Buspar is a trade name for
buspirone, a drug used to treat Generalized Anxiety Disorder and sometimes
depression. It has also shown promise in helping patients recovering from
traumatic brain injuries to improve their spatial learning and memory.
The chemical structure of buspirone
is completely different from those in the benzodiazepine family, such as
Valium, and therefore BuSpar shows very little risk for tolerance, dependence
or addiction.
Also, there
appears to be no withdrawal effects of sudden discontinuance of the use of
Buspar.
Alternative & street names:
Buspar
is now available as a generic buspirone prescription. No known street names.
In
addition to Buspar, buspirone is also available as Ansial, Ansiced, Anxiron,
Axoren, Bespar, Buspimen, Buspinol, Buspiron, Buspisal, Narol, Spamilan,
Spitomin and Sorbon.
How is Buspar taken?
Buspar is taken orally as a tablet, usually 2 or 3
times per day.
Effects of Buspar consumption
Patients
may take Buspar with or without food, but it is recommended that they remain
consistent. Also, one should not drink an abundance of grapefruit juice while
taking Buspar, as grapefruit juice increases the plasma concentration of
buspirone.
Unlike
other anti-anxiety drugs, it takes a week or two for Buspar’s sedative effects
to take hold.
Impact on the mind/body and health
risks
Buspirone may
cause side effects, such as:
- drowsiness
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- constipation
- diarrhea
- stomach pain
- headache
- dry mouth
- depression
- excitement
- fatigue
- nervousness
- difficulty sleeping
- lightheadedness
- weakness
- numbness
If more severe side effects occur, patients
should call their doctors immediately. Those more severe side effects include:
·
skin rash
·
itching
·
fast or irregular heartbeat
·
blurred vision
·
unusual movements of the head or
neck muscles
Signs of abuse of this substance
While
many claim that Buspar is not addictive, some doctors disagree. Like all
tranquilizers, they argue, Buspar can be habit forming and addictive with
life-threatening neurological consequences.
Common treatment options
Even patients who are not physically
dependent on Buspar may develop a psychological dependence to it, necessitating
that ending the use of Buspar should be supervised by a doctor, and also
possibly an addiction psychiatrist in a 24/7 detox facility.
In a rehab facility, patients can
learn to function without the drug in their systems.
If discontinued abruptly, patients
may have withdrawal symptoms, and they risk damage to internal organs if they
stop using the drug without supervision.
Buspar withdrawal/detox symptoms
Major
symptoms of Buspar withdrawal include:
- Aches and pains
- Agoraphobia
- Anxiety
- Blurred Vision
- Body Vibrations
- Diarrhea
- Flu-like symptoms
- Hair loss
- Heart palpitations
- Heavy limbs
- Insomnia
- Lethargy
- Loss of balance
- Metallic taste
- Muscle spasms
- Nightmares
- Panic attacks
- Sweating
- Suicidal thoughts