BuSpar and Nausea: What Users Say

• Tha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2021

For Anxiety "After reading some of these reviews I was terrified to start taking buspirone. I've had pretty severe anxiety for the last year, and I've previously tried Zoloft (terrible) and clonazepam (works but puts me straight to sleep, so doesn't work for most daytime/work situations). I started on 5mg and took it at night. I woke up the next morning after some pretty crazy dreams, and my brain fog was completely gone. I felt calm. It's been 7 days so far, and I finally feel like my old self again. There have been some side effects - mostly nausea, lightheadedness/dizziness but super mild and honestly compared to those same side effects that I have from anxiety, they are bearable. I would definitely recommend this medication! It's changed my life. I was starting to think I would never feel normal again. Most important is to remember that not every medication works with every body. If this doesn't work, there are other options out there! Don't despair."

• bst...
• December 4, 2014

For Anxiety "I'm on week 7. I thought I would wait until the effects kicked in to write a review. Regarding the side effects, mild nausea and lethargy for a short while after taking the medication, nothing to avoid taking the pill for. As for the results, very mild, but I notice a difference. I speak more clearly and confidently to people, and I am overall less anxious. One big thing, my constant worry about my health has subsided. I am 31 and live a healthy life, but I get a stomach ache and think I have colon cancer. These thoughts I laugh at now. I recommend taking this. Only 8 stars because it is not a cure all, only you can be."

• boo...
• December 13, 2013

For Anxiety "I have generalized anxiety and panic disorder. I have had it since I was a teenager. In the past, I took Xanax as needed, but it sometimes made me depressed, and I worried about developing a tolerance or addiction. After less than a month on BuSpar, I have already seen a major improvement. I ruminate less, my body is less tense, I am considerably less fearful (which is saying a lot because I was becoming fearful of leaving the house), I am able to tolerate stressors in a rational way, and I am no longer depressed. What remains of my anxiety is manageable, and it no longer interferes with my life. I started on 10mg, and after a couple of weeks, I increased to 15mg. I experienced insomnia the first couple of days, but that went away. Take with food for nausea."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2018

For Panic Disorder "I was initially started on BuSpar 5mg twice a day for panic disorder and PTSD as my therapist said I could not stay on Klonopin at her practice. I tried the 5mg twice a day for 2 weeks, then she increased it to 10mg twice a day, which I took for a month. I ended up with severe heart palpitations, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, and feeling like I was going to pass out, in addition to my blood pressure being raised. I ended up on a heart monitor, seeing a cardiologist, in addition to other heart-related tests all because my therapist is dead set on taking me off Klonopin. I've been on 1mg of Klonopin since 2008 and take it only as needed, mostly once a panic attack begins. I will never take BuSpar again, as I have been off of it now for about a week after all those symptoms and they are almost all gone now. Just wanted to share some of my side effects in case anyone else out there is having the same because I had a difficult time finding someone with the same side effects."

• Ins...
• May 15, 2014

For Panic Disorder "I have only been taking BuSpar for about a month, but I have seen a rapid turnaround in my anxiety. I am not cured, I still get panicked from time to time, but I am now able to deal with my worries without getting lost in them. I used to go about life in a sort of depersonalized haze, but the medication has worked in bringing me back to reality. As for side effects, I think it is safe to say that I got them all in the first couple of weeks: nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, slight depression, etc. However, it was nothing that was too bad. As I continued to take it, the side effects decreased. Furthermore, the benefits that I have obtained from it far outweighed any complaints that I might have had. I would suggest trying it for anxiety."

• Anonymous
• August 8, 2009

For Anxiety "I've got generalized anxiety disorder. BuSpar turns off the worrying like a switch. The only downside was the first dose, 15mg was too much. I had weird side effects, if I looked at a light source, I'd feel unspeakably strange pulses of something that felt like electricity go through my body. I also got motion sick and vomited after the first dose. Luckily, this only happened once. After reducing the dose to 5mg (q.i.d.), I had no more side effects. My advice to the uninitiated would be to start with a small dose and titrate upwards to avoid any surprises."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2020

For Anxiety "BuSpar should be classified as a hallucinogenic drug! I took it for one day (15 mg) with Zoloft to get off Ativan. It made me lightheaded, nauseous, nervous, speedy, and when I tried to sleep, I saw terrible images moving around in my head. I couldn't sleep at all! These awful hallucinations gave me panic attacks. I was so scared! I also had some uncontrolled jerky movements of my limbs when lying down. I called the nurse line for help because I could not reach my psychiatrist. This experience was a nightmare! I also read an FDA report that stated that BuSpar can cause Tardive Dyskinesia, uncontrolled involuntary jerking movements of the face and body. Who wants that? Do not take it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 9, 2019

For Anxiety "Tried many different antidepressants over several years, and none of them worked. A new doctor prescribed BuSpar, and I’m so thankful! It works really well. I feel like a different person with a lot less anxiety bogging me down. I have been taking it for 2 weeks. My only negative is that I was originally prescribed 10 mg twice a day, and at around 3 PM every day, I felt drained. I told my doctor, and she added a dose in the afternoon. It has a short half-life, so as a result, you do feel it wear off. It has been a miraculous change! I’m very pleased!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 19, 2016

For Anxiety "I have been taking BuSpar for 4 months now and it has helped pretty well for my anxiety. I take 3 10mg a day. I mostly like it because it helps with the extra anxiety and slight depression I get from the comedown off of my Adderall I take for ADHD every day too. The only side effect I've had from the BuSpar has been nausea, but as long as I eat a little bit of food whenever I take them, it subsides pretty well so I would recommend it to anyone with the same situation."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2023

For Anxiety "Started slowly on BuSpar, 5 mg morning and 5 mg nights. After a few weeks, went to 10 mg morning and 10 mg a night. By the time I had increased to 20 mg a day, I wasn't sleeping much at all. My anxiety doubled. Tingling, tight chest, odd breathing, nausea, shaky, crying, and more. Ended up back at the doctor, with elevated blood pressure (never have had that), and all the other side effects, and he took me off it completely cold turkey. I could not recommend this. Also, during the 6 weeks I was on it, I didn't feel ANY relief whatsoever from my anxiety. Actually, I think it made it way worse. I was so hoping it would work, but not for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2013

For Anxiety "I'm 31-year-old female, and have been taking BuSpar for anxiety and panic for three months, and have decided to discontinue. It took roughly 3 weeks before I noticed a difference. I am slower to irritate, less agitated, and can better manage the constant nagging sensation of anxiety. I've been sleeping better, but really require a full night's sleep or else I'm drowsy all day. And I've been more at ease with new people. These changes have certainly been positive but minimal. Lately, every day, 2 times a day about 20 minutes after my dose (10mg twice a day) I would get a ringing headache, body shocks, and dizziness or nausea. I thought this would go away, but it hasn't, and it is getting to the point that my anxiety level is increasing."

• Sha...
• April 18, 2015

For Anxiety "First off. Side effects... Brain zaps. Pounding heart, foggy feeling. First 3 weeks I felt the need for a lot less Ativan. The worry stopped, and blood pressure came down. I'm on 5mg per day. Around week 5, I started to notice my blood pressure going back up. Acid reflux and a little nausea. Pounding heart back. I don't want to give up on BuSpar because I was so happy to lose the everyday worry. On week 7 now. Still at 5mg. Thinking about doing 5mg twice a day. There is no magic pill, but this was close."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2019

For Anxiety "The side effects of BuSpar for me were worse sleep, anger, weight gain, and tiredness. My anxiety got worse, I had an erratic heartbeat, and it made my eyes feel really weird. This drug made me completely dysfunctional, exhausted, nauseous, and also out of it. So distracted, and it made my ADD worse."

• Rob...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 9, 2022

For Anxiety "Unfortunately, nothing works for my anxiety except benzodiazepines, but those are controlled and have a bad rep for being abused and sold on the streets. So now I’m on Vraylar, Pristiq, Wellbutrin, Trileptal, BuSpar, and gabapentin instead of just benzos. I’m on expensive maintenance drugs, which have caused me to gain weight, get acne, develop tremors, brain zaps, headaches, and nausea. Thanks, doc, for drugging me up really good."

• Sha...
• September 21, 2017

For Anxiety "My doctor prescribed BuSpar 5 mg 3x daily as I eased off Effexor. The Effexor worked great, except for the sexual side effects and the hardcore addiction. I have nothing good to say about BuSpar. I thought I was losing my mind. Felt severely unbalanced. Nauseated. Confused. Thirsty. Insomnia. You name it! My endocrinologist thought I might be diabetic because of family history. No, it was all the BuSpar. Why should something that is supposed to help generalized anxiety make you feel like you are losing it? I ended up slowly getting off of Effexor and pitching the BuSpar. I need something for generalized anxiety, but I am scared of another bad trip."

• Dsm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2021

For Anxiety "This was a mistake. Was prescribed this for mild anxiety. Took 10 mg a day for 17 days. The side effects were terrible! Dizziness, nausea, chest pain, increased heart rate, insomnia, fatigue, and more. Have been off 3 weeks and still struggling with withdrawal effects."

• Sti...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2016

For Anxiety "It didn't help at all with the panic attacks and actually made my anxiety worse. The first few weeks, it would just put me to sleep. After four weeks, I became very depressed and had suicidal thoughts constantly throughout the day. It gave me horrible headaches, it made me really dizzy all the time, and I felt lightheaded and nauseous often. After four weeks, I could not sleep at all, and my anxiety increased along with the panic attacks. I don't recommend this medicine for anyone who has suffered PTSD or who has had high anxiety levels for a long time. It just makes things worse. After five weeks, I stopped taking this medication, I could no longer handle the side effects."

• Anonymous
• July 23, 2011

For Anxiety "I tried a lot of the SSRIs and SNRIs medications: Lexapro, Effexor, Celexa, Wellbutrin, Pristiq, and Paxil. Lexapro and Effexor gave me monster insomnia, I could not sleep at all. Wellbutrin made me pass out, and the other two did nothing for me. Finally, my doctor put me on BuSpar 7.5 two times a day. It did make me nauseated, but it says to take it on a full stomach, which I took on an empty stomach. After I followed the directions, I didn't have any more issues. No side effects, and my libido has increased (my wife is happy). I really have no more issues with anxiety anymore, I can now go to dinner and the grocery store without any problems."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2022

For Anxiety "I started this drug at 10 mg TID after being on Wellbutrin for 2 years for anxiety and losing effectiveness. I felt fine the first two days, but on day three, I felt very nauseous, dizzy, loss of appetite, and just overall 'off.' On the fourth day, I had the worst panic attack I've ever had, and I haven't had a panic attack in over 5 years. I had full body tremors, palpitations, confusion/difficulty concentrating, unable to focus, photophobia for over 3 hours following the attack, and it happened again the next morning after I hadn't taken the drug in over 12 hours. I will never take this again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2025

For Anxiety "I don’t like medication but reached a point where I had to be honest with myself and try something new—I’m so glad I did. The first week was rough with nausea, anxiety, dizziness, insomnia, and wild dreams, but I pushed through, and it was worth it. Now, a month in, I feel so much less anxious, happier, and more confident. I do get excitable with scattered thoughts, but once I focus, I get locked in. That scattered feeling is improving as I adjust. Mild shortness of breath and insomnia (if taken late) are the only side effects. Therapy and exercise enhance the benefits. BuSpar doesn’t feel overwhelming or drugged—it’s subtle, and I just feel great and more in control. I’m sticking with it—totally worth trying!"

• Its...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2015

For Anxiety "I have looked up the research regarding weight loss or loss of appetite while on BuSpar, and it seems as though more people gain weight or have an increased appetite. Has anyone experienced weight loss or loss of appetite? Maybe it's nausea (though I don't necessarily feel 'nauseous'), but I have no appetite - at all. As far as the effectiveness on my anxiety - I feel good, almost 'normal', if you will. Nothing like taking BuSpar for anxiety (mostly health anxiety) to have it make me think something is wrong because I have no appetite. However, the thought of 'something is wrong' is fleeting since BuSpar. Wondering if anyone has had loss of appetite or weight loss. - Hoping you have an anxiety-free day."

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2021

For Anxiety "I was prescribed this drug to help my anxiety through a job change. DO NOT take this drug! It doubled my anxiety, insomnia to the point that I hadn't slept in 3 nights, caused jerking motions that would wake me up when I did actually fall asleep, nauseous, absolutely no appetite, feelings of complete depression and hopelessness."

• chu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2012

For Anxiety "When taking the medicine, the first few hours my entire body would have random 'tingles', I would experience vertigo, become dizzy, and be nauseous. I took BuSpar / buspirone for about 3 weeks and quit after these effects, plus decreased sex drive."

• All...
• June 16, 2013

For Anxiety "I have recurring bouts with severe anxiety. Six weeks ago, I was put on 30 mg of BuSpar to be taken in the morning and at night. I got 'brain zaps' (similar to Paxil withdrawal) and nausea lasting about an hour after I took the medication. True to most other medicines for anxiety, I felt as though, overall, my level of anxiety increased over the first 2 weeks, although I would have periods where I was not anxious. After 2 weeks, the doctor raised my dose to 60 mg. I found it best to take 4 times a day because I definitely feel it wear off. While this has taken my overall anxiety from a 9 to a 7, it is still not enough."

• Anonymous
• August 21, 2009

For Anxiety "I wish I could say that BuSpar helped me. I was really hoping that I would have the same experience as some of the individuals here. I think the BuSpar actually made my anxiety worse. However, I didn't feel any side effects until I took it for about 2 weeks. I had dizziness and fatigue that many have commented on, but also the less common side effects like gastrointestinal problems, nausea, confusion, and lack of concentration. I had to stop taking it because it was impairing me so badly. I hope that this medication works for others, but it, unfortunately, did not for me."