what is buspirone used for

Buspirone is primarily used to treat anxiety disorders, particularly generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It helps relieve symptoms of anxiety such as fear, tension, irritability, dizziness, and pounding heartbeat. Buspirone is often preferred because it does not have the addictive properties seen with benzodiazepines. It works by affecting serotonin and dopamine activity in the brain, though the exact mechanism is not fully known. Buspirone is used both for short-term and long-term treatment of anxiety and may be prescribed alone or with other anxiety treatments such as benzodiazepines, antihistamines, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It has no immediate effect and may take 2 to 6 weeks to become fully effective. Besides anxiety, buspirone has some evidence of usefulness for treating antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction and hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women. However, it is not effective for withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or alcohol. In summary, buspirone's main use is to treat generalized anxiety disorder and help alleviate anxiety symptoms without the sedative or addictive effects of other anxiety medications. It is sometimes used as a second-line treatment for depression and has off-label uses in some sexual dysfunction conditions. Buspirone does not cause sedation, muscle relaxation, or anticonvulsant effects, which distinguishes it from benzodiazepines. This comprehensive information about buspirone's uses and effects reflects current medical knowledge up to 2025.