Buspirone Hydrochloride

openFDA label record#

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Brand name
Buspirone Hydrochloride
Generic name
BUSPIRONE HYDROCHLORIDE
Manufacturer
NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc.
Product type
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
SPL set ID
fbd7f3fa-11f8-a319-e053-6294a90acae4
SPL ID
2d53e84a-506a-e4c8-e063-6294a90a3f8d
Version
2
Effective date
2025-02-04
Source export date
2026-08-01
Source partition
8
Source file
https://download.open.fda.gov/drug/label/drug-label-0008-of-0014.json.zip
Source object key
raw/openfda/drug-label/2026-08-01/206e0852f7011b53c21719ec5c68ac6752381d0fcd1d348f7428adad64429e89/drug-label-0008-of-0014.json.zip
Source manifest SHA-256
bdd1454d0606b622b70458a306b8a10d8a8787db06fd9f46e69c7f7a4524b630
Import run
20260801T225920Z
Imported at
2026-08-01 23:18:21
Harmonized routes table
Harmonized routes
ORAL

Warnings cross-check#

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warnings

WARNINGS The administration of buspirone hydrochloride to a patient taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) may pose a hazard. There have been reports of the occurrence of elevated blood pressure when buspirone hydrochloride has been added to a regimen including an MAOI. Therefore, it is recommended that buspirone hydrochloride not be used concomitantly with an MAOI. Serotonin Syndrome The development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome has been reported with SNRIs, SSRIs, and other serotonergic drugs, including buspirone, alone but particularly with concomitant use of other serotonergic drugs (including triptans), with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin (in particular, MAOIs, including reversible MAOIs such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue), or with antipsychotics or other dopamine antagonists. Serotonin syndrome symptoms may include mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, delirium, and coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, dizziness, diaphoresis, flushing, hyperthermia), neuromuscular changes (e.g., tremor, rigidity, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, incoordination), seizures, and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Patients should be monitored for emergence of serotonin syndrome. The concomitant use of buspirone with MAOIs intended to treat depression is contraindicated. Buspirone should also not be started in a patient who is being treated with reversible MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue. All reports with methylene blue that provided information on the route of administration involved intravenous administration in the dose range of 1 mg/kg to 8 mg/kg. There have been no reports involving the administration of methylene blue by other routes (such as oral tablets or local tissue injection) or at lower doses. There may be circumstances when it is necessary to initiate treatment with a reversible MAOI such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue in a patient taking buspirone. Buspirone should be discontinued before initiating treatment with the reversible MAOI (see CONTRAINDICATIONS , DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and DRUG INTERACTIONS ). If concomitant use of buspirone with a 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonist (triptan) is clinically warranted, careful observation of the patient is advised, particularly during treatment initiation and dose increases. The concomitant use of buspirone with serotonin precursors (such as tryptophan) is not recommended. Treatment with buspirone and any concomitant serotonergic or antidopaminergic agents, including antipsychotics, should be discontinued immediately if the above events occur and supportive symptomatic treatment should be initiated. Because buspirone hydrochloride has no established antipsychotic activity, it should not be employed in lieu of appropriate antipsychotic treatment.

Adverse reactions cross-check#

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adverse reactions

ADVERSE REACTIONS (See also PRECAUTIONS ) Commonly Observed The more commonly observed untoward events associated with the use of buspirone hydrochloride not seen at an equivalent incidence among placebo-treated patients include dizziness, nausea, headache, nervousness, lightheadedness, and excitement. Associated with Discontinuation of Treatment One guide to the relative clinical importance of adverse events associated with buspirone hydrochloride is provided by the frequency with which they caused drug discontinuation during clinical testing. Approximately 10% of the 2200 anxious patients who participated in the buspirone hydrochloride premarketing clinical efficacy trials in anxiety disorders lasting 3 to 4 weeks discontinued treatment due to an adverse event. The more common events causing discontinuation included: central nervous system disturbances (3.4%), primarily dizziness, insomnia, nervousness, drowsiness, and lightheaded feeling; gastrointestinal disturbances (1.2%), primarily nausea; and miscellaneous disturbances (1.1%), primarily headache and fatigue. In addition, 3.4% of patients had multiple complaints, none of which could be characterized as primary. Incidence in Controlled Clinical Trials The table that follows enumerates adverse events that occurred at a frequency of 1% or more among buspirone hydrochloride patients who participated in 4-week, controlled trials comparing buspirone hydrochloride with placebo. The frequencies were obtained from pooled data for 17 trials. The prescriber should be aware that these figures cannot be used to predict the incidence of side effects in the course of usual medical practice where patient characteristics and other factors differ from those which prevailed in the clinical trials. Similarly, the cited frequencies cannot be compared with figures obtained from other clinical investigations involving different treatments, uses, and investigators. Comparison of the cited figures, however, does provide the prescribing physician with some basis for estimating the relative contribution of drug and nondrug factors to the side-effect incidence rate in the population studied. TREATMENT-EMERGENT ADVERSE EXPERIENCE INCIDENCE IN PLACEBO-CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIALS Events reported by at least 1% of buspirone patients are included. (Percent of Patients Reporting) Buspirone Placebo Adverse Experience (n = 477) (n = 464) Cardiovascular Tachycardia/Palpitations 1 1 CNS Dizziness 12 3 Drowsiness 10 9 Nervousness 5 1 Insomnia 3 3 Lightheadedness 3 - Decreased concentration 2 2 Excitement 2 - Anger/Hostility 2 - Confusion 2 - Depression 2 2 EENT Blurred vision 2 - Gastrointestinal Nausea 8 5 Dry mouth 3 4 Abdominal/gastric distress 2 2 Diarrhea 2 - Constipation 1 2 Vomiting 1 2 Musculoskeletal Musculoskeletal aches/pains 1 - Neurological Numbness 2 - Paresthesia 1 - Incoordination 1 - Tremor 1 - Skin Skin rash 1 - Miscellaneous Headache 6 3 Fatigue 4 4 Weakness 2 - Sweating/Clamminess 1 - - Incidence less than 1%. Other Events Observed During the Entire Premarketing Evaluation of Buspirone Hydrochloride During its premarketing assessment, buspirone hydrochloride were evaluated in over 3500 subjects. This section reports event frequencies for adverse events occurring in approximately 3000 subjects from this group who took multiple doses of buspirone hydrochloride in the dose range for which buspirone is being recommended (i.e., the modal daily dose of buspirone hydrochloride fell between 10 mg and 30 mg for 70% of the patients studied) and for whom safety data were systematically collected. The conditions and duration of exposure to buspirone hydrochloride varied greatly, involving well-controlled studies as well as experience in open and uncontrolled clinical settings. As part of the total experience gained in clinical studies, various adverse events were reported. In the absence of appropriate controls in some of the studies, a causal relationship to buspirone hydrochloride treatment cannot be determined. The list includes all undesirable events reasonably associated with the use of the drug. The following enumeration by organ system describes events in terms of their relative frequency of reporting in this data base. Events of major clinical importance are also described in the PRECAUTIONS section. The following definitions of frequency are used: Frequent adverse events are defined as those occurring in at least 1/100 patients. Infrequent adverse events are those occurring in 1/100 to 1/1000 patients, while rare events are those occurring in less than 1/1000 patients. Cardiovascular Frequent was nonspecific chest pain; infrequent were syncope, hypotension, and hypertension; rare were cerebrovascular accident, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and bradycardia. Central Nervous System Frequent were dream disturbances; infrequent were depersonalization, dysphoria, noise intolerance, euphoria, akathisia, fearfulness, loss of interest, dissociative reaction, hallucinations, involuntary movements, slowed reaction time, suicidal ideation, and seizures; rare were feelings of claustrophobia, cold intolerance, stupor, and slurred speech and psychosis. EENT Frequent were tinnitus, sore throat, and nasal congestion; infrequent were redness and itching of the eyes, altered taste, altered smell, and conjunctivitis; rare were inner ear abnormality, eye pain, photophobia, and pressure on eyes. Endocrine Rare were galactorrhea and thyroid abnormality. Gastrointestinal Infrequent were flatulence, anorexia, increased appetite, salivation, irritable colon, and rectal bleeding; rare was burning of the tongue. Genitourinary Infrequent were urinary frequency, urinary hesitancy, menstrual irregularity and spotting, and dysuria; rare were amenorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease, enuresis, and nocturia. Musculoskeletal Infrequent were muscle cramps, muscle spasms, rigid/stiff muscles, and arthralgias; rare was muscle weakness. Respiratory Infrequent were hyperventilation, shortness of breath, and chest congestion; rare was epistaxis. Sexual Function Infrequent were decreased or increased libido; rare were delayed ejaculation and impotence. Skin Infrequent were edema, pruritus, flushing, easy bruising, hair loss, dry skin, facial edema, and blisters; rare were acne and thinning of nails. Clinical Laboratory Infrequent were increases in hepatic aminotransferases (SGOT, SGPT); rare were eosinophilia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Miscellaneous Infrequent were weight gain, fever, roaring sensation in the head, weight loss, and malaise; rare were alcohol abuse, bleeding disturbance, loss of voice, and hiccoughs. Postmarketing Experience Postmarketing experience has shown an adverse experience profile similar to that given above. Voluntary reports since introduction have included rare occurrences of allergic reactions (including urticaria), angioedema, cogwheel rigidity, dizziness (rarely reported as vertigo), dystonic reactions (including dystonia), ataxias, extrapyramidal symptoms, dyskinesias (acute and tardive), ecchymosis, emotional lability, serotonin syndrome, transient difficulty with recall, urinary retention, visual changes (including tunnel vision), parkinsonism, akathisia, restless leg syndrome, and restlessness. Because of the uncontrolled nature of these spontaneous reports, a causal relationship to buspirone hydrochloride treatment has not been determined.

adverse reactions table

<table ID="ID51" width="624"><caption> TREATMENT-EMERGENT ADVERSE EXPERIENCE INCIDENCE IN PLACEBO-CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIALS <footnote ID="ID510">Events reported by at least 1% of buspirone patients are included.</footnote></caption><col width="350"/><col width="137"/><col width="137"/><tbody><tr><td colspan="3" align="center" styleCode="Lrule Toprule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"><content styleCode="bold"> (Percent of Patients Reporting)</content> </td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"/><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"><content styleCode="bold"> Buspirone </content> </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"><content styleCode="bold"> Placebo </content> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"><content styleCode="bold"> Adverse Experience </content> </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"><content styleCode="bold"> (n = 477) </content> </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"><content styleCode="bold"> (n = 464) </content> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Cardiovascular </td><td styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"/><td styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"/></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Tachycardia/Palpitations </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 1 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 1 </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> CNS </td><td styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"/><td styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"/></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Dizziness </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 12 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 3 </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Drowsiness </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 10 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 9 </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Nervousness </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 5 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 1 </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Insomnia </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 3 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 3 </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Lightheadedness </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 3 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> - </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Decreased concentration </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 2 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 2 </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Excitement </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 2 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> - </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Anger/Hostility </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 2 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> - </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Confusion </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 2 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> - </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Depression </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 2 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 2 </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> EENT </td><td styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"/><td styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"/></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Blurred vision </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 2 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> - </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Gastrointestinal </td><td styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"/><td styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"/></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Nausea </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 8 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 5 </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Dry mouth </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 3 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 4 </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Abdominal/gastric distress </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 2 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 2 </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Diarrhea </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 2 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> - </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Constipation </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 1 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 2 </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Vomiting </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 1 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 2 </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Musculoskeletal </td><td styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"/><td styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"/></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Musculoskeletal aches/pains </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 1 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> - </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Neurological </td><td styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"/><td styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"/></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Numbness </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 2 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> - </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Paresthesia </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 1 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> - </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Incoordination </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 1 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> - </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Tremor </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 1 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> - </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Skin </td><td styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"/><td styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"/></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Skin rash </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 1 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> - </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Miscellaneous </td><td styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"/><td styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"/></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Headache </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 6 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 3 </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Fatigue </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 4 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 4 </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Weakness </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 2 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> - </td></tr><tr><td align="left" styleCode="Lrule Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> Sweating/Clamminess </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> 1 </td><td align="center" styleCode=" Botrule Rrule" valign="top"> - </td></tr></tbody></table>