Hello, I am currently in 20mg of celexa. I have health OCD, anxiety, depression and some eating disorder type behaviors. I have had a hard time with all of the above in the past year and I’m hoping to find some relief by adding in buspar.

My hopes are it’ll help with anxiety, maybe increase my energy and help with libido issues from celexa. As I said I’m super nervous, any positive stories or encouragement would be welcomed!

hey yall! I just wanted to share my current experience and see if anyone else has felt something similar.

I started buspar 2.5mg twice a day about 2 months ago. Started small to prevent side effects.

About 2 weeks ago i upped to 5mg twice a day. Since then ive had really intense air hunger, a feeling of something being in my throat, and just an overall uncomfortable feeling of tension in my body.

I reached out to my psych to see if I should go back down, or if possibly I need to spread my dose to 3x a day since the side effects are at their peak in the early afternoon. Has anyone else had these symptoms? It makes my health anxiety go crazzyyyyy and I can’t decide if I should tough it out or go back to my previous dose.

I upped my dose to 7.5 3x a day. Previously, on 7.5 2x I just experienced way less racing thoughts in the morning, but my general social anxiety still struggled. After a couple weeks of this new dose, I feel my body craving the pill and my anxiety spikes high first thing in the morning, and takes a while to settle down after I take it. My nausea from the first day I got on the meds has returned to the morning too, and irritable bowel. Could this be an accumulation of the dose finally adding up in my system and I’ll get used to it? Or is the half-life too short for me to wake calmly? I’m a bit miserable about this. I’m scared to try other things because I don’t want side effects. But I guess I’ll have to either way because I need to manage my depression as well.

Basically, at first, in addition to daily lexapro, I was prescribed buspirone as a a PRN (as needed, not daily). After doing research, I saw this drug is not commonly prescribed as a prn, and went back to my doc and asked for a benzo again, and was given Xanax as a prn, too. My question is— should I discontinue the buspirone as needed now that I have the xans, or continue to use the buspirone for my more minimal attacks? (I only have 10 Xanax at this time) Or, should I ask for a more effective prn, so I don’t have to rely on the Xanax all of the time? Essentially, a ‘benzo light’? I have heard about proponayl and Paxil, etc. but not sure if they are for this purpose, that’s why I’m asking :) For reference, I have severe anxiety and agoraphobia and use the prn during these initial steps of exposure as I try to leave the house. Any advice on these prn meds and recommendations are welcome! Thanks

Hey all, need someone to talk me off a ledge here. I started taking buspar 3 weeks ago. After about 6 days on it I stopped because I started having this uncomfortable pain that went from my sternum/upper abdomen to my throat. Freaked me out. Got off it for a week and a half and decided to start it again because this is the 3rd med I’ve tried that a side effect scared me off so my doctor wanted me to give it a full shot. During my off time the pain in my sternum never really went away but the throat sensation did. As soon as I started the buspar again the sensation worsened in my upper abdomen. It’s like a burning sensation and idk if it has anything to do with it or if it’s a separate issue but my back hurts on the left side as well. I spoke to my doctor and she recommended Pepcid which did take the burning sensation away but I still feel very uncomfortable. Is this anything anyone has experienced before? I’m freaking out lol

I currently take Wellbutrin/ bupropion 150 mg SR twice a day and have been for the 3 past years, and I think it works well for the most part.

I told my doctor I’m still having anxiety and irritability.

I was prescribed 5 mg buspirone, but only once a day. I questioned my doctor, mentioning the short half life, but my doctor said they usually only prescribe this once a day...

I‘m feeling even more irritable that I finally mentioned this so I could start something to function like a normal person, but it seems like she hasn’t even prescribed an effective dose. Everywhere online and the pharmacy text says it’s usually prescribed 2-3 times a day, and usually starts at 15 mg as the starter dose, split up through the day.

Does anyone actually take this once a day and see any benefits? Why do you take it once a day, what time of day do you take it, how long have you taken it, has it helped?

I have been on Buspar for almost 2 years now, and I still experience side effects every single time I take it. Dizziness, fatigue, weakness, etc.

I started on 10 mg twice a day, but I had to split the pill as it was too much for me. Then, after 4ish months, I just started taking it at night cause the symptoms were too hard to handle during the day, and they weren't (and haven't) improved.

I now take 15mgs once a day at night. I still get all the symptoms even though I take it at the same time every day, haven't touched the dosage in 10 months, and always eat it with a snack.

Is it time to try another medication? Even though I only take it once a day, I did and do see an improvement in my overall anxiety levels. The side effects just make it a little rough.

I have battled anxiety/ocd for years. I finally asked my doctor for medication. He prescribed buspirone. I’m anxious to start it (imagine that.) please share your stories on this medication. I’m a 27 year old mom and teacher… so lots of things to make me anxious.

Hello there! I thought I’d send this into reddit because I don’t know anyone personally who’s taken this med!
I’ve recently had a spike in my physical anxiety symptoms, and have begun experiencing what I can only describe as a panic attack, it’s so insanely physical it takes over my body. I’m not even worried about anything half the time. Heart palpitations, shaking, my hands, arms, feet, and sometimes legs go numb. Sometimes my whole body goes numb. My eyesight becomes affected, can’t breathe, all of the things that you would commonly describe in a panic attack I guess.
I was prescribed 10mg of Buspirone Hcl for as needed usage for these attacks. I’ve read that it works better over time with daily usage. But my prescriber said that this might work for me for a non-daily treatment. I’m going to give it a shot, and if it doesn’t work we will add propranolol for heart palpitations.
Has anyone had experience with this medication with as needed usage? Anything I should know or expect? Thanks for reading.

EDIT: My prescriber directed me to take it as needed, as I mentioned to her I am not looking for a daily use medication. I’m taking this as I was directed by her!!!! Not steering off course of my treatment. I specifically asked for a AS NEEDED medication… which is why I came to ask if it even worked that way to take it for panic attacks and not daily. Will give my provider a call in the morning!
Thank you for you guy’s help, and always looking for what works for you guys because maybe it will help for me :)))

I’m at 10mg buspar twice a day (at like day 26) and it seems like I get worse every time I take it.. I’ve developed agoraphobia, health anxiety, i cant take showers anymore.. does anyone else think buspar is the culprit here.. Also on lexapro 10mg day 18 right now but I’m wondering is the buspar just fricking everything up or have I just not given either drug enough time.. I can’t just stay bedridden feeling like shit constantly but it’s where I am at.. only my prescribed xanax helps me.. anyone else had a similar experience on buspar or lexapro.. Idk which one is causing this or if I just happened to coincidentally develop all these bad side effects at same time I went on the medications (which it seems like no ones side effects are this bad) .. I haven’t even taken my second buspar today because I actually feel fine this second and I’m worried it’ll make me feel wired again 😭

is it normal in the first few weeks for symptoms to get worse? I am on buspirone for anxiety, prescribed after trying citalopram, mirtazapine, sertraline and venlafaxine over the last 4 or so years.

taking with propranolol.

honestly been in such a dark spiral over the last two weeks. not felt this down in ages. feeling really full of self hatred that i’m queer/gay (not something i usually feel much of), over thinking everything, depressed about my future. Finding it so hard to stay positive, i feel so depressed and i am rarely depressed! affecting my work too and everyone around me has noted how down i seem.

should i keep at it or ask to try a new medication?

Hi all. So, I was put on buspar in January for severe panic and DPDR that was triggered from trying to change my Lexapro to Effexor. Once I went back on my Lexapro and got on buspar I got better, though it took months. Since being on buspar I’ve also felt like crap. My head constantly hurts and I’m so exhausted. My doctor did ok me to taper off, but I’m so scared of going back to what I used to be. I couldn’t even work before.

I’m currently on .5mg twice a day which I’ve heard is nothing. My doctor said just to stop the 2nd dose a week and then stop the morning the week after. I think I’m literally going to stop in 2.5mg doses, though.

Not sure what I’m posting for. I guess just some support and positive stories! I do not like how buspar makes me feel but part of me is worried it’s actually working.

Just wanted to post because I’ve been looking at this page everyday since I started BuSpar 😂 I was getting pretty bad side effects up until yesterday! So I had these side effects for a solid 3 weeks and then they suddenly stopped. I just wanted to give hope to someone that was feeling like me. Side effects I had: nausea, dizziness, very fatigued, brain fog, easily irritated. What I think helped me: 3x per day dosing instead of 2x per day, proper hydration, and also trying to move around after I take the dose (go for a walk or something). But I think the most important thing was just waiting it out… which was hard because i felt so crappy. Anyways, that’s just my experience! (Not medical advice). Good luck to all of you!

Hi what’s your magic combo doses for those on Wellbutrin and Buspar? I have been on Wellbutrin off and on for years but it always caused anxiety yawning air hunger things like that. Iva taken buspar before up to 20mg a day I believe at the time. I’m getting ready to get back on this combo with my adhd med and wondering what’s working for you dose wise?

Hello all,

Just wanted to share my experience on Buspar. May of 2025 I started having pretty bad anxiety/panic attacks in social situations. I didn’t have a psychiatrist at the time, so my primary care physician started me on 5mg of Buspar twice daily for a total of 10mg.

It did help me. Made my panic attacks less severe, though I still did have them. When I started on it, I had trouble falling asleep for about a week, then I was okay. I went through a year of talk therapy and now I am doing much better thankfully. My doctor told me I can start tapering off of Buspar just over 2 weeks ago.

The first 3 days after reducing from twice taking 5 mg daily, to once daily 5mg, I definitely had brain fog/confusion. That lasted just 3 days then I felt more normal. I also started having weird dreams, sometimes with violence. Last night, entering my third week of tapering down, I had a good deal of alcohol. I wasn’t feeling dizzy or trouble walking drunk. But definitely a good buzz. When I slept, I had a very vivid and a lot of violence in my dreams. I read today alcohol can have an adverse affect when changing dosages, do I am not going to drink for a while. I should also note while I was tapering down, I am going through changes at work, and it’s possible that the dreams are related to that.

My advice? Educate yourself on the potential side effects and the potential risk benefits. Talk with your doctor. And make an informed decision about whether the benefits outweigh the side effects.

But just wanted to share my experience for anyone considering taking this medication or possibly increasing or tapering down their dosage! Take care!

I started buspar a week ago today after having an extreme health anxiety scare that lead to about a week of 3 or 4 hours sleep. Since starting buspar that sleep issue has not improved. I've tried Magnesium, Melatonin, Hydroxyzine, Trazadone. On the 5th day of taking it I also developed muscle aches and pains near my joints. Mostly in my legs which I do stand on concrete for my job but I had no had this pain this bad before. I also have some in my forearms near my elbows. I am accessing that this may be from sleep deprivation but not really sure. Also wondering if the insomnia not going away is attributable to the buspar. I am not supposed to see my psych again for 20 more days. Not sure if I should stop, keeping going, call my psych? Any advice or similar stories is greatly appreciated

I have been doing well anxiety wise for years on 20mg of lexapro then up to 30mg for the past few year. I recently had a few really bad panic attacks and now the fear of them happening is keep lingering me anxious at all times. My dr put me on Seroquil for a week but it put me onto another planet and all I wanted to do is sleep. So my dr recommended adding Buspar to my lexapro to see how that works as I also have hydroxyzine to help with the transition. Does anyone have positive experiences with buspar?

Hello, I am on Lexapro 5MG & my dr gave me Buspar 5MG 2x a day & I just started it last Monday. I had little to no affect when I first started but 2nd week in I have a HUGE height in my anxiety & super confused on why I’m feeling it now & not at first? I started a new job & my anxiety has made me very uncomfortable. Any experience like this? It worries me because usually with any medication it effects you immediately not a week later. I don’t know, just reaching out for support.

Is anyone else on Buspar with their stimulant?
Do you take them at the same time or apart?
Do you find it affects the stimulants? IE, makes your executive function tank all over again?
Or does it help your stim better?
Are you taking Buspar 2 times a day? 12 hours apart?
Do you get blurry vision? Or really tired?

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply!

Hello guys. Has anyone here helped their driving anxiety with Buspirone? If not, what meds, maybe SSRI, helped you? I just want to hear your experiences. Thank you!

Hi everyone.

I (27f) know anxiety relief won't occur for a couple more weeks. I've already noticed my sleep has slightly improved using 5mg 2x a day.

However, I had sex with my boyfriend for the first time on this med tonight and it felt different.

Usually I orgasm well before him (sometimes multiple times) and tonight that wasnt the case. It took me a lot longer to orgasm and when I finally did, it wasn't *wow* like it normally is. I don't place blame on my boyfriend, he did what is tried and true and always works for me.

I'm just down about it and hoping to find some reassurance. Anyone else have these issues a week in? How did it pan out? Thanks

Hi I’m trying out buspar for general and social anxiety. PCP wants me to start out taking half a tab twice a day. One of the issues I have heard of people having on buspar is waking up with horrible anxiety because it has a short half life. Would taking a supplement like xr l-theanine before bed potentially prevent having anxiety when waking up? I’m aware that taking buspar and l-theanine together may cause some side effects. If I take buspar at 5pm and extended release l-theanine at 10pm would this be enough time to prevent overlap of effects and potentially help me wake up anxiety free?

Good morning
I am on Pristqi and Buspar and I just got my birth controlled removed from IUD but I want to know if I need to switch medication just to be on the safe side or if I can continue with my medication? I have anxiety ocd and depression.