Buspirone is an anti-anxiety medicine that affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with anxiety.

Buspirone is used to treat symptoms of anxiety, such as fear, tension, irritability, dizziness, pounding heartbeat, and other physical symptoms.

Common Buspirone side effects may include:

• headache;

• dizziness, drowsiness;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• nausea, upset stomach; or

• feeling nervous or excited.

Buspirone dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Anxiety:

Initial dose: 7.5 mg orally two times a day or 5 mg 3 times a day.
Maintenance dose: The daily dose may be increased in 5 mg increments every 2 to 3 days up to 20 to 60 mg/day in divided doses.
Maximum dose: 60 mg per day

Usual Pediatric Dose for Anxiety:

6 to 18 years:
Initial dose: 2.5 to 10 mg daily.
Maintenance dose: The daily dose may be increased in 2.5 mg increments every 2 to 3 days to 15 to 60 mg/day given in 2 divided doses.

Study (n=26) Anxiety and Moderately Severe Aggression:
5 to 15 years: 5 mg daily, titrated upwards every 3 days by 5 to 10 mg, to a maximum of 50 mg daily dose.

Study (n=22) Anxiety and Irritability in Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders:
6 to 17 years: 5 mg three times daily, titrated to a maximum of 45 mg/day within 3 weeks.