone

    tablet

    • 5mg
    • 7.5mg
    • 10mg
    • 15mg
    • 30mg