Buspirone Side Effects

Buspirone is a medication used to treat anxiety 1. According to Drugs.com, some symptoms of anxiety include dizziness, fear and irritability 1. Buspirone is available as a tablet that works to balance the chemicals in the brain 1. Typically, buspirone is taken for up to four weeks 1.

Common Side Effects

Buspirone can cause common side effects such as fatigue, dry mouth, numbness and weakness, according to MedlinePlus 12. It can affect your digestive tract and cause diarrhea, constipation, vomiting or stomach pain. Buspirone can alter your psyche and cause depression, tiredness and even excitement 1. Other frequent side effects include difficulty sleeping and headache. Call your doctor if these symptoms worsen and cause further harm to your body.

Critical Side Effects

According to Drugs.com, buspirone may cause you to be lightheaded and faint 1. Other potentially harmful side effects include tachycardia (fast heartbeat) and an arrhythmia (uneven heartbeat). Sometimes, buspirone can cause lack of coordination, and you may fall and injure yourself 1. Other critical side effects include itching, blurry vision and strange movements of your neck or head, according to MedlinePlus 2. Do not ignore these symptoms and find medical help immediately.

Other Physical Side Effects

The National Library of Medicine states that buspirone can also cause chest pain, hypertension (high blood pressure), hypotension (low blood pressure), heart attacks and tinnitus (sensation of sound in your ears) 1. Buspirone can affect your airways and cause shortness of breath and chest congestion 1. Other physical side effects include hair loss, weight gain, fever and hiccups.

Contraindications

Avoid buspirone if you are allergic to its ingredients 1. Serious side effects may include breathing problems, hives and puffiness of your throat, face and lips, according to Drugs.com 1.

You should not combine buspirone with a class of medications known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) 1. According to the National Library of Medicine, this mixture can lead to high blood pressure.

You should tell your doctor if you are taking such medications as ketoconazole, diazepam, carbamazepine or nefazodone, according to MedlinePlus 2. These medications may adversely interact with buspirone and potentiate serious side effects 1. Other medications can interact with buspirone, so talk to your doctor to find out about any medications you are taking 1.