Buspirone (Buspar) Nursing Considerations

Hey guys, let’s talk about Buspirone. Also known as Buspar. This is an oral medication, as you can see here in the picture, some Buspar tablets. So when we talk about the therapeutic class and the pharmacologic class of a drug, you want to remember that the therapeutic class is what the drug does in the body while the pharmacologic class is the drug’s chemical effect on the body. So for Buspirone, the therapeutic class is an anti-anxiety while the pharmacologic class is an Azapirone. So what is the action of Buspirone? So Buspironerelieves anxiety by binding to dopamine and serotonin receptors, which is why it is indicated for the management of anxiety. So some of the most common side effects of Buspirone are dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, and sometimes even weakness. 

So let’s take a look at some of the nursing considerations for Buspirone. It is important to remember that Buspirone should not be administered in patients who are already on MAOIs. Buspirone interacts with grapefruit juice, so make sure you remind your patient of this. Patients on Buspirone may experience chest pain, palpitations, and tachycardia, and the patient should also avoid alcohol and CNS depressants. Make sure you teach your patient to take this medication as directed. So guys, even though this medication, isn’t a benzodiazepine, which are known for having the ability to become addictive. There are still patients who say they take higher doses because of its ability to cause extreme sedation. So make sure you keep this in mind if your patient is on this medication. That’s it for Buspirone or Buspar. Now go out and be your best self today. And as always happy nursing.