Generic & Trade Name of Drug
CLASSIFICATION OF DRUG
Buspirone
Indications/ Therapeutic
Effects:
Management of anxiety
Dosage Range:
PO: 7.5mg twice daily; up by 5mg/day every 2-4 days as needed (not to exceed
60mg/day) usual dose is 20-30mg/day (in 2 divided doses)
Routes of
Administration:
PO
Pharmacokinetics:
Nursing Implications/
Assessments:
Side/ Adverse Effects:
Contraindications:
Client Teaching:
Absorption: rapidly absorbed
Distribution: unknown
Protein binding: 95% bound to plasma proteins
Metabolism and excretion: extensively metabolized by the liver (CYP3A4 enzyme system)
Half life: 2-3 hours
Do not confuse buspirone with bupropion
Patients changing from other antianxiety agents should receive gradually
decreasing doses. Buspirone will not prevent withdrawal symptoms
PO: may be administered with food to minimize gastric irritation. Food slows
but does not alter extent of absorption
CNS: dizziness, drowsiness, excitement, fatigue, headache, insomnia, nervousness,
weakness, personality changes. EENT: blurred vision, nasal congestion, sore throat,
tinnitus, altered taste or smell, conjunctivitis. Resp: chest congestion, hyperventilation,
shortness of breath. CV: chest pain, palpations, tachycardia, hypertension, hypotension,
syncope. GI: nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, vomiting. GU:
changes in libido, dysuria, urinary frequency, urinary hesitancy. Derm: rashes, alopecia,
blisters, dry skin, easy bruising, edema, flushing, pruitus. Endo: irregular menses. MS:
myalgia. Neuro: incoordination, numbess, paresthesia, tremor. Misc: clamminess,
sweating, fever
Contradicted in: hypersensitivity, severe hepatic or renal impairment; concurrent use of
MAO inhibitors; ingestion of large amounts of grapefruit juice
Take exactly as directed
May cause dizziness or drowsiness
Advise patient to avoid concurrent use of alcohol or other CNS depressants
Other:
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