Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment and Therapy How Is BuSpar Used as an Anxiety Treatment? By Arlin Cuncic Arlin Cuncic Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of "Therapy in Focus: What to Expect from CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder" and "7 Weeks to Reduce Anxiety." Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 13, 2021 Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on July 12, 2021 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Overview Dosage Contraindications Interactions Adverse Effects Social Anxiety Disorder Alternatives BuSpar (buspirone hydrochloride [HCL]) is a medication used to treat generalized anxiety. BuSpar is not related chemically or pharmacologically to other anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines or other sedatives. The effectiveness of BuSpar for treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has been established. Bristol-Meyers Squibb obtained approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1986 for use of buspirone (trade name BuSpar) to be used in the treatment of GAD. However, the patent expired in 2001 and buspirone is now sold as a generic drug. Verywell / Kelly Miller How BuSpar Works (Method of Action) Buspirone is from the azapirone class of medications, which includes other anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and antipsychotic medications. BuSpar has effects on neurotransmitters in the brain such as serotonin and dopamine. Specifically, it is a serotonin receptor agonist, which means that it increases action at serotonin receptors in your brain, which in turn helps to alleviate anxiety. Buspirone is commonly used as an add-on to other medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for treatment of depression or anxiety, rather than a first-line treatment. BuSpar may also be prescribed if other medications have been ineffective or involved too many side effects. It is most often prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder. Taking BuSpar BuSpar tablets should be taken consistently either with food or without. It is usually taken two or three times daily. The initial dose may be increased by 5 mg every 2 to 3 days, with a maximum dose that generally does not exceed 60 mg. Most patients respond to a dose in the range of 15 to 30 mg. BuSpar is slow acting, so it may take a few weeks to feel the effects. Your doctor will evaluate your situation and how you respond to the medication to determine the optimal length of time that you should take BuSpar. Typically, the medication is taken for several months up to a year. When your doctor decides that you should stop taking BuSpar, the dose will gradually be reduced, to help avoid potential effects of withdrawal. Who Shouldn’t Take BuSpar Buspar (buspirone hydrochloride) should not be taken by those with a hypersensitivity to the drug. Drug hypersensitivity refers to immune-mediated reactions to drugs, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. In cases of hypersensitivity, your doctor will discontinue the medication treatment. Buspar should also be used with caution in persons with compromised liver function or pre-existing medical conditions. Because removal of buspirone is mediated by liver enzymes, there may be increased blood concentrations of buspirone if the liver is not functioning normally. In addition, as buspirone can affect blood glucose levels, this may be problematic for people with diabetes. Buspar is not recommended for nursing mothers as there is evidence to suggest it may be secreted into breast milk. Its safety during pregnancy has also not been adequately studied. Medication Interactions BuSpar can potentially interact with numerous medications. The use of buspirone with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) can result in increased blood pressure. In addition, medications that have action on liver enzymes may increase or decrease concentrations of buspirone in the blood, which can lead to more side effects or a lack of effectiveness of the drug. For example, erythromycin can increase concentrations of BuSpar. For these reasons, it is important that your doctor is aware of all medications that you are taking before being prescribed BuSpar. In addition, it is best to avoid using alcohol while taking BuSpar. Mixing alcohol with BuSpar can lead to increased drowsiness and feeling lightheaded. More severe implications of this combination include problems with muscle control, memory, and breathing. Adverse Effects A range of adverse effects is possible when taking Buspar, including dizziness, nausea, headache, nervousness or excitement, and lightheadedness. Other more rare but potential adverse effects include the following: Constipation or diarrhea Difficulty sleeping Drowsiness and fatigue Dry mouth Vomiting, upset stomach, stomach pain Weakness or numbness The more common side effects are seen in about 10% of cases, while the rarer side effects are seen only in around 2% of people taking the medication. Side effects are more common when the medication is first taken and may lessen after a few weeks. Associated Risks Although BuSpar is less sedating than many other anxiety medications, use caution if driving, operating machinery, or participating in hazardous activities. There is little risk of physical or psychological dependence on BuSpar, and the risk of overdose is low. BuSpar and Social Anxiety Disorder One small study from 1993 showed improvement after the use of buspirone in a 12-week open trial with 17 patients with generalized social phobia based on DSM-III-R criteria (12 patients showed improvement). However, a double-blind placebo-controlled study of 30 patients with SAD in 1997 showed no improvement compared to the placebo. These results suggest that buspirone as a single treatment option may not be helpful for social anxiety disorder that does not accompany other diagnoses. However, if you do not respond to other medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), buspirone may be an option to augment your current treatment plan. Alternatives to BuSpar If BuSpar does not alleviate your anxiety or you are not able to take it due to a medical condition or medication interaction, your doctor can determine the best alternative medication or form of treatment for your situation. These might include benzodiazepines, SSRIs, or therapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Treatment Options for Generalized Anxiety Disorder A Word From Verywell If you have been prescribed BuSpar for anxiety, be sure to follow your doctor's instructions and report any ill effects. If you find the medication is not making a difference in your symptoms after several weeks, it might be worth asking your doctor whether another medication would be a better choice. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 7 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Howland RH. Buspirone: Back to the Future. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2015;53(11):21-4. doi:10.3928/02793695-20151022-01 BUSPAR- buspirone hydrochloride tablet. U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health. May 25, 2016. Rabatin J, Keltz LB. Generalized anxiety and panic disorder. West J Med. 2002;176(3):164-8. doi:10.1136/ewjm.176.3.164 BUSPIRONE- buspirone hydrochloride tablet. U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health. March 29, 2010. Newton RE, Marunycz JD, Alderdice MT, Napoliello MJ. Review of the side-effect profile of buspirone. Am J Med. 1986 Mar 31;80(3B):17–21. doi:10.1016/0002-9343(86)90327-x Schneier FR, Saoud JB, Campeas R, et al. Buspirone in social phobia. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1993;13(4):251-256. Van vliet IM, Den boer JA, Westenberg HG, Pian KL. Clinical effects of buspirone in social phobia: a double-blind placebo-controlled study. J Clin Psychiatry. 1997;58(4):164-8. doi:10.4088/jcp.v58n0405 Speak to a Therapist for Social Anxiety Disorder Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.