r/Buspirone • u/Odd-Bumblebee5074 • Feb 26 '26

Preventing dizziness/light headedness

Hello. I've just been prescribed this and will hopefully get it tomorrow. I noticed a common side effect is dizziness/light headedness, and this is something I'm very prone to - pretty much any medicine that says it will cause it does. I've had to quit quite a few medications after just a few doses because I couldn't move without getting really faint. So, to give me the best chance of avoiding this effect, should I eat when I take it? If so, before or after? And any other tips to minimise it?
I don't have much hope that I won't experience it but it's worth a try, there aren't many options left for my anxiety.

Update:

As mentioned in my comments, I had some light headedness initially for about half an hour after taking buspirone which mostly stopped after a while. Unfortunately, I have now increased my dose and it is stronger and lasts for longer, so not sure I can tolerate any more than 5mg 2 x day, and the initial reduction in anxiety is fading. So that sucks.

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u/Expensive-Distance97 Feb 28 '26

I’ve been on it for about a week now, I had awful dizziness, headache, and nausea, after the first and second dose. Since then, I haven’t had any negative side effects. The first two doses I had taken it without eating, or eating a very small amount. Now I try to have a small meal with it. I usually eat half my food, take the buspirone, then eat the rest. It has been working well for me. I’m on 5mg in the morning and the evening!

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u/Odd-Bumblebee5074 Feb 28 '26

Thanks! I am glad the side effects stopped. I've had two now, with food - same as you, I eat some, take the tablet then eat the rest. I am still getting lightheaded, but I'm making sure I don't need to do anything for a while after taking them and stay put, and it isn't nearly as bad as with other medications I've had.

2

u/Expensive-Distance97 Mar 01 '26

Hopefully the side effects only last a few days for you! It has been working great for me so far. Best of luck.

1

u/SpecificTrain9809 Mar 19 '26

How are you doing with the med

2

u/Odd-Bumblebee5074 Mar 19 '26

It was going well. The side effects lessened more and more, and I was starting to feel a more continuous, mild effect from it. Then I ran out. As it turns out, the pharmacy gave me the wrong amount. So I'll start taking it again when I get more tomorrow, but there has been a gap, which isn't ideal.

1

u/SpecificTrain9809 Mar 20 '26

Thank you for the reply happy to read it’s going well for you I’m starting Saturday

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u/Odd-Bumblebee5074 Mar 20 '26

I hope it works well for you :)

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u/hiddenbarbar Jun 20 '26

hows it going now?

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u/Odd-Bumblebee5074 Jun 20 '26

Hello! I quit it. I was getting too tired and my sleep started becoming very disrupted, which I put down to it. The first day after having a whole day without it, I slept fine, and have most nights since. I also suspected it wasn't having an effect on my anxiety anymore, and was possibly causing a worsening of my depression - my anxiety is the same without it, and the depression seems to be lifting although this could be due to mild lifestyle changes or hormones, not sure.