Buspirone: uses, appearance and warnings

Buspirone hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic. The efficacy of buspirone hydrochloride tablets has been demonstrated in controlled clinical trials of outpatients whose diagnosis roughly corresponds to Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Many of the patients enrolled in these studies also had coexisting depressive symptoms and buspirone hydrochloride tablets relieved anxiety in the presence of these coexisting depressive symptoms. The patients evaluated in these studies had experienced symptoms for periods of 1 month to over 1 year prior to the study, with an average symptom duration of 6 months. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (300.02) is described in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, III 1 as follows: Generalized, persistent anxiety (of at least 1 month continual duration), manifested by symptoms from three of the four following categories: Motor tension: shakiness, jitteriness, jumpiness, trembling, tension, muscle aches, fatigability, inability to relax, eyelid twitch, furrowed brow, strained face, fidgeting, restlessness, easy startle. Autonomic hyperactivity: sweating, heart pounding or racing, cold, clammy hands, dry mouth, dizziness, lightheadedness, paresthesias (tingling in hands or feet), upset stomach, hot or cold spells, frequent urination, diarrhea, discomfort in the pit of the stomach, lump in the throat, flushing, pallor, high resting pulse and respiration rate. Apprehensive expectation: anxiety, worry, fear, rumination, and anticipation of misfortune to self or others. Vigilance and scanning: hyperattentiveness resulting in distractibility, difficulty in concentrating, insomnia, feeling "on edge," irritability, impatience. The above symptoms would not be due to another mental disorder, such as a depressive disorder or schizophrenia. However, mild depressive symptoms are common in GAD. The effectiveness of buspirone hydrochloride tablets in long-term use, that is, for more than 3 to 4 weeks, has not been demonstrated in controlled trials. There is no body of evidence available that systematically addresses the appropriate duration of treatment for GAD. However, in a study of long-term use, 264 patients were treated with buspirone hydrochloride tablets for 1 year without ill effect. Therefore, the physician who elects to use buspirone hydrochloride tablets for extended periods should periodically reassess the usefulness of the drug for the individual patient.

Buspirone Hydrochloride Tablets, USP 5 mg are available as white to slightly off-white, oval, uncoated tablets, debossed with “349” on one side and a score on the other side. NDC 11788-057-01 Bottles of 100 NDC 11788-057-05 Bottles of 500 Buspirone Hydrochloride Tablets, USP 7.5 mg are available as white to slightly off-white, oval, uncoated tablets, debossed with “350” on one side and a score on the other side. NDC 11788-058-01 Bottles of 100 Buspirone Hydrochloride Tablets, USP 10 mg are available as white to slightly off-white, oval, uncoated tablets, debossed with “351” on one side and a score on the other side. NDC 11788-059-01 Bottles of 100 NDC 11788-059-05 Bottles of 500 Buspirone Hydrochloride Tablets, USP 15 mg are available as white to slightly off-white, rectangular, uncoated tablets, debossed with “3” and “52” with a score in between on one side and two scores on the other side. These tablets are scored to provide 15 mg (entire tablet), 10 mg (two-thirds of a tablet), 7.5 mg (one-half of a tablet) or 5 mg (one-third of a tablet). NDC 11788-060-60 Bottles of 60 NDC 11788-060-01 Bottles of 100 NDC 11788-060-03 Bottles of 180 NDC 11788-060-05 Bottles of 500 Buspirone Hydrochloride Tablets, USP 30 mg are available as white to slightly off-white, rectangular, uncoated tablets, debossed with “3” and “53” with a score in between on one side and two scores on the other side. These tablets are scored to provide 30 mg (entire tablet), 20 mg (two-thirds of a tablet), 15 mg (one-half of a tablet) or 10 mg (one-third of a tablet). NDC 11788-061-60 Bottles of 60 NDC 11788-061-05 Bottles of 500 Store at 20° to 25° C (68° to 77° F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container as defined in the USP, with a child-resistant closure (as required). KEEP THIS AND ALL MEDICATIONS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

Buspirone hydrochloride tablets are contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to buspirone hydrochloride. The use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) intended to treat depression with buspirone or within 14 days of stopping treatment with buspirone is contraindicated because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome and/or elevated blood pressure. The use of buspirone within 14 days of stopping an MAOI intended to treat depression is also contraindicated. Starting buspirone in a patient who is being treated with reversible MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue is also contraindicated because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome (see WARNINGS, DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and DRUG INTERACTIONS ).

The administration of buspirone hydrochloride tablets to a patient taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) may pose a hazard. There have been reports of the occurrence of elevated blood pressure when buspirone hydrochloride has been added to a regimen including an MAOI. Therefore, it is recommended that buspirone hydrochloride tablets not be used concomitantly with an MAOI.

(See also PRECAUTIONS ) Commonly Observed The more commonly observed untoward events associated with the use of buspirone hydrochloride tablets not seen at an equivalent incidence among placebo-treated patients include dizziness, nausea, headache, nervousness, lightheadedness, and excitement.