Key takeaways:
Buspar (buspirone) is a medication used to treat anxiety in adults. The typical Buspar dosage is 10 mg to 15 mg twice daily (20 mg to 30 mg daily).
You’ll typically start with a Buspar dosage of 7.5 mg twice daily (15 mg per day). Your prescriber will increase your dosage from there every few days as needed. The maximum recommended Buspar dosage is 60 mg per day.
Buspirone tablets are available as a lower-cost generic. Capsules are also available under the brand name Bucapsol. GoodRx can help you find ways to save on the cost of your prescription.
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Buspar (buspirone) is an oral medication that treats anxiety. Unlike some other types of anxiety medications (such as benzodiazepines), you need to take it every day in order for Buspar to work effectively..
Brand-name Buspar is no longer made, so you’ll find it as generic buspirone. It’s available in tablets as well as capsules in doses ranging from 5 mg to 30 mg. Your Buspar dosage can vary based on how you respond to the medication.
Let’s take a look at the typical Buspar dosage for adults, along with what to do if you miss a dose. Remember that your prescriber may give you different instructions for taking Buspar, so it’s important to defer to their directions.
What’s the typical Buspar dosage for adults?
The typical Buspar dosage for adults is 10 mg to 15 mg twice a day (20 mg to 30 mg per day). But you’ll typically start with a lower dosage and increase it over time as follows:
Starting Buspar dosage: 7.5 mg twice daily (15 mg per day).
Raising your dose (titration): From there, your prescriber may raise your total daily dose by 5 mg every 2 to 3 days, as needed.
Maximum dose: The maximum recommended Buspar dosage is 60 mg per day.
You can take Buspar with or without food. But your response to Buspar may change based on whether you take it with food or not. So it’s recommended to take Buspar the same way (either with food or without food) every time you take it.
Keep in mind that it can take about 2 to 4 weeks for Buspar to reach its full effects. So you may not notice a difference in your anxiety symptoms right away. But let your prescriber know if your symptoms haven’t improved after a few weeks of taking Buspar. You may need a higher dose or a different medication altogether.
Off-label uses of Buspar
As mentioned, Buspar is only FDA approved for anxiety-related conditions. But it’s also prescribed off-label for other health conditions, such as:
Depression, when taken along with an antidepressant medication
To reduce the sexual side effects of some SSRIs
Anxiety in children
Gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying)
There aren’t recommended Buspar dosages for these conditions, since they aren’t approved by the FDA. Your prescriber will determine the best dosage for your needs.
What dosage forms of Buspar are available?
Generic buspirone tablets come in the following doses:
5 mg
7.5 mg
10 mg
15 mg
30 mg
Buspirone is also available as a capsule under the brand name Bucapsol. Capsules come in 7.5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg doses only.
Splitting buspirone tablets
If they’re scored (grooved), you can break buspirone tablets into smaller pieces to get more personalized doses. To break the tablet, hold it in both hands between your thumb and index finger. Then, slowly push the tablet near the correct score (dividing line) until it breaks. You can also use a pill cutter if that’s easier for you.
The 5 mg, 7.5 mg, and 10 mg tablets are scored so you can divide them in half. So once they’re split, the 5 mg tablet can provide two 2.5 mg doses, and the 10 mg tablet can provide two 5 mg doses.
Buspar 15 mg and 30 mg tablets are scored so you can break them into thirds. They also have a center notch that allows you to break the tablet in half. The following table shows the various doses available based on how the tablets are split:
Entire Buspar tablet | 5 mg | 7.5 mg | 10 mg | 15 mg | 30 mg |
Two-thirds of a tablet | n/a | n/a | n/a | 10 mg | 20 mg |
Half of a tablet | 2.5 mg | 3.75 mg | 5 mg | 7.5 mg | 15 mg |
One-third of a tablet | n/a | n/a | n/a | 5 mg | 10 mg |
Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?
If you are taking a medication that interacts with Buspar, you may need a different Buspar dosage. Or you may need to avoid taking it altogether. Be sure your prescriber knows about your other medical conditions and other medications you take, including herbal supplements and over-the-counter medicines.
You may also need a different Buspar dosage if you have liver or kidney problems.
Dosage for people with kidney problems
Your body gets rid of Buspar partially through your kidneys. If you’re living with kidney problems, Buspar may build up more quickly in your body. This could raise the risk of side effects.
If you have kidney problems, your prescriber may decide to start you at a lower dosage than usual. If you have severe kidney issues, Buspar isn’t usually recommended.
Dosage for people with liver problems
Your body also breaks down and gets rid of Buspar partially through your liver. If you have liver problems, Buspar could build up more quickly in your body.
If you have mild or moderate liver problems, you may need a lower Buspar dosage. But if you have severe liver problems, it’s usually not recommended.
What happens if you miss a dose of Buspar?
If you forget to take a dose of Buspar, you should take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and move forward with your regular dosing schedule. You shouldn’t take two doses at once to make up for the one you missed.
If you miss several doses of Buspar in a row, talk to your pharmacist or prescriber. They can help you get back on a normal dosing schedule. You may also want to try a medication reminder app or phone alarm to help you remember your doses in the future.
What should you do if you take too much Buspar?
If you take an extra dose of Buspar by mistake, it likely won’t cause any serious problems. But you may experience side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, or drowsiness.
Large doses of Buspar are more likely to cause these side effects, as well as stomach pain and cramping. If you or a loved one takes too much Buspar, it’s best to contact a healthcare professional right away or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. They can advise you on next steps and help manage any symptoms you’re experiencing.
How to save on Buspar
There are ways to save on buspirone capsules and tablets. GoodRx can help you navigate your options.
Save with GoodRx. You can pay as little as $9.00 for a 30-day supply of 10 mg buspirone tablets with a free GoodRx discount.
Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may pay as little as $0 for a 30 or 90-day supply of Bucapsol.
Splitting a higher dosage pill. Splitting a higher dosage Buspar tablet in half or in thirds to get your prescribed dosage might also help you save money. For example, if your prescribed dose is 15 mg twice daily, split a 30 mg tablet in half.
The bottom line
Buspar (buspirone) is a medication prescribed to treat anxiety in adults. The typical Buspar dosage is 10 mg to 15 mg twice a day (20 mg to 30 mg daily). You’ll typically start with a Buspar dosage of 7.5 mg twice daily (15 mg per day, then increase it every few days as needed. The maximum recommended Buspar dosage is 60 mg per day.
You may need a lower Buspar dosage if you’re living with kidney or liver problems or if you take a medication that interacts with it. Your prescriber will help determine the best Buspar dosage for you based on how you respond to the medication.
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References
Coupler LLC. (2026). Buspirone hydrochloride- buspirone hydrochloride tablet [package insert].
Epic Pharma LLC. (2025). Buspirone hydrochloride- buspirone hydrochloride capsule [package insert].
MedlinePlus. (2026). Buspirone.
Wilson, T. K., et al. (2023). Buspirone. StatPearls.
