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Buspirone
Hydrochloride
Brand Names: BuSpar, Ansiced
Overview
Buspirone
is an Anxiolytic — a type of medication used to reduce
anxiety, agitation or tension. Unlike most anxiolytic drugs,
buspirone does not impair motor function with muscle relaxants.
It is chemically different from other medicines used to
treat anxiety, and it does not greatly affect a patient’s
mental alertness or act as a sleep agent. It does not cause
physical dependence.
Why
is this drug prescribed?
Buspirone
is used to treat anxiety disorders that may include the
following symptoms:
- motor
tension such as restlessness, twitching, and muscle tension
- sweating,
palpitations, and rapid heart rate
- excessive
wakefulness (vigilance)
- self-injurious
behaviors or aggression in developmentally disabled adults
Warnings
and Precautions
Buspirone
should be used cautiously in patients with kidney problems
because the drug is eliminated mainly through the kidneys.
Caution should also be used when giving Buspirone to patients
with hepatic disease because the drug is metabolized by
the liver. In patients with these problems, the dosage may
need to be lowered.
Although
Buspirone does not cause drowsiness in most people, a patient
should not operate machinery or drive until the effects
of Buspirone on that patient are known and do not present
a danger to the patient or others.
For
Pregnant or Nursing Mothers Buspirone has not been studied
in pregnant women. However, Buspirone has not been shown
to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.
It is not known whether Buspirone passes into the breast
milk of humans.
Contraindications
Buspirone
should Not be used for people who have a known hypersensitivity
or allergy to this drug.
Adverse
Reactions
Buspirone
may cause the following reactions:
- mild
drowsiness
- dizziness
- insomnia/dream
disturbances
- headache
- nausea
- faintness
- excitement
- tremors/rigidity(at
high doses)
- movement
disorders
- tingling
sensations
- increased
high blood pressure
- sexual
difficulties
Interactions
with Drugs and Other Substances
- alcohol
- digoxin
- haloperidol
- medicines
for mental depression
- MAO
Inhibitors
- Luvox
(fluvoxamine)
- Narcotics
such as Percodan (oxycodone)
- Effexor
(venlafaxine)
Sources
http://www.health-center.com/db/PageReq?SessionID=4936&TopicID=414&PageID=2194&Action=view
Lippincott's
Pharmacology
http://www.medscape.com
http://www.rxlist.com/scripts/patient/piumore.pl?mononum=877&dc_category=&order=0&type=&item=
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