Buspirone

What it is

Buspirone is an anti-anxiety medicine that works mainly as a partial agonist at serotonin 5-HT1A receptors, dampening anxious arousal without acting on the same pathway as benzodiazepines. It is prescription-only and is used for generalised anxiety. It is not a sedative and is not intended for use at the moment of a panic surge.

Used for

• Anxiety

What to know while taking it

It can be taken with or without food, though keeping the same pattern each day makes absorption more even. The effect builds gradually over weeks rather than hours, so an early absence of benefit is expected and is not a sign that the medicine has failed. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice raise blood levels of buspirone by blocking the enzyme that clears it, so they are best left out entirely while it is being taken.

When to see a doctor

Anxiety that worsens, new agitation or restlessness, or the appearance of dizziness and confusion after adding another medicine are reasons to see a doctor rather than adjust things alone. The same applies if several weeks pass with no change at all.

Worth knowing

• Takes weeks to work
• Avoid grapefruit