Buspirone, Oral byoo-SPY-rohn

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antianxiety

Generic and brand names: buspirone, oral; BuSpar; BuSpar Dividose

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat anxiety disorders. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• liver or kidney disease

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

You should take this medicine the same way every day, either always with or always without food.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, stomach pain.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, tightness in your chest, trouble breathing, swelling of the tongue and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Irregular or fast heartbeat, high or low blood pressure, chest pain, fainting, blurred vision, sudden confusion.

Other: Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, tiredness, restlessness, nervousness, itching, rash, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, nausea, loss of appetite, sweating.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin, Biaxin XL), erythromycin (Erythrocin, E.E.S., EryPed), and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
• antidepressants such as amitriptyline, citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), nefazodone, paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), and trazodone
• antifungal medicines such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• anti-HIV medicines such as indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), and ritonavir (Norvir)
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Tegretol, Tegretol XR) and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
• calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem, nicardipine (Cardene), and verapamil (Calan, Covera-HS, Isoptin SR, Verelan, Tiazac)
• clozapine (Clozaril)
• linezolid (Zyvox)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) (Do not take an MAO inhibitor and this medicine within 14 days of each other.)
• natural remedies such as gingko biloba, gotu kola, kava, St. Johns wort, and valerian
• other antianxiety medicines such as diazepam (Valium), flurazepam, and triazolam (Halcion)
• products that contain methylene blue (Prosed DS, Utira-C, Urelle, Utrona-C)
• selegiline (Eldepryl)

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.

The effects of this medicine may be increased if you take it with grapefruit juice. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.