BUSPIRONE helps to relieve certain states of anxiety. It is chemically different from other medicines that treat anxiety and has very little effect on mental alertness. Buspirone does not produce dependency problems.

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• if you are currently receiving other medications for the treatment of anxiety
• liver disease
• kidney disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to buspirone, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. You may take this medicine with or without food. To ensure that this medicine always works the same way for you, you should take it either always with or always without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on the advice of your doctor or health care professional.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
• procarbazine

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• diazepam
• digoxin
• diltiazem
• erythromycin
• grapefruit juice
• haloperidol
• medicines for mental depression or mood problems
• medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital and phenytoin
• nefazodone
• other medications for anxiety
• rifampin
• ritonavir
• some antifungal medicines like itraconazole, ketoconazole, and voriconazole
• verapamil
• warfarin

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. It may take 1 to 2 weeks before your anxiety gets better.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can make you more drowsy and dizzy. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• blurred vision or other vision changes
• chest pain
• confusion
• difficulty breathing
• feelings of hostility or anger
• muscle aches and pains
• numbness or tingling in hands or feet
• ringing in the ears
• skin rash and itching
• vomiting
• weakness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• disturbed dreams, nightmares
• headache
• nausea
• restlessness or nervousness
• sore throat and nasal congestion
• stomach upset

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.