Key takeaways

  • Buspirone is a prescription drug for anxiety disorders that can cause common side effects like dizziness, nausea, headaches, and trouble sleeping. Most side effects are mild and temporary.
  • Serious side effects are rare but may include tremors, fast heart rate, serotonin syndrome, or severe allergic reactions. Get medical help right away if you have severe symptoms.
  • Some side effects can be managed with rest, dietary changes, or over-the-counter remedies, but always check with your doctor before making changes or stopping the medication.

Buspirone is used in adults to treat anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder. It’s taken as an oral tablet and may be used short or long term.

This article covers common, mild, and serious side effects, along with tips to help manage them.

Buspirone can cause side effects, but not everyone experiences them. Some are more common than others and may last only a few days or weeks. Contact your doctor if symptoms do not improve, get worse, or become difficult to manage.

Commonly reported side effects include:

  • feeling lightheaded
  • excitement
  • headaches
  • nervousness
  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • insomnia (trouble sleeping)

See “Tips for managing side effects” for help with these symptoms.

Mild side effects are usually temporary and may be easier to manage, but speak with your doctor if they persist or bother you. Do not stop taking buspirone unless advised by your doctor.

Mild side effects that have been reported with buspirone include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary, and some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop taking buspirone unless your doctor recommends it.

Buspirone may cause mild side effects other than those listed here. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

See “Tips for managing side effects” for help with these symptoms.

Though less common, some side effects may be serious and require immediate medical attention. If the side effects seem life threatening, or you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of buspirone. For more information, you can refer to buspirone’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects that have been reported include:

For more information about some of these side effects, see “Tips for managing side effects.”

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking buspirone and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

Allergic reactions can be mild or severe.

Mild symptoms may include a rash, itchiness, flushing, or minor swelling.
Severe symptoms may involve swelling of your mouth or throat, trouble breathing, or widespread hives. These require emergency medical care.

What might help

  • For mild symptoms: Take an oral antihistamine (such as diphenhydramine/Benadryl) or apply hydrocortisone cream, if approved by your doctor.
  • For severe symptoms: Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Here are ways that might help ease some of buspirone’s reported side effects. Always check with your doctor before trying a new remedy.

Anger

Headaches

  • applying a warm or cool compress
  • taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers (check with your doctor first)

Nausea

  • avoiding heat and humidity
  • staying away from strong smells like perfumes
  • eating small, frequent meals
  • following a plain diet (such as the BRAT diet)
  • trying ginger or another natural remedy
  • taking OTC anti-nausea medication (only if your doctor says it’s safe)

Drowsiness

  • drinking plenty of water
  • practicing good sleep habits
  • managing stress
  • avoiding driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how buspirone affects you

Allergic reaction

  • taking an oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
  • taking hydrocortisone cream or similar topical treatment

Buspirone may cause sexual side effects in some people. Examples of sexual side effects reported in studies of the drug include decreased and increased libido (sex drive). But these side effects weren’t common in the studies.

If you’re concerned about sexual side effects during your buspirone treatment, talk with your doctor. They may be able to recommend ways to treat your symptoms.

Does buspirone cause weight gain or weight loss?

Yes, both weight gain and weight loss have been reported, but they were rare in studies.

Do buspirone’s side effects vary depending on the strength (such as 5 mg vs. 30 mg)?

Not typically. Studies of buspirone didn’t report any differences in side effects based on the drug’s strength. Side effects appear similar regardless of tablet strength, though higher doses may increase your risk of side effects.

Are nightmares a side effect of buspirone?

It’s not likely that you’ll experience nightmares from taking buspirone. Nightmares weren’t a side effect reported in studies of buspirone. There have been reports of this side effect in people taking buspirone before the drug came onto the market. But it’s unclear how often this has happened or whether buspirone was the cause.

If you have nightmares that bother you while taking buspirone, talk with your doctor. They may be able to recommend a medication or strategy to help you sleep better.

Before taking buspirone, talk with your doctor about your health history. It may not be right for you if you have specific conditions or other factors affecting your health, such as:

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.