Sometimes the fear, nervousness, or anxiety we feel can affect us so much that we can't even do our daily tasks. So, at times like these, your doctor may prescribe a medication called Buspirone. This name may be new to you. So today, we'll talk about this medication, how it works, and what we need to be aware of.
What is this medicine called Buspirone?
Simply put, Buspirone is a medication used to treat anxiety . It helps reduce the feelings of fear, restlessness, and uncontrollable worry that you experience.
Imagine, there are some chemical messengers inside our brain that control our mood. We call them neurotransmitters . Dopamine and Serotonin are two of the main ones. These have a lot to do with things like happiness and calmness in our minds. When we have anxiety, the balance of these can be disrupted. So, Buspirone works by rebalancing the levels of dopamine and serotonin in your brain. Through that, your anxiety is controlled.
The most important thing is that this is a medicine that should only be used on the advice of a doctor. You can't use it just because it worked for a friend.
Things to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before your doctor prescribes this medicine for you, he or she will need to know your complete medical history. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor .
- If you have kidney or liver disease .
- If you have had an allergic reaction to Buspirone or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
Based on this information, the doctor will decide whether this medication is right for you or not, or whether the dosage needs to be changed.
How should I use this medicine?
To get the most out of your medication, it is very important to use it correctly.
- How to take: Take this pill with a glass of water. Take the prescribed dose at the prescribed time, as directed by your doctor.
- Taking with food: You can take this medicine before or after a meal. But the most important thing is to take it the same way every day . If you start taking it with food, take it with food every day. If you take it before a meal, do it the same way every day. That way, the way the medicine is absorbed into the body will be the same every day.
- Stopping: Never stop taking the medication suddenly without consulting your doctor. Doing so may cause other problems. If you do stop, there is a way to do that as well.
- If you miss a dose: If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose (for example, it is only a few hours away), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
- Overdose: If you think you have taken too much medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
- For children: Children may need special care when giving this medicine. Talk to your doctor about this.
Other things that may interact with Buspirone
This is a very important part. Buspirone can interact with other medications and foods you are taking. Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (prescribed by other doctors, over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, vitamins).
| Medicines that should not be taken with Buspirone (DO NOT TAKE WITH) | |
|---|---|
| MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) | These are an older class of medications used to treat depression. They come under names like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate. Taking these with Buspirone can cause dangerously high blood pressure. |
| Linezolid | This is an antibiotic medicine. |
| Methylene blue | This is a substance used for certain medical treatments. |
| Other things that may interact with Buspirone | |
|---|---|
| Grapefruit juice | Drinking grapefruit juice can increase the levels of Buspirone in the body and increase side effects. |
| Other medications for anxiety and depression | Ex: Diazepam, Nefazodone |
| Anticonvulsants such as phenobarbitone and carbamazepine | Medications for seizures |
| Antibiotics such as Erythromycin | Certain antibiotics |
| Antifungals | Ex: Itraconazole, Ketoconazole |
| Heart disease/high blood pressure medications like Diltiazem, Verapamil | Certain heart/blood pressure medications |
| Warfarin (a blood thinner) | Blood thinner |
Things to consider when taking the medicine
- Be patient: You won't see immediate results from taking this medicine. It may take a week or two for your anxiety to subside. So don't panic, and continue taking the medicine as your doctor tells you.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medication may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. So , do not do anything that requires alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this affects you.
- Changing positions: Standing up suddenly or getting out of bed can cause dizziness and falling. Change positions slowly , especially if you are elderly.
- Alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol while taking buspirone. Alcohol can make you feel more sleepy and dizzy.
Side effects of the medicine
Like all medicines, Buspirone can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Serotonin Syndrome | This is a very serious condition. Symptoms include: restlessness/confusion, rapid heartbeat, muscle stiffness or twitching, excessive sweating, high fever, convulsions, vomiting, and diarrhea. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Nervousness | Dizziness |
| Drowsiness | Headache |
| Nausea | Trouble sleeping |
Take-Home Message
- Buspirone is a medication for anxiety that should only be taken on the advice of a doctor.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking, especially MAOI medications.
- It may take 1-2 weeks to see the full effects of the medication, so be patient and continue using it.
- Avoid activities that require attention, such as driving, as drowsiness and dizziness may occur.
- Avoid alcohol and grapefruit juice completely while taking the medication.
- Never stop taking medication or change the dosage without your doctor's advice.
- If you experience any serious side effects (especially symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome), seek medical advice immediately.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න