Buspirone

The recommended dose starts at 5 mg 2 or 3 times daily. This may be increased by 5 mg every 2 to 3 days to a maximum of 45 mg daily in divided doses as directed by the doctor.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Buspirone at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause dryness of the mouth; it may cause headaches; it may cause drowsiness or dizziness - use caution when getting up from a lying or sitting position and use caution if driving; it may cause unusual tiredness; it may cause nausea or, rarely, vomiting. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Each white, barrel-shaped, compressed, single-scored tablet engraved "N" on one side and "10" divided by a score line on the other side, contains 10 mg of buspirone hydrochloride. Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, dextrin, sodium starch glycolate, colloidal silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate.

Do not take Buspirone if you:

• are allergic to buspirone or any ingredients of Buspirone
• have severe kidney impairment
• have severe liver impairment

There may be an interaction between buspirone and any of the following:

• "azole" antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, Voriconazole)
• chloramphenicol
• conivaptan
• Cyclobenzaprine
• delavirdine
• Dextromethorphan
• Diltiazem
• ergot alkaloids (e.g., Dihydroergotamine, ergotamine)
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• Meperidine
• methylene blue
• monoamide oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (e.g., Moclobemide, Phenelzine, Selegiline, tranylcipromine)
• nefazodone

• protease inhibitors (e.g., indinavir, lopinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Imipramine, Nortriptyline)
• St. John's wort
• Tramadol
• Trazodone
• "triptan" migraine medications (e.g., Sumatriptan, Zolmitriptan)
• Verapamil
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Buspirone. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Buspirone.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Buspirone may impair the mental or physical abilities required for certain tasks, such as driving a car or operating machinery. Do not drive or operate dangerous machinery while using Buspirone until you have determined how Buspirone affects you.

Kidney function: The kidneys are involved in removing buspirone from the body. People with reduced kidney function may experience increased side effects of buspirone as a result of it not being removed as quickly as expected.

If you have Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function, discuss with your doctor how Buspirone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: Buspirone is broken down by the liver so it can be removed from the body through the kidneys. Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause a build-up of buspirone in the body and cause side effects.

If you have liver disease or decreased liver function, discuss with your doctor how Buspirone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Buspirone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Seizures: The safety and effectiveness of buspirone when taken by someone with a seizure disorder have not been determined. If you have a seizure disorder or a history of seizure disorders you should not take Buspirone.

If you have a seizure disorder, discuss with your doctor how Buspirone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Buspirone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Buspirone, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if buspirone passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Buspirone, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of buspirone for children below the age of 6 years have not been established.

This medication is typically used 3 times a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Take it regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember -- unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not double the next dose to catch up. This medication may be taken with or without food, but always the same way (always with or always without food). Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice during your treatment. Grapefruit can seriously affect how this medication works. Consuming alcohol may intensify the effect of this product. It is therefore advisable to avoid consuming alcohol or alcohol-containing products while taking this medication.