Vanspar (Oral)

Buspirone is used to treat specific anxiety disorders or to help relieve anxiety symptoms. However, buspirone is usually not used for anxiety or tension caused by everyday stress.

It is not fully understood how buspirone helps relieve anxiety symptoms. It is believed that buspirone works by reducing the amount and effects of a chemical called serotonin in certain areas of the brain.

This medicine is available only with a prescription from your doctor.

If you will be using buspirone regularly for a long time, your doctor should check your progress at regular visits to ensure the medicine is working properly and does not cause unwanted effects.

Do not take buspirone if you are also taking a drug with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity (e.g., isocarboxazid [Marplan®], phenelzine [Nardil®], selegiline [Eldepryl®], or tranylcypromine [Parnate®]). If you do, you may develop extremely high blood pressure.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your medical doctor or dentist before taking any of the above while you are taking this medicine.

Buspirone may cause some people to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy, or less alert than they normally are. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert.

Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while you are using this medicine.

Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine without checking first with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping it completely. This is to decrease the chance of having withdrawal symptoms such as increased anxiety; burning or tingling feelings; confusion; dizziness; headache; irritability; nausea; nervousness; muscle cramps; sweating; trouble with sleeping; or unusual tiredness or weakness.

If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose of buspirone, get emergency help at once. Symptoms of an overdose are dizziness or lightheadedness; severe drowsiness or loss of consciousness; stomach upset, including nausea or vomiting; or very small pupils of the eyes.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to consider the risks and benefits. For this medicine, keep the following in mind:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know about any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

Studies on how buspirone affects children have not been done. However, there are no documented problems specific to children so far.

Geriatric

Studies have not shown any specific problems for older adults that would limit the use of buspirone in this age group.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication while breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and risks before taking this medication during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together, while others may be used together even if there is a risk of interaction. In these cases, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is very important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions are noteworthy but not all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may choose not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Isocarboxazid
• Levoketoconazole
• Linezolid
• Phenelzine
• Tranylcypromine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of one or both medicines.

• Adagrasib
• Alfentanil
• Almotriptan
• Alprazolam
• Amitriptyline
• Amoxapine
• Amphetamine
• Belzutifan
• Benzhydrocodone
• Benzphetamine
• Bromazepam
• Bromopride
• Buprenorphine
• Bupropion
• Butorphanol
• Calcium Oxybate
• Cannabidiol
• Cannabis
• Carbinoxamine
• Ceritinib
• Cetirizine
• Citalopram
• Clonazepam
• Clorgyline
• Clozapine
• Cobicistat
• Codeine
• Conivaptan
• Dabrafenib
• Daridorexant
• Desvenlafaxine
• Dexmedetomidine
• Dextroamphetamine
• Dextromethorphan
• Dihydrocodeine
• Dolasetron
• Doxylamine
• Duloxetine
• Duvelisib
• Escitalopram
• Esketamine
• Fedratinib
• Fenfluramine
• Fentanyl
• Fexinidazole
• Flibanserin
• Fluconazole
• Fluoxetine
• Fluvoxamine
• Fosnetupitant
• Gabapentin
• Gabapentin Enacarbil
• Gepirone
• Granisetron
• Hydrocodone
• Hydromorphone
• Hydroxyamphetamine
• Hydroxytryptophan
• Idelalisib
• Iproniazid
• Itraconazole
• Ivosidenib
• Ketamine
• Lacosamide
• Larotrectinib
• Lasmiditan
• Lefamulin
• Lemborexant
• Lenacapavir
• Levocetirizine
• Levomilnacipran
• Levorphanol
• Lisdexamfetamine
• Lithium
• Lofexidine
• Lorcaserin
• Lorlatinib
• Loxapine
• Lumacaftor
• Magnesium Oxybate
• Mavacamten
• Meclizine
• Meperidine
• Metaxalone
• Methadone
• Methamphetamine
• Methylene Blue
• Metoclopramide
• Midazolam
• Milnacipran
• Mirtazapine
• Moclobemide
• Morphine
• Morphine Sulfate Liposome
• Nalbuphine
• Netupitant
• Nialamide
• Olanzapine
• Olutasidenib
• Omaveloxolone
• Ondansetron
• Oxycodone
• Oxymorphone
• Pacritinib
• Palonosetron
• Pargyline
• Paroxetine
• Pentazocine
• Periciazine
• Phenobarbital
• Pirtobrutinib
• Potassium Oxybate
• Pregabalin
• Primidone
• Procarbazine
• Remifentanil
• Remimazolam
• Ritlecitinib
• Ritonavir
• Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b-njft
• Scopolamine
• Selegiline
• Sertraline
• Sodium Oxybate
• Sufentanil
• Tapentadol
• Tocilizumab
• Toloxatone
• Topiramate
• Tramadol
• Trazodone
• Trofinetide
• Vilazodone
• Vortioxetine
• Ziprasidone
• Zolpidem
• Zuranolone

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both may be necessary for your treatment. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of one or both medicines.

• Diltiazem
• Erythromycin
• Ginkgo
• Haloperidol
• Nefazodone
• Rifampin
• St John's Wort
• Verapamil

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions. The following interactions are noteworthy but not all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following may increase the risk of certain side effects, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may adjust the dose or provide specific instructions about food, alcohol, or tobacco use.

• Grapefruit Juice

Other Medical Problems

Other medical issues may affect how this medicine works. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease—Effects may be stronger due to slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do happen, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Chest pain
• confusion
• fast or pounding heartbeat
• fever
• incoordination
• mental depression
• muscle weakness
• numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet
• skin rash or hives
• sore throat
• stiffness of the arms or legs
• uncontrolled movements of the body

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

• Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when getting up from a sitting or lying position suddenly
• drowsiness (severe)
• loss of consciousness
• nausea or vomiting
• stomach upset
• very small pupils of the eyes

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Restlessness, nervousness, or unusual excitement

Less common or rare

• Blurred vision
• clamminess or sweating
• decreased concentration
• diarrhea
• drowsiness
• dryness of the mouth
• muscle pain, spasms, cramps, or stiffness
• ringing in the ears
• trouble with sleeping, nightmares, or vivid dreams
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Buspar
• Buspar Dividose
• Vanspar

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet

Therapeutic Class: Antianxiety

Chemical Class: Azaspirodecanedione

Take buspirone only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of unwanted effects.

This medicine comes with a patient information insert. Read and follow the instructions in the insert carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

You may take this medicine with or without food, but take it the same way each time.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are taking this medicine.

After you begin taking buspirone, 1 to 2 weeks may pass before you begin to feel the effects of this medicine.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):For anxiety: Adults—At first, 7.5 mg two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 60 mg a day. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

• How long does it take for buspirone to work?
• What drugs cause pinpoint pupils?