BuSpar Side Effects

Nausea, drowsiness, and dizziness were the most common BuSpar side effects seen in clinical studies. Side effects that were less common included shortness of breath, muscle cramps, and weight loss or weight gain. There are also several potentially serious side effects of BuSpar that can occur and that should be reported to a healthcare provider immediately, such as hallucinations, seizures, or suicidal thoughts.

 

An Introduction to BuSpar Side Effects

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with BuSpar® (buspirone hydrochloride); however, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
 
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with BuSpar. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of BuSpar side effects with you.)
 

Possible Side Effects of BuSpar

BuSpar has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occur in a group of people taking the drug are documented and are then compared to side effects that occur in another group of people not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
 
In these studies, the most common side effects of BuSpar included:
 
  • Dizziness -- in up to 12 percent of people
  • Drowsiness -- up to 10 percent
  • Nausea -- up to 8 percent
  • Headaches -- up to 6 percent
  • Nervousness -- up to 5 percent.
     
Other common BuSpar side effects, occurring in 1 to 4 percent of people, included:
 
  • Lightheadedness
  • Excitability
  • Anger or hostility
  • Confusion
  • Blurred vision
  • Diarrhea
  • Muscle aches or pains
  • Unusual sensations, such as numbness, burning, or tingling
  • Coordination problems
  • Shakiness (tremor)
  • Weakness
  • Sweating or clamminess.
     
(BuSpar Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;