From the Guidelines
The starting dose of buspirone for adults with anxiety disorders is 5 mg twice daily, with a maximum dose of 20 mg three times daily. This recommendation is based on the most recent and highest quality study available, which suggests that buspirone is useful only in patients with mild to moderate agitation and may take 2 to 4 weeks to become effective 1.
Key Considerations
- The initial dose of 5 mg twice daily helps minimize side effects while the body adjusts to the medication.
- The dose can be gradually increased by 5 mg per day at intervals of 2-3 days until reaching the target therapeutic dose.
- Buspirone works by affecting serotonin and dopamine receptors in the brain, but unlike benzodiazepines, it's not habit-forming and doesn't cause sedation or impair coordination.
Important Details
- Patients should know that buspirone takes 2-4 weeks to reach full therapeutic effect, so symptom improvement won't be immediate.
- The medication should be taken consistently, preferably at the same times each day, and can be taken with or without food, though taking it with food may help reduce stomach upset.
- It is essential to monitor patients for potential side effects and adjust the dose accordingly, as buspirone may cause dizziness, headache, and nausea in some individuals.
From the FDA Drug Label
The recommended initial dose is 15 mg daily (7.5 mg b.i.d.) The starting dose of buspirone is 15 mg daily, which can be divided into 7.5 mg twice a day 2.
From the Research
Starting Dose of Buspirone
- The starting dose of buspirone is typically 15 mg/day, as indicated in the study 3.
- This dose can be administered as 5 mg three times daily or as a single dose of 15 mg once daily, with the option to adjust the dosage regimen for patient convenience without compromising safety and tolerability 4.
- The dose range for buspirone is generally between 15 mg/day to 30 mg/day, with most patients being successfully managed on daily doses within this range 5.
- It is essential to note that the dosage may need to be adjusted based on individual patient response and tolerance, and the need for ongoing therapy should be periodically reevaluated 5.