How to use Buspirone (Buspar)?
Take Buspirone tablet with a glass of water with or without food as per your doctor's advice. Usually it is prescribed for 2 or 3 times a day. Always try to take Buspirone same time each day. Initially when you take this medication your symptoms of anxiety may get worse before they improve. It may take as long as a month for the symptoms to improve.

Sometimes you may have to split the tablet in order to get the correct dosage for you.

While you are taking this medication you need to avoid eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice as grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects. Seek more information from your doctor or the pharmacist.

Your dosage will be decided upon your medical condition and your response to the medication. For children, dosage is calculated according to the weight. If you missed a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is too close to your next dose then skip the missed dose and take the regular dose. Should never double the dose in order to make up for the missed dose.

Take Buspirone exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take in doses which are either larger or for longer than what is recommended by your doctor.

Precautions
Prior to taking Buspirone inform your doctor if you have

• any allergies to Buspirone or any other allergies
• kidney problems
• liver problems
• bipolar disorder (manic depression)
• Parkinson's disease

Buspirone may make you dizzy, confused or disoriented. Consumption of alcohol or marijuana can increase the risk of drowsiness. Do not operate machinery, drive a car or do anything that require alertness until you can do it safely. Understand how this medication affects you. Do not take any alcoholic beverages.

Do not stop your medicines, If you are already on other medications for anxiety, Prevention of withdrawal symptoms will not be done by Buspione.

If you are pregnant you must take Buspirone only if it's absolutely necessary. Discuss with your doctor the risks and the benefits involved.

Nursing mothers must discuss with the doctor if it is safe to feed the baby while taking Buspirone.

Side Effects
Your doctor prescribed this medicine after carefully analyzing the benefits over the risks involved. Most people do not experience any serious side effects.

• dizziness
• headache
• drowsiness
• lightheadedness
• nervousness
• restlessness
• trouble sleeping
• blurred vision
• tiredness

Rarely patients have shown they developed movement disorders. Those symptoms may include

• muscle stiffness
• jerky walking movements
• shakiness (tremors)
• masklike facial expression
• Tardive dyskinesia

Inform your doctor immediately if you develop any  unusual / uncontrolled movements especially of the legs, face, mouth, arms or tongue.

A serious allergy reaction is extremely rare with Hydroxyzine. In case you show the following symptoms get to the emergency clinic

• itching
• dizziness
• trouble breathing
• swelling in the face, throat, tongue, throat
• rash  - itching

Interaction

Inform your doctor about any medications that you are taking including prescription medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies.  Do not start, stop and change the dosage of any medicine without your doctor's permission.

Some of the medications may interact with Buspirone (Buspar) is

• blood thinner (warfarin)
• Benzodianzepines used to treat anxiety and insomnia. (diazepam and triazolam)
• Muscle relaxant (cyclobenzaprine)
• MAOIs
• Medication used to treat fungal infections (itraconzoles, ketoconazole)
• Steroids (prednisone)
• Medication used to treat seizures (Dilantin, Tegretol)
• Some antibiotics (erythromycin, rifampin)
• HIV drug (ritonavir)
• The heartburn drug – (Cimetidine)
• Some high blood pressure drugs (diltiazem and  verapamil)
• Antipsychotic drugs (Haldol)

Confusion and drowsiness may be caused by Buspirons. Avoid driving or operating machinery or walking around until you feel well.

Consumption of alcohol is prohibited.

Do not drink Grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit.