From the Guidelines
Buspirone is recommended for generalized anxiety disorder, starting at an initial dosage of 5 mg twice daily, with a maximum dosage of 20 mg three times daily. The treatment of generalized anxiety disorder with buspirone is supported by evidence from various studies, although the provided study 1 specifically mentions the dosage and usage of buspirone as an anxiolytic drug. Key points to consider when prescribing buspirone include:
- Initial dosage: 5 mg twice daily
- Maximum dosage: 20 mg three times daily
- Time to effectiveness: 2 to 4 weeks
- Administration: preferably with food to enhance absorption
- Side effects: dizziness, headache, nausea, and nervousness
- Advantages: non-sedating, no abuse potential, doesn't cause withdrawal symptoms, and doesn't impair cognitive or motor function It's essential to note that buspirone may take 2 to 4 weeks to become effective, and patients should be aware of this delayed onset of action, as mentioned in the study 1. Additionally, patients should be cautioned against abrupt discontinuation of the medication and advised to avoid alcohol while taking buspirone. Overall, buspirone is a viable treatment option for generalized anxiety disorder, offering a favorable side effect profile and minimal risk of dependence or withdrawal symptoms, as supported by the study 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Buspirone hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the management of anxiety disorder or the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety. The efficacy of buspirone hydrochloride tablets has been demonstrated in controlled clinical trials of outpatients whose diagnosis roughly corresponds to Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
The recommended treatment and dosage of Buspirone for generalized anxiety disorder is not explicitly stated in the drug label.
- Dosage information is not provided in the label.
- The label only mentions that the effectiveness of buspirone hydrochloride tablets in long-term use, that is, for more than 3 to 4 weeks, has not been demonstrated in controlled trials 2.
- The physician who elects to use buspirone hydrochloride tablets for extended periods should periodically reassess the usefulness of the drug for the individual patient.
From the Research
Recommended Treatment and Dosage of Buspirone
The recommended treatment and dosage of Buspirone for generalized anxiety disorder can be summarized as follows:
- Buspirone is an effective anxiolytic for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, with efficacy comparable to benzodiazepines 3, 4, 5.
- The dosage of Buspirone can be either 15 mg twice daily (BID) or 10 mg three times daily (TID), with similar safety and tolerability profiles 6.
- A change to BID dosing may offer convenience and possibly higher compliance in patients with persistent anxiety without compromising the excellent safety and tolerability profile of the medication 6.
- Buspirone is probably the treatment of choice when prolonged therapy is indicated because it does not produce physical dependence, does not interact with alcohol, and does not cause psychomotor impairment 7.
Key Considerations
Some key considerations when using Buspirone for generalized anxiety disorder include:
- Buspirone has a slower and more gradual onset of anxiety relief compared to benzodiazepines, but has increased safety and lack of dependency-producing aspects 3.
- Buspirone may be particularly useful in geriatric patients, as it causes less sedation and motor impairment than diazepam 5.
- The frequency of adverse effects is low, and the most common effects are headaches, dizziness, nervousness, and lightheadness 4.