Why is this medication prescribed?
Buspirone is used
to treat anxiety disorders or in the short-term treatment
of symptoms of anxiety.
This medication is sometimes prescribed
for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for
more information.
How should this medicine be used?
Buspirone comes as a tablet to
take by mouth. It usually is taken two or three times
a day. Follow the directions on your prescription
label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist
to explain any part you do not understand. Take buspirone
exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it
or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Continue to take buspirone even
if you feel well. Do not stop taking buspirone without
talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken
large doses for a long time. Your doctor probably
will decrease your dose gradually. This drug must
be taken regularly for a few weeks before its full
effect is felt.
Other uses for this medicine
Buspirone is used to treat the
symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Talk to your doctor
about the possible risks of using this drug for your
condition.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking
buspirone,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic
to buspirone or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription
and nonprescription medications you are taking,
especially antihistamines; anticonvulsants such
as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Barbita,
Luminal, Solfoton), and phenytoin (Dilantin); dexamethasone
(Decadron, others); diazepam (Valium); diltiazem
(Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); erythromycin ((E.E.S.,
E-Mycin, Erythrocin, others); haloperidol (Haldol);
ketoconazole (Nizoral); itraconazole (Sporanox);
MAO inhibitors [phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine
(Parnate)]; muscle relaxants; nefazodone (Serzone);
pain medications or narcotics; rifampin (Rifadin,
Rimactane); ritonavir (Norvir); sedatives; sleeping
pills; tranquilizers; trazodone (Desyrel); verapamil
(Calan, Covera, Verelan); and vitamins.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had
kidney or liver disease or a history of alcohol
or drug abuse.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to
become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become
pregnant while taking buspirone, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery,
tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking buspirone.
- you should know that this drug may make you drowsy.
Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you
know how this drug affects you.
- remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness
caused by this drug.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
You
may take buspirone either with or without food, but
take it consistently, either always with food or always
without food.
Avoid drinking large amounts of
grapefruit juice while taking buspirone.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed
dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is
within 4 hours of the next dose, skip the missed dose
and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not
take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Although
side effects from buspirone are not common, they can
occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are
severe or do not go away:
- drowsiness
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- constipation
- diarrhea
- stomach pain
- headache
- dry mouth
- depression
- excitement
- fatigue
- nervousness
- difficulty sleeping
- lightheadedness
- weakness
- numbness
If you experience any of the following
symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- skin rash
- itching
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- blurred vision
- unusual movements or the head or neck muscles
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep
this medication in the container it came in, tightly
closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at
room temperature, away from light, excess heat, and
moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication
that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your
pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your
local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If
the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call
local emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- blurred vision
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments
with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will
order certain lab tests to check your response to
buspirone.
Do not let anyone else take your
medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you
have about refilling your prescription.
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