Do you need to take buspirone (anxiolytic medication) with food and at what time of day?

Buspirone Administration Guidelines: Timing and Food Considerations

Buspirone should be taken consistently with regard to food - either always with food or always without food - to maintain consistent absorption and effectiveness. 1

Food Effects on Buspirone Absorption

• The FDA drug label clearly states that the bioavailability of buspirone increases when taken with food compared to the fasted state 1
• Research shows that food intake can increase buspirone bioavailability approximately 2-fold 2
• High-fat meals specifically can increase bioavailability by 2.5 times 3

Optimal Administration Recommendations

Food Considerations:

• Consistency is key: The most important factor is taking buspirone consistently either:
  • Always with food, OR
  • Always without food 1
• This consistency helps maintain stable blood levels and predictable therapeutic effects

Time of Day:

• For standard dosing (15-30 mg daily), buspirone is typically administered in divided doses:
  • Initial dosing is usually 7.5 mg twice daily (15 mg total) 1
  • As dosage increases, it's commonly given in 2-3 divided doses throughout the day
  • The maximum daily dosage should not exceed 60 mg 1

Practical Administration Tips:

• If taking with food, maintain similar meal composition when possible (especially fat content)
• If experiencing nausea as a side effect, taking with food may help reduce this symptom
• For patients with anxiety that worsens at specific times of day, dosing can be adjusted to provide coverage during those periods
• Morning and evening divided doses are common for twice-daily regimens

Special Considerations

Medication Interactions:

• Buspirone should not be taken with MAO inhibitors or within 14 days of stopping MAO inhibitor treatment 1
• Certain medications like diltiazem, verapamil, and erythromycin can significantly increase buspirone plasma concentrations 1

Side Effect Management:

• Common side effects include dizziness, headache, nervousness, and lightheadedness 4
• Taking buspirone with food may help reduce gastrointestinal side effects
• Patients should be warned not to drive until they know how the medication affects them 1

Monitoring and Follow-up

• Therapeutic effects of buspirone may take 2-4 weeks to become fully apparent 3
• Dosage adjustments should be made at intervals of 2-3 days as needed 1
• Patients should be monitored for effectiveness and side effects at regular intervals

By maintaining consistency with food intake when taking buspirone and following an appropriate divided dosing schedule, patients can optimize the medication's effectiveness while minimizing potential side effects.