Busron Tablets 5Mg (1 Strip = 10 Tablets)

Requires Prescription (YES/NO)

Yes

Generics

Buspirone

Used For

Anxiety

How it works

Buspirone is a member of the azapirone class of drugs. It has anxiolytic activity, but is largely lacking in sedative and muscle relaxant effects and anticonvulsant activity. Its mechanism of action has yet to be fully explained. Evidence to date suggests that its activity is based on its effects on serotonin (5-HT) receptors. It acts as an agonist of pre-synaptic and partial agonist of post-synaptic 5-HT1A subtype receptors. It is thought this initiates long-term changes in central 5-HT neurotransmission, producing the efficacy seen in the treatment of anxiety. Buspirone is thought to have antagonist activity at D2 receptors at the doses stipulated for anxious disorders, though it is unclear if this is linked to its anxiolytic activity. Buspirone's effects on GABAergic mechanisms are unclear. It does not directly interact with either the benzodiazepine-GABA receptor complex or GABA receptors. However, there is indirect evidence for buspirone having a GABA antagonist-like action.

Dosage

Buspirone

Side Effects

Nervousness, difficulty in sleeping, disturbance in attention, depression, confused state, sleeping problems, anger, excitement, pins and needles, tingling, blurred vision, abnormal coordination, tremor, ringing or buzzing in the ears, racing heart (abnormally fast heart rhythm), chest pain, blocked nose, sore throat, feeling and being sick, stomach pain, dry mouth, diarrhoea, constipation, cold sweats, rash, pain in the muscles, tendons, ligaments and bone, mental and physical tiredness .

Drug Interactions

• Monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as phenelzine, tranylcypromine (for depression) • St. John’s Wort, nefazodone, L-tryptophan, fluvoxamine, trazodone (for depression) • Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) e.g. fluoxetine, paroxetine (for depression) • Serotonin norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (SNRIs) e.g. duloxetine, venlafaxine • Tricyclic antidepressants e.g. amitriptyline, clomipramine • Haloperidol, lithium (for mental illness) • Calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem, verapamil (to treat high blood pressure) • Rifampicin (to treat tuberculosis) • Triptan drugs e.g. sumatriptan (to treat migraine) • Tramadol (a painkiller) • Baclofen (a muscle relaxant) • Lofexidine (to manage drug withdrawal) • Nabilone (to treat nausea and vomiting) • Antihistamines (to treat allergic reactions) • Erythromycin, itraconazole, linezolid (to treat infections) • Benzodiazepines e.g. nitrazepam or temazepam or another common sedative or hypnotic medicine • Diltiazem (to treat angina) • Digoxin (to treat heart failure) • Phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine .

Indication

Buspirone used for the: • Short term management of anxiety disorders • Relief of symptoms of anxiety with or without symptoms of depression.

When not to Use

Do not take Buspirone if you: • Are allergic to buspirone hydrochloride or any of the other ingredients of this medicine • Are pregnant or breast-feeding • Have epilepsy • Have severely impaired liver or kidney function.

Precaution

Buspirone does not exhibit cross-tolerance with benzodiazepines and other common sedative/hypnotic agents. It will not block the withdrawal syndrome often seen with cessation of therapy with these agents. Patients should be gradually withdrawn from these agents before initiating buspirone treatment.

Warning 1

The administration of buspirone to a patient taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) may pose a hazard. There have been reports of the occurrence of elevated blood pressure when buspirone has been added to a regimen including a MAOI. Therefore, it is recommended that buspirone not be used concomitantly with a MAOI.

Warning 2

Buspirone should not be used alone to treat depression, and may potentially mask the clinical signs of depression.

Warning 3

Concomitant administration of buspirone and other serotonergic agents, such as MAO inhibitors, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (SNRIs) or tricyclic antidepressants may result in serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition .

Pregnancy category

Always consult your physician before using any medicine.

Storage (YES/NO)

Store this medicine at room temperature, away from direct light and heat.