Key takeaways
Buspirone (Buspar) and escitalopram (Lexapro) are both medications that can be used to treat anxiety, but they have some important differences. Buspirone is an antianxiety medication, while escitalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is also FDA-approved for treating depression. Buspirone is typically taken twice a day, whereas escitalopram is taken once daily. Buspirone is available only as a generic, while escitalopram is available in both brand and generic forms. Common side effects of buspirone include dizziness and headache, while escitalopram can cause nausea and trouble sleeping. Escitalopram can cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly, while buspirone has a low risk of withdrawal. Additionally, buspirone interacts with many medications and grapefruit juice, while escitalopram has fewer interactions but can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with certain medications.
