Dr. Bob's Psychopharmacology Tips

Buspirone dosing

Date: Wed, 12 Apr 1995 22:47:16 +0059 (EDT)
From: scole@world.std.com (Stanley Cole)
Subject: Buspirone dosing

It is important to push the dose aggressively, and most patients need 30 to 60 mg, many on the high end of this range. Also, patients have to be assisted in tolerating the highest possible dose. At a certain point patients call and report that 45 minutes after taking the dose they feel dizzy for about 15 minutes, sometimes enough to require them to sit down. It almost always is the first dose of the day which is taken on an empty stomach since patients who need this usually can't tolerate breakfast. At this point, taking it with food helps.

Date: Thu, 25 May 1995 13:44:03 -0500
From: crismonl@MAIL.utexas.edu (M. Lynn Crismon)
Subject: Buspirone dosing

I've had good expereiences with buspirone in GAD, but I feel there is significant interindindividual variation in dosage requirements. Many patients may require 60 mg daily (even more?) while others cannot tolerate the side effects associated with dosages much greater than 30 mg daily (especially single doses of 10 mg or more in my experience).

From: PMBrig@aol.com (Peter M. Brigham, MD)
Date: Fri, 4 Aug 1995 08:44:24 -0400
Subject: Wait to see effects of buspirone

On Aug 2, 1995, DWatson315@aol.com wrote:

Question: For those of you familiar with the clinical administration of buspirone... How long do you typically have to wait to see some positive effects?

In fact, the McLean affective disorders folks have done some studies showing it to be a decent antidepressant if given in doses of 60-90 mg/day. My experience is that it more often works (for GAD or depression) when people can tolerate it at higher doses.

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