Buspar for Anxiety Relief?
Generic name:
Buspirone Hydrochloride
Buspar
is a minor tranquilizer and anti-anxiety drug which has become very popular in
providing anxiety relief. Buspar is generally prescribed to treat certain
anxiety disorders, and is also sometimes prescribed for the aches, pains,
fatigue, and cramps of premenstrual symptom (PMS). However, this and other anti
anxiety drugs are not usually used for anxiety or tension caused by the stress
of everyday life.
Buspar: General information
Buspar or buspirone
hydrochloride has a potent anti anxiety effect and has been increasingly popular
since its approval by the FDA for anxiety relief. It has been approved by the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for short-term anxiety relief but it may
apparently be used safely for more than four weeks at a time, as contrasted to
several other popular anti anxiety drugs. The actual way that buspar works is
not known at the present time, but has become popular due to the lack of
addiction and other dangerous side effects usually associated with other anti
anxiety drugs, such as the benzodiazepines. It is thought to work by decreasing
the amount and actions of a chemical known as serotonin in certain parts of the
brain. It is not believed to severely depress the nervous system nor act as an
anticonvulsant or muscle relaxant, as other anti anxiety drugs do. Minor
improvement will be apparent usually after about 7 - 10 days of the initiation
of drug treatment, but its maximum effect usually does not occur for
approximately 3 to four weeks. This anxiety medication is only available by
doctor's prescription in an oral form (tablets) in both the United States and
Canada.
Special cautions and warnings when taking buspar:
You should never take buspar
if you have ever had any history of an allergic response or sensitivity to this
anti anxiety drug. It should be used cautiously by people with liver or kidney
disease. It does not have any antipsychotic effects and should not be taken for
symptoms of psychosis. Although it has never been shown to have potential for
drug abuse, you should be aware of this possibility. If you will be using buspar
for a prolonged period of time, your doctor should check your progress at
regular visits to make sure the medicine does not cause unwanted effects or side
effects.
Some information from Consumer Reports
Consumer Drug Reference
Additional
Information and webpage by
Paul Susic
MA
Licensed Psychologist Ph.D. Candidate
(Health and Geriatric Psychologist)
