Buspirone is an FDA-approved medication that is used for treating the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It helps manage the symptoms of anxiety by alleviating them. The function of these medicines is to regulate the hormones that control your mood. Anxiety disorders are a result of chemical imbalances in the brain. These chemicals are the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. When they go out of balance, the mood gets highly impacted and this gives rise to mood disorders and anxiety disorders.
The medicine is also used to provide relief from fear, tension, jittery feelings, pounding heartbeat, dizziness, irritability, and several other problems. The medicine works by balancing the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. It increases relaxation and offers short-term relief against anxiety and worries.
These medicines are available in the form of tablets. The appropriate dose for you will be decided by your healthcare provider based on your need and you should take the medications as directed by them. Do not stop using them without asking your healthcare provider first and never take more or less dose than the recommended one.
Buspirone side effects
The use of this medicine can lead to some common side effects, which are – Headache, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, excitement, fatigue, nervousness, insomnia, agitation, feelings of hostility, weakness, numbness, lightheadedness, and excessive sweating.
In some people, the effects of the medicine can also lead to some serious side effects such as swelling in the face, tongue, mouth, eyes, or lips, skin rash, hives, itching, vision-related problems, irregular heartbeat, shivering, seizures, hallucinations, stiffness in muscles, and twitching.
Those who experience the common symptoms shall recover soon, as they remain until the effects are medicine are active in the bloodstream. These side effects disappear on their own. But if they stay for too long until it becomes bothersome, then you must see your healthcare provider.
Besides, the possibility of serious side effects is low, but if at all you experience any of these, then you must see your healthcare provider immediately. Ignoring such serious side effects can lead to its exacerbation.
Buspirone and erectile dysfunction
The side effects of medicine impact every individual in a different way. Some might experience mild symptoms of side effects, while others might develop severe side effects. The effects of this medicine can give rise to sexual dysfunction in some individuals. The symptoms of sexual dysfunction that one might experience include a decrease in sex drive or libido and erectile
dysfunction (ED). There is a lack of evidence that these medicines lead to erectile dysfunction. One cannot arrive at any conclusion due to the limited evidence and research in this regard.
According to some sources, these medicines can counter SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction. SSRIs are antidepressant drugs that can sometimes cause sexual dysfunction. In such cases, Buspirone can be used to alleviate the symptoms of sexual dysfunction by boosting the sex drive or libido and alleviating the difficulties of erection function.
Hence, the results are mixed, because some sources claim that these medicines can contribute to sexual dysfunction, contrary to that, according to the claims made by other sources, these medicines can be beneficial for relieving the symptoms of sexual dysfunction in those individuals who are already using SSRI drugs. Therefore, it is better to talk to your healthcare provider regarding the impacts of the medicine on sexual function.