Can You Experience Withdrawal From Buspirone?
Many medications for mental health conditions can be powerful tools in helping to manage and address the issue. However, they can still carry risks of side effects and, in some cases, a tolerance to the substance that can cause withdrawal symptoms if quit suddenly. Buspirone, a treatment option for some anxiety disorders or anxiety symptoms, is generally considered to be safe. Still, doctors will often advise patients to taper off this medication slowly rather than quit abruptly to avoid possible buspirone withdrawal symptoms that can be uncomfortable or distressing. While the risks of a drug overdose on this medication are small, it’s important to understand what this anxiety treatment can cause in users who come to rely on its mental health impact.
Table of contents
» How Does Buspirone Work in the Brain?
» Is Buspirone Classified as an Addictive Medication?
» What Are the Reported Symptoms of Buspirone Withdrawal?
» Is It Necessary to Taper Off Buspirone Slowly?
» Key Takeaways on Buspirone Withdrawal
» Resources
How Does Buspirone Work in the Brain?
Medical professionals still don’t completely understand how buspirone, which is often sold under the brand names Buspar, Buspar Dividose, or Vanspar, actually works in the brain. Still, it is effective in treating certain anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, and there are educated guesses on how it’s effective for users.
Buspirone is thought to help manage the activity of serotonin in the brain, possibly by binding to serotonin receptors and helping to address low levels of this brain chemical that is related to anxiety and depression.
While it’s effective, it isn’t the usual treatment of choice for anxiety, and doctors are much more likely first to try more common medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Lexapro or Paxil, or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors like Cymbalta. SSRIs and SNRIs have become standard treatments for depression, and they also are shown to help treat anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders, which is why they’re the go-to choice of treatment.
However, some people don’t respond well to these medications, or those medications aren’t helping enough on their own, and doctors might prescribe buspirone as well in those cases to try to help patients manage and treat their anxiety issues.
Like many other mental health medications, it can take several weeks or even a month before buspirone starts to work, which makes it not the right choice to address short-term anxiety. In cases like that, patients will more likely be prescribed faster-acting medications like Xanax or Valium. These common benzodiazepines can treat anxiety quickly but carry significant risks for side effects like drug misuse or even addiction. Buspirone, on the other hand, isn’t considered to be an addictive or potentially abused medication.
Is Buspirone Classified as an Addictive Medication?
Buspirone isn’t without its risks, just like any other medication, and patients who are on this drug to treat anxiety or anxiety disorders are at risk of side effects like:
- Restlessness
- Feeling nervous or unusually excited
- Blurry vision
- Sweating
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep problems
- Nightmares or vivid dreams
- Fatigue or weakness
- Muscle pain and cramps
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
Rare but serious side effects are also possible, including:
- Chest pain or a fast heartbeat.
- Confusion or depression.
- Muscle weakness, stiffness, or tingling/numb feelings in the extremities.
- Rash.
- Coordination problems.
- Fever.
- Sore throat.
In addition, buspirone can affect people who have other underlying medical problems, especially kidney disease. The effects of this medication can be amplified in those who have liver disease due to the medicine being more slowly removed from the body.
In some cases, people who suddenly stop taking this medication can suffer buspirone withdrawal symptoms, which is why doctors often advise patients to taper off the drug slowly. Patients also need to watch out for potentially dangerous drug combinations while on this drug, and it’s important to tell your doctor about every other medication or supplement you’re taking to avoid those potential interactions. However, buspirone is not thought of as addictive or carrying a high potential for drug misuse, and is generally considered safe to take.
Buspirone overdose is possible and requires emergency help if symptoms like dizziness, severe drowsiness, loss of consciousness, nausea, or vomiting are experienced. If you or someone you love seems to be showing signs of a possible overdose, it’s important to seek out medical attention immediately to ensure their safety and help them get through this period.
What Are the Reported Symptoms of Buspirone Withdrawal?
Quite often, someone who has been taking buspirone for a while to treat anxiety conditions will be advised to taper off the drug slowly rather than quit suddenly if it’s decided to try a different form of treatment. Why is a taper recommended? Because it’s possible to experience buspirone withdrawal symptoms if the medication is suddenly stopped. Withdrawal symptoms can include things like:
- A return of anxiety problems that were the original cause of seeking this treatment in the first place.
- Feeling burning or tingling
- Confusion or dizziness
- Headaches
- Feeling irritated or nervous
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Sleep problems
- Unusual fatigue or even weakness
- Muscle cramps
Patients will also frequently be told not to take buspirone if they’re taking certain other medications or substances due to the risk of drug interactions, which is why it’s so important to tell your doctor about all of the medications and supplements you’re on whenever starting a new medication. Possible interactions can occur with things like:
- Grapefruit or grapefruit juice.
- Marplan (isocarboxazid, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor used to treat depression).
- Recorlev (levoketoconazole), which treats Cushing’s syndrome.
- Zyvox (linezolid) is an antibiotic most often used to treat serious infections from drug-resistant bacteria.
- Nardil (phenelzine), another MAOI used to treat certain kinds of depression.
- Parnate (tranylcypromine) is another MAOI that treats depression.
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Is It Necessary to Taper Off Buspirone Slowly?
Some patients can suddenly quit this medication without experiencing any side effects or problems. Still, many others will be at risk of buspirone withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking the drug all at once. This happens as their bodies adjust to no longer having this medication in their systems, and serotonin levels revert to normal due to the lack of drugs.
That’s why doctors will usually advise that patients taking buspirone slowly taper off the medication if they’re changing treatment, rather than quitting suddenly, to avoid these potential withdrawal symptoms like a rebound of anxiety, sleep problems, fatigue, sweating, nervousness, and irritation.
Key Takeaways on Buspirone Withdrawal
- Buspirone is a type of medication that is sometimes prescribed to treat anxiety or anxiety disorders.
- While it’s generally safe and effective, buspirone isn’t a first-choice medication to treat these conditions.
- Taking buspirone can lead to side effects, though it isn’t considered to be addictive.
- Suddenly quitting this medication can cause buspirone withdrawal symptoms.
- Doctors will usually advise patients to taper off buspirone slowly rather than quit all at once.
If you or a loved one is struggling with the effects of drugs or alcohol, it helps to know that help is available. Rehab success rates can be quite high with the proper treatment and professional assistance, and a better future without addiction is possible. Call the team at WhiteSands Treatment Center today at 877-855-3470 to learn how we can help.
Resources
- Mayo Clinic – Buspirone (Oral Route)
- GoodRx – How Does Buspirone Work? All About Its Mechanism of Action
- National Library of Medicine – Assessing the Potential for Buspirone Dependence or Abuse and Effects of Its Withdrawal
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
