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Buspirone is a prescription antianxiety medicine used for management of anxiety disorders or short-term relief of anxiety symptoms. It is chemically and pharmacologically different from benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and other sedative anxiolytics. Buspirone is not a controlled substance. Oral products include tablets in several strengths and newer capsule formulations.
read more about buspirone ...The exact mechanism responsible for buspirone treatment effects is unknown. Buspirone has high affinity for serotonin 5-HT1A receptors and acts as a partial agonist. It also has activity at dopamine receptors. Unlike benzodiazepines, buspirone lacks prominent anticonvulsant and muscle-relaxant effects and generally produces less sedation.
Buspirone is indicated for anxiety disorders and short-term relief of anxiety symptoms. Evidence supporting approval included patients with symptoms corresponding to generalized anxiety disorder, such as persistent worry, tension, restlessness, irritability, and physical symptoms of anxiety. Ordinary stress without an anxiety disorder does not usually call for anxiolytic treatment.
The recommended initial dose is 15 mg daily, given as 7.5 mg twice daily. Dosing can increase by 5 mg per day every two to three days, with a maximum of 60 mg daily. Clinical trials commonly used divided daily doses totaling 20 mg to 30 mg. Buspirone is taken consistently with or without food.
Common reactions include dizziness, nausea, headache, nervousness, lightheadedness, and excitement. Serotonin syndrome is a serious risk when buspirone is combined with certain serotonergic medicines. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors used for depression require a 14-day separation from buspirone. Severe liver or kidney impairment can substantially increase exposure, so current labeling does not recommend use in those settings.
No. Buspirone is not classified as a controlled substance in the United States.
The recommended starting dose is 15 mg daily, commonly divided as 7.5 mg twice daily.
Current tablet labeling lists a maximum total dose of 60 mg per day.
Yes. Patients take it either consistently with food or consistently without food due differences in drug exposure.
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Buspirone. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a688005.html. Date Accessed September 18, 2026.
Buspirone. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531477/. Date Accessed September 18, 2026.
DailyMed - BUSPIRONE HYDROCHLORIDE capsule. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=160f52d2-2e08-4969-80c3-c653767652f0. Date Accessed September 18, 2026.
DailyMed - BUSPIRONE HYDROCHLORIDE tablet. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c78cf4ff-51b2-851e-89cc-98ea543e3865. Date Accessed September 18, 2026.