Buspirone oral tablet side effects: A detailed guide

This article describes possible side effects of buspirone oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for buspirone. You can explore this overview article to learn more about buspirone oral tablet, including the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.

Buspirone oral tablet is a generic medication. It isn’t available in a brand-name version.

More common side effects of buspirone

Buspirone oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of buspirone oral tablet include:

• nervousness
• excitement
• headache
• lightheadedness
• dizziness*
• nausea*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of buspirone in detail” section below.

Mild side effects of buspirone

Buspirone may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of buspirone oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• nervousness
• excitement
• headache
• lightheadedness
• fatigue (low energy)
• dizziness*
• nausea*
• insomnia (difficulty sleeping)*
• mild allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of buspirone in detail” section below.

Buspirone oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects of buspirone

Buspirone may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from buspirone oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with buspirone.

Serious side effects of buspirone oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• anger
• depression
• fast heart rate
• chest pain
• heart attack
• changes in blood pressure
• slow heart rate
• seizures
• serotonin syndrome (a potential life threatening reaction due to high serotonin levels in the body)
• psychosis
• suicidal thoughts
• severe allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of buspirone in detail” section below.

Suicide prevention

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
• Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
• Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Common questions about side effects of buspirone

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of buspirone oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can buspirone cause sexual side effects?

Yes, sexual side effects, such as changes in libido (sex drive), were reported in studies of buspirone. Other rare sexual side effects reported include erectile dysfunction and delayed ejaculation. Sexual side effects were not common with buspirone.

If you’re concerned about sexual side effects of buspirone, talk with your doctor. They can provide more details and discuss how to manage these side effects.

Are there certain side effects of buspirone that occur during the first week of treatment?

Yes, it’s possible to have dizziness, drowsiness, or tiredness during the first week of buspirone treatment. These side effects should ease after your body becomes used to the medication.

Due to the risk of these side effects, your doctor will likely recommend you use caution with driving or operating heavy machinery. This is until you become used to the effects of buspirone.

If you have questions about the side effects of buspirone, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss what to expect during your first week of treatment. If side effects don’t go away after the first week or are bothersome, talk with your doctor about how to manage them.

Does buspirone cause long-term side effects?

No, long-term side effects aren’t expected with buspirone oral tablet. In studies, specific side effects weren’t seen in people who had taken the drug for a long time. Long lasting side effects after the treatment ended also weren’t reported.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about possible long-term side effects of buspirone.

Is weight gain a side effect of buspirone?

Yes, changes in weight, such as weight gain, are possible with buspirone treatment. But this was not a common side effect reported in studies. The drug can cause changes in appetite, which may lead to changes in weight.

You may experience weight gain if you have an increased appetite while taking buspirone. But weight gain may have other causes, such as if you take certain other medications that cause weight gain.

Talk with your doctor about weight gain if it’s a concern. They can recommend ways to manage a weight that’s healthy for you.

Coupon for buspirone

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for buspirone when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Side effects of buspirone in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of buspirone oral tablet.

Dizziness

In studies, dizziness was common in people taking buspirone oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild and should ease with continued buspirone treatment.

With dizziness, you may feel lightheaded or have loss of balance.

Certain factors can increase the risk of dizziness with buspirone oral tablet. These include if you have vertigo or balance problems or if you’re taking other medications that cause dizziness.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of dizziness, tell your doctor. They may offer suggestions to manage mild dizziness, including:

• sitting or lying down until the dizziness goes away
• using caution with driving or operating heavy machinery until the dizziness eases
• avoiding substances, such as alcohol, which can worsen dizziness

Your doctor may also lower your dose of buspirone in some cases to check whether this helps ease dizziness. If dizziness is severe, your doctor may recommend stopping buspirone treatment. They may suggest another medication that’s safer for you.

Nausea

Nausea was a common side effect reported by people taking buspirone oral tablet in studies. This side effect is usually mild and should ease as you continue taking buspirone.

With nausea, you may experience stomach discomfort, and you may have the urge to vomit.

Certain factors can increase the risk of nausea with buspirone oral tablet. These include dizziness or lightheadedness.

Ways to manage

If you experience nausea, tell your doctor. They may suggest ways to manage it, such as avoiding strong smells or spicy, heavy meals. In some cases, your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter medication to manage nausea.

However, if nausea is serious or doesn’t go away, your doctor may stop treatment with buspirone. And they may suggest a different treatment option for your condition.

Insomnia

In studies, insomnia (difficulty sleeping) was a less common side effect reported by people taking buspirone oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild and temporary.

With insomnia, you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Symptoms may include:

• interrupted sleep
• feeling tired when you wake up
• difficulty concentrating

Certain factors can increase the risk of insomnia with buspirone oral tablet. These include taking other medications that may cause insomnia or drinking caffeine close to bedtime.

Ways to manage

If you experience insomnia that doesn’t go away, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend ways to manage insomnia, such as:

• avoiding or limiting caffeine and alcohol
• getting regular exercise
• keeping a consistent sleep routine
• practicing relaxation techniques

However, if insomnia is severe, your doctor may suggest stopping buspirone treatment and switching to a different medication.

Allergic reaction

For some people, buspirone oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction.

Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know if you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to buspirone oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for buspirone

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking buspirone oral tablet.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to take buspirone oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether buspirone oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking buspirone oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take.

Things to consider include:

• liver problems
• kidney problems
• taking monoamine oxidase inhibitor drugs
• past allergic reaction to buspirone

Buspirone and pregnancy

It’s not known whether buspirone oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Buspirone and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether buspirone oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Buspirone and alcohol

Buspirone oral tablet can interact with alcohol.

Taking buspirone oral tablet and drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of the drug. They include dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and problems with balance or coordination.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with buspirone oral tablet.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of buspirone oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Does my dosage of buspirone increase my risk of side effects of the drug?
• Would I have a higher risk of side effects if I’m taking other medications with buspirone?
• Can taking an herbal supplement increase my risk of side effects with buspirone?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.