buspirone
Buspirone (Bucapsol) is used to manage and relieve anxiety in adults. It belongs to a drug class known as anxiolytics, or anti-anxiety medications. Buspirone (Bucapsol) comes as capsules that are taken by mouth twice a day. Potential side effects include dizziness, nausea, headache, and nervousness.
What is Buspirone (Bucapsol)?
What is Buspirone (Bucapsol) used for?
How Buspirone (Bucapsol) works
Buspirone (Bucapsol) is an anti-anxiety medication. It's unclear how the medication works. But it's thought to manage serotonin activity in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that helps regulate mood.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Bucapsol |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antianxiety |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
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Side effects of Buspirone (Bucapsol)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Dizziness (12%)
- Drowsiness (10%)
- Nausea (8%)
- Headache (6%)
- Nervousness (5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Feeling tired
- Dry mouth
- Trouble sleeping
- Lightheadedness
Buspirone (Bucapsol) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serotonin syndrome: fast heart rate, fever, dizziness, sweating, shakiness, muscle stiffness, uncoordinated movement, seizures, hallucinations, coma
More on Buspirone (Bucapsol) side effects
The following Buspirone (Bucapsol) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Irritability, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle stiffness, twitching muscles, sweating, high fever, seizure, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, which may be signs of serotonin syndrome
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
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Pros and cons of Buspirone (Bucapsol)
Pros
- Taken by mouth
- Can open the capsule and sprinkle contents on applesauce if you have trouble swallowing it
- Might be an option for people who don't tolerate SSRIs or SNRIs well
- Much lower risk of dependency and withdrawal than other anti-anxiety medications
Cons
- Typically taken twice a day
- Not usually a first-choice anxiety medication
- Doesn't relieve anxiety or panic attacks quickly
- Interacts with many medications and grapefruit juice
Pharmacist tips for Buspirone (Bucapsol)
- You can choose to take buspirone (Bucapsol) with a meal or on an empty stomach. The most important thing is to always take it the same way. This is because food can affect how your body absorbs the medication. To make sure it works the same way each time, always take buspirone (Bucapsol) with food or always take it without food.
- Swallow buspirone (Bucapsol) capsules whole with a glass of water.
- If you have trouble swallowing the buspirone (Bucapsol) capsule, you can open it and sprinkle the contents on 1 to 2 tablespoons of applesauce. Swallow it right away and don't save any for later.
- Avoid drinking a lot of grapefruit juice while taking buspirone (Bucapsol). Grapefruit can raise the amount of medication in your body. This can make it more likely for you to have side effects like dizziness and drowsiness.
- Buspirone (Bucapsol) can make you feel drowsy or dizzy. This can happen when you first start it and when your dose goes up. Don't drive or use heavy machines until you know how the medication affects you.
- It's best not to drink alcohol while taking buspirone (Bucapsol). It can make side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, and headaches worse. It might also worsen your anxiety. Talk to your care team about how much you usually drink. They can suggest healthy ways to manage your anxiety, like relaxation exercises or meditation.
- Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all the medications and supplements you take or plan to take. Buspirone (Bucapsol) can interact with some medications. It can include certain antidepressants and migraine medications. This can raise your risk of serious side effects. Your care team can make sure your medications are safe to take together. They can adjust your dose or suggest other options if needed.
- If you're breastfeeding: Talk to your prescriber. Buspirone (Bucapsol) might pass into breast milk. And we also don’t know if it can harm your baby. Your prescriber can discuss the risks and benefits of breastfeeding while you're taking this medication.
More on Buspirone (Bucapsol) tips
Risks and warnings for Buspirone (Bucapsol)
Buspirone (Bucapsol) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Serotonin syndrome
- Risk factors: Taking other medications that can raise the serotonin levels in your brain
Buspirone (Bucapsol) can affect the serotonin levels in your brain. Because of this, it has a risk of serotonin syndrome. This is a rare but serious condition that happens when there's too much serotonin in the brain.
The risk is higher if you also take other medications that raise serotonin levels. They can include some antidepressants, migraine medications called triptans, and certain opioids. Tell your care team about all the medications and over-the-counter products you take so they can check your risk.
Watch for signs like a fever, fast heartbeat, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, or confusion. These can be signs of serotonin syndrome. If this happens while you're taking buspirone (Bucapsol), get medical help right away.
Effect on driving and concentration
- Risk factors: Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications that cause drowsiness
Buspirone (Bucapsol) can make some people feel more sleepy. It can also make it harder to focus or react quickly. Not everyone has these side effects, and they can be hard to predict. Because of this, it's important to be aware that they can happen. Avoid driving, using machines, and doing anything that you need to be alert for until you know how Buspirone (Bucapsol) affects you.
Not safe with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
- Risk factors: Taking buspirone (Bucapsol) with MAOIs | Taking buspirone (Bucapsol) within 14 days of stopping an MAOI | Taking an MAOI within 14 days of stopping buspirone (Bucapsol)
Don't take buspirone (Bucapsol) with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), like selegiline. Taking them together can cause very high blood pressure. It can also raise your risk of serotonin syndrome.
If you need to take both, wait at least 14 days after stopping one before starting the other. This gives your body time to clear the medication from your system.
Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all the medications you take. They can make recommendations on how to take your medications to help keep you safe.
Doesn't help relieve withdrawal symptoms from other anxiety medications
- Risk factors: Stopping benzodiazepines or hypnotics suddenly
Buspirone (Bucapsol) works differently from other anxiety medications like benzodiazepines. Because of this, Buspirone (Bucapsol) won't help prevent withdrawal symptoms if you stop a benzodiazepine too quickly.
If you're switching from a benzodiazepine to Buspirone (Bucapsol), work closely with your prescriber. They'll slowly lower your benzodiazepine dose over time. This helps lower the risk of withdrawal. Tell your care team if you have withdrawal symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache, after stopping the benzodiazepine.
Buspirone (Bucapsol) dosage
Capsule| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5mg of | 60 capsules | $2,869.93 | $47.83 |
| 10mg of | 60 capsules | $2,869.93 | $47.83 |
| 15mg of | 60 capsules | $2,869.93 | $47.83 |
Typical dosage for Buspirone (Bucapsol)
The typical starting dose is 7.5 mg by mouth twice daily. Your prescriber might raise your dose every few days based on how the medication works for you.
People usually take 20 mg to 30 mg daily. The maximum dose is 60 mg daily.
Your dose might be different if you take medications that interact with buspirone (Bucapsol).
How much does Buspirone (Bucapsol) cost?
$2,869.93
Buspirone (Bucapsol) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Buspirone (Bucapsol) will not be safe for you to take.
- Currently take monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or have taken an MAOI within the past 14 days
- Take linezolid (Zyvox) or methylene blue
