Buspirone vs. Xanax

Buspirone

The most common side effects associated with buspirone are:

• dizziness,
• nausea,
• headache, nervousness,
• lightheadedness,
• excitement, and
• insomnia.

Other important but less frequent side effects include

• unsteady gait,
• diarrhea,
• excitement,
• weakness,
• hostility,
• skin rash, and
• tremors.

Xanax

The most common side effects of Xanax taken at lower doses are:

• Drowsiness
• Fatigue

Other side effects include:

• Memory problems
• Speech problems
• Constipation
• Changes in weight
• Addiction (dependency)

Addiction is more likely to occur at high doses given over prolonged periods of time. Abrupt discontinuation of alprazolam after prolonged use can lead to symptoms of withdrawal such as:

• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Lightheadedness
• Sweating
• Anxiety
• Fatigue

Seizures can occur in more severe cases of withdrawal. Consequently, patients on alprazolam for extended periods of time should slowly taper the medication under a doctor's supervision rather than abruptly stopping the medication.

Buspirone

• The usual starting adult dose is 10-15 mg daily given in 2 or 3 doses. The dose may be increased by 5 mg every 2 to 4 days until an effective dose is found.
• The maximum adult dose is 60 mg daily, but most patients respond to 15-30 mg daily.
• Although food increases the amount of buspirone that is absorbed, the importance of this effect is not clear. Buspirone can be taken with or without food but preferably on a consistent basis.

Xanax

• The starting dose for treating anxiety is 0.25-0.5 mg 3 to 4 times daily using immediate release tablets. The dose may be increased every 3-4 days to a maximum dose of 4 mg daily.
• The starting dose for treating panic attacks is 0.5 mg 3 times daily. Doses can be increased every 3-4 days but by no more than 1 mg daily.
• The effective dose for preventing panic attacks may be as high as 10 mg daily for some patients. The starting dose when using extended release tablets to treat panic disorder is 0.5 mg once daily and the average dose is 3-6 mg once daily.
• Alprazolam may be taken with or without food.

Buspirone

• There are no adequate studies of buspirone in pregnant women.
• It is not known if buspirone is secreted in human breast milk. Because buspirone is secreted in the breast milk of animals, however, it should not be used by women who are nursing infants.

Xanax

• Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, can cause fetal abnormalities and should not be used in pregnancy.
• Alprazolam is excreted in breast milk and can affect nursing infants. Therefore, it should not be used by women who are nursing.

• Anxiety Disorder Pictures: Symptoms, Panic Attacks, and More with Pictures

  Learn about generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). See if your worries are normal or something more by learning about symptoms,...

• Depression Myths: Overwork, Recklessness and More in Pictures

  Explore the myths and facts about depression. See how folk remedies and half-truths still prevent many from getting treatment for...

• Anxiety

  Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by symptoms such as trouble concentrating, headaches, sleep problems,...

• Depression

  Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one...

• Bipolar Depression

  Second Source article from WebMD...

• Depression

  Second Source article from WebMD...

• Anxiety

  Second Source article from WebMD...

• Depression Treatment Options

  Second Source article from WebMD...

• Depression

  Second Source article from Government...

• Holiday Depression, Anxiety, and Stress

  Though the holidays are a fun time for most, for others, they're a sad, lonely and anxiety-filled time. Get tips on how to avoid...

• Anxiety: Coping With Anxiety
• Anxiety: The Secret Social Phobia
• Anxiety: Beyond Depression