Buspirone
Buspirone, sold under the brand name Buspar, among others, is an anxiolytic, a medication primarily used to treat anxiety disorders, particularly generalized anxiety disorder. It is a serotonin 5-HT1A receptor agonist, increasing action at serotonin receptors in the brain. It is taken orally, and takes two to six weeks to be fully effective.
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| Pronunciation | /ˈbjuːspɪroʊn/ (BEW-spi-rohn) |
| Trade names | Buspar, Namanspin |
| Other names | MJ 9022-1 |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a688005 |
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| Routes of administration | By mouth |
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| Bioavailability | 3.9% |
| Protein binding | 86–95% |
| Metabolism | Liver (via CYP3A4) |
| Metabolites | 5-OH-Buspirone; 6-OH-Buspirone; 8-OH-Buspirone; 1-PP |
| Elimination half-life | 2.5 hours |
| Excretion | Urine: 29–63% Feces: 18–38% |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.048.232 |
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| Formula | C21H31N5O2 |
| Molar mass | 385.512 g·mol−1 |
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Common side effects of buspirone include nausea, headaches, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. Serious side effects may include movement disorders, serotonin syndrome, and seizures. Its use in pregnancy appears to be safe but has not been well studied, and use during breastfeeding has not been well studied.
Buspirone was developed in 1968 and approved for medical use in the United States in 1986. It is available as a generic medication. In 2021, it was the 53rd most-commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 12 million prescriptions.