Antianxiety drugs

Encyclopedia of Medicine, Apr 06, 2001 by Nancy Ross-Flanigan

The most common side effects are nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, restlessness, nervousness, or unusual excitement. These problems usually go away as the body adjusts to the drug and do not require medical treatment unless they persist or they interfere with normal activities.

More serious side effects are rare, but may occur. If any of the following side effects occur, check with the physician who prescribed the medicine as soon as possible:

• Chest pain
• Fast or pounding heartbeat
• Muscle weakness
• Numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in hands or feet
• Involuntary movements of the body
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Confusion
• Depression.

Other rare side effects may occur. Anyone who has unusual symptoms during or after treatment with buspirone should get in touch with his or her physician.

Buspirone may interact with a variety of other medicines. When this happens, the effects of one or both of the drugs may change or the risk of side effects may be greater. Anyone who takes buspirone should let the physician know all other medicines he or she is taking. Among the drugs that may interact with buspirone are:

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and selegiline (Eldepryl)
• The blood-thinning drug warfarin (Coumadin)
• Haloperidol (Haldol), used to treat certain mental disorders.

The list above may not include every drug that may interact with buspirone. Be sure to check with a physician or pharmacist before combining buspirone with any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicine.