Buspirone and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• Chu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2022

Buspirone for Anxiety "BuSpar (Buspirone) has been pretty good for me. I've been on pretty much everything and even abused various street drugs before. Of the prescription drugs, I've read a lot of seemingly potential addicts give BuSpar 1s in reviewing it because it's not Xanax. You're right, it's not, but that doesn't discount it. For some of us, it works. I've been on Xanax, and it is stronger, but also has way more side effects, including brain fog, sometimes drowsiness, and definitely has that pull towards it in an addicting way. Buspar is okay at treating anxiety. Sometimes okay is good. If I miss a dose of BuSpar, I honestly don't think 'OMG, I need my dose!' It's seemingly no big deal if you do, and your body and mind don't seem to crave it as much. Sure, it feels good to feel good as drugs can do for you, but sometimes you just want to live and not be a slave to medicine. Because some reviewers were after Xanax doesn't merit giving BuSpar a 1, it works."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 8, 2020

Buspirone for Anxiety "I didn't read all the reviews, but I was surprised to see people with intense reactions to BuSpar. Maybe they took higher doses than I did. I've taken this drug on and off for a few years, and it kind of works - it's hard to explain. I have taken probably 15-20 anxiety and depression meds in the last 10 years, and many have bad side effects. BuSpar had none of those other than drowsiness. The only reason I keep BuSpar around is that it is very mild in my book - the effect is mild, but the side effects are also mild or nonexistent."

• Ins...
• May 15, 2014

Buspirone 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."

• Jun...
• June 15, 2019

Buspirone for Anxiety "BuSpar has changed my life in profound ways. In combination with antidepressants, it has made a huge difference for me. Before BuSpar, I was debilitated by Social Anxiety Disorder. Avoidance, panic attacks, isolation... etc. Without BuSpar, I felt like my whole body was raw all of the time. I started taking BuSpar about 3.5 years ago, and the first thing I noticed was sleepiness. But other than that, no side effects. It took a while to start working, but when it did, I was finally able to feel relaxed in public. The biggest thing is that it sedates the body. It makes me less reactive and slows down my mind. I can see how for some, this can produce a sluggish feeling, but it's exactly what I needed. The sleepiness is not a huge issue anymore. Oh, and I take BuSpar 15 mg three times a day. A major downside is that I have to take it every five hours, but it's seriously like my protective armor."

• Pj2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2019

For Anxiety "I started this medication, buspirone, due to anxiety. I was struggling to leave my house and live my life due to the severity of my anxiety. I started 5 mg twice a day and was told to increase to 10 mg twice a day if need be. The first few days, I had really bizarre dreams and drowsiness. I then started taking my first dose in the morning and my second dose no later than 2 pm. This helped so much with the dreams. I sleep like a baby now. I tried increasing to 10 mg, but the drowsiness was too much. I just take the 5 mg now twice a day at 6 am and 1 pm. I take it with food, and that alleviates the drowsiness. Don’t give up on this med because of the side effects. There are ways to adjust dosing and dosing time to avoid the side effects. This drug has changed my life for the better. I’m not someone who likes to take medications, but this wholeheartedly works!"

• SBa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2021

Buspirone for Anxiety "I won't lie, this medication metronidazole zapped my anxiety. It made it manageable after only a few days on it. I thought this was it, finally. And then it made my life a living nightmare. First, it was fatigue and drowsiness so bad that I couldn't function. Then it was dissociation. Then it was an overall feeling of not being myself. And then, finally, the agitation and on-edge sensation that so many others have reported. I feel like I'm floating, detached, constantly in a fog, and that reality is no longer here. I wake up in panicked jolts, gripping my chest, unable to breathe. I have strange dreams, and that's only when I can sleep. Be wary when on this medication and listen to your body. Yes, in my case, it drastically lessened my anxiety, but the slew of problems that came with it were not worth it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2024

For Anxiety "I started off at 2.5 mg, worked up to 10 mg. Brilliant stuff, calms my brain, goes still. Waiting for ADHD referral. Also, anxiety from trauma. I just weaned off fluoxetine after 20 years and feel great with just these now. Give them a week or two at first. You will feel a bit sedated but it will improve once you get used to them. Side effects: vivid dreams and weight gain."

• Sat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 25, 2024

Buspirone for Anxiety "For me, BuSpar did help me with reducing general anxiety, but not severe or panic attacks. I stopped due to side effects. It made me too drowsy, memory issues, clumsy, and made me extremely hungry, especially if the dose was higher. About 45 minutes after taking, I felt loopy and hungry for like an hour."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2019

For Anxiety "I have tried for 15 years to control my anxiety, but nothing worked. I have been on every benzo, and all they do is put me to sleep. Buspirone has saved me from a life of worrying, being scared to be in public, and I don't think a lot about dying, which has been very scary for me. Have an open mind when you try this med and give yourself time to adjust to the drug. It has made a world of difference in my life and marriage."

• Tea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2022

Buspirone for Anxiety "I have been terrified of driving over high overpasses and bridges my entire life and just accepted it as normal. After adding 5 mg BuSpar twice a day to the 10 mg of Lexapro, I no longer feel crippling anxiety when driving. I actually look forward to driving and being in crowded places, which used to drive my anxiety. It took a couple of months for me to realize it was working since I really don't have any side effects other than slight drowsiness if I take it on an empty stomach. I didn't think it was doing anything until I got behind the wheel one day and noticed I was no longer scared. I'm 49 years old and never knew I could live life without anxiety until BuSpar. I hope it continues to help."

• Try...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 28, 2016

Buspirone for Anxiety "23 male, been taking BuSpar for 3 years now for anxiety/OCD with intrusive thoughts. I originally started with 10 mg 2x a day. Took about 2-3 weeks to take effect, after that, I really noticed a difference in my anxiety and intrusive thoughts. It really helped me get through the day and feel normal. I occasionally still had panic attacks that would eventually pass with drinking a bunch of water and sometimes taking an extra 'helper' dose. Recently switched to 3x a day, still at 10 mg, since the med doesn't seem to last as long as it used to. Still occasionally take a 'helper' dose to fall asleep. Side effects were/still are antsy legs, dizziness, drowsiness, and extreme appetite, all for only about 30 min. Overall better than anti-depressants."

• WSa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 11, 2016

Buspirone for Anxiety "It has done great for me. I used to 'bite my kids' heads off' in the mornings and startle a lot easier, for example. I can also take it in small doses at a time to keep from sleeping all day from the side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2021

Buspirone for Anxiety "This medication was a total nightmare for me. I went from having generalized anxiety to, after taking it for about a week, having MAJOR panic and anxiety 24/7, sleeplessness, moodiness - it was terrible. I had to stop taking it after 2 weeks. While I don’t doubt at all that it does work for some (I read these reviews and remained cautiously optimistic) - it DID NOT work for me. Just goes to show how unique and different brain chemistry is for people."

• Lon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2023

For Anxiety "I’ve been on buspirone for one month, and prior to this, I’ve tried SSRIs, SNRIs, and antipsychotics - all of which created new mental health symptoms unrelated to what I was dealing with. Anyway, I finally went to try another drug for anxiety (I also have BPD, depression, and OCD). During the first month, I had side effects like dizziness, a bit of drowsiness, and a little nausea. Other than that, my symptom relief has been more than I have seen at any other point. My physical symptoms of anxiety, like sweating, shaky voice, stomach pain, and issues because of it are all gone. I will say that I am still a bit foggy, and that’s been, but after testing by not taking it for two days, I found that it was, in fact, working! This may not be a cure for everyone, but if you have had issues or have been treatment-resistant before, I would recommend trying this one out and testing it for yourself. Good luck!!"

• Wac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2017

Buspirone for Anxiety "I used BuSpar 5 mg once every few years. It's very good for me and very mild. I tried double dosage once, and I was groggy. But on 5 mg, I was perfectly normal. When I get my anxiety attack (once every decade or so), my hands shake, can't eat, color of my face goes pale... but immediately after taking BuSpar, I feel much better. Please note that these medications don't work just as well on everybody. The nature of psychotropic medication would work wonders on one person and horribly or not at all on another person. You gotta keep trying until you find something that works for you."

• anx...
• November 7, 2019

For Anxiety "I started taking buspirone in conjunction with my Luvox (which had basically lost all efficacy from my being on it for years). 5 mg 2x per day (10 mg total). WOW. I finally felt 'normal'! Very chilled out, as someone else described - 'It feels like I had a 6-pack and a big meal' - accurate! Before this, I always constantly had looping, obsessive thoughts, but within even just 1 week of taking it, they had calmed down significantly. I can enjoy the small things in life without overthinking too much; I can now choose what I really need to worry about and what is pointless to worry about. I will say, the first few days my anxiety spiked, and I had insomnia and some GI issues. After that, it was fine! In fact, I could finally eat again because all the knots in my stomach had calmed down. The only downside is it can make you a bit drowsy, but if anything, this helps with my anxiety, and I just push through it. Really helped boost my mood!"

• krs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 23, 2015

Buspirone for Anxiety "Took this medication for a few months after being diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. It did work fairly well in decreasing my symptoms of anxiety, but the side effects were just too much to handle. The first time I took it (my doc prescribed me a low dose, I think it was 5 mg if I remember right), I was knocked out in about 30 minutes and slept for 5 hours straight, not to mention this was in the middle of the day. Also caused extreme dizziness that I had a hard time functioning with. I thought the drowsiness, dizziness, and weakness that it caused might subside after taking it for a while, but I took it for about three months, and these side effects still persisted."

• Aan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2019

Buspirone for Anxiety "I was given BuSpar for anxiety. I started taking 5 mg once a day, then I eventually tried to go up to 10 mg a day. NEVER AGAIN. I don’t think it did anything for my anxiety except make it worse. Every time I took the pill, I felt super sedated, and I would fall asleep and then have nightmares. I took it for almost 3 weeks, hoping side effects would pass, but it only got worse. Lightheaded, dizziness, my skin was so itchy I couldn’t hardly stand it. I felt like I wanted to jump out of my skin. I couldn’t go outside and be in the sun because I got hot within 5 seconds and felt sick. I stopped taking it abruptly, I didn’t notice any withdrawal symptoms at all. This med was not for me."

• Sad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2019

For Anxiety "I was battling horrible mood swings, and then my mother died, which made them 10x worse. I begged therapists and doctors to help me medicate, as I had been battling what I believed was bipolar and sensory disorders for years (it was actually a mixture of severe anxiety and mild depression). I finally was put on a combo of Wellbutrin and Buspar, and it has done me wonders. Although I do feel a little sedated and unfocused for about 20 minutes after taking the Buspar, I would trade that over the way I felt before any day. My relationships have improved, and I feel great 99% of the time."

• 40s...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2013

For Anxiety "This is my second day on Buspirone, 10 mg, twice a day (one every 12 hours), and already it has calmed my anxiety tremendously! I plan on continuing with Buspirone on a 'need-to' basis, like when a major event arises in my life. I have obsessive-compulsive disorder with high blood pressure, so when major events occur in my life, my mind runs 80 miles an hour trying to plan and manage everything down to the last detail. Then, I find myself overwhelmed, and I have anxiety attacks simply because I can't do it all by myself! Thanks to Buspirone, I'm calm and collected, and I can think more thoroughly and more effectively. My main side effects so far would be light-headedness and sleepiness, which is way better than anxiety attacks!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2023

For Anxiety "My doctor prescribed 5 mg to take as needed as I was physically feeling symptoms from anxiety for the first time ever. I had never taken an anxiety medicine or anything similar prior. The first time taking it, I was drowsy and rested a lot. The second and third time, I felt a bit more mellow. By the seventh and eighth time (within a two-week span), I had scary thoughts of, “I don’t want to end up in a psych hospital.” It was mentally depressing me and making me feel and think things that were untrue of myself, causing an even worse anxiety. I decided to stop taking that day, and for the next three days, I was dry heaving every day several times a day. It has created a deep fear in me of taking or trying anything more for my anxiety, as those thoughts were so terrifying to me. I didn’t like the way I felt at all."

• Aug...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2022

Buspirone for Anxiety "Thirty minutes after taking a dose, BuSpar gave me brain zaps and tingling in my fingers. It was the same feeling one might have after going off the SNRI Effexor. BuSpar also upset my stomach. It made me feel dizzy, yet drowsy without the ability to sleep. Dosed at 5 mg twice a day. For me, there were no benefits to this medication whatsoever."

• Gec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2020

For Anxiety "Been on 5 mg twice a day. I try to take less. So far, it really helps the anxiety, but the side effects of sleepiness and dizziness. And feeling tired. Will hang in there. Only been 4 days. I also use Holy Mama tincture to help. Will give an update after a few weeks."

• Anonymous
• February 12, 2009

Buspirone for Anxiety "I was put in the hospital with MRSA in my lungs. I was really mentally frustrated and was having withdrawals from morphine. I couldn't sleep and was very ill. This medicine was the greatest thing they could have given me to help me calm down and sleep. I would recommend it, but I will say that it knocked me out cold for the night and I was groggy in the morning. But when I decided to quit taking it, I had no withdrawal symptoms."

• Cyn...
• July 22, 2017

Buspirone for Anxiety "I started taking this medication last Monday and was only on it for 4 days before I had to quit. I had so many of the different side effects of this drug, like lack of appetite, stomach upset, extremely worse anxiety than I had before I started, and extreme drowsiness during the day, but insomnia at night. It was an absolute nightmare for me, but that doesn't mean it wouldn't work for someone else."