Buspirone Use During Pregnancy | Safety & Risks

BuSpar (the brand name for buspirone) is an anxiolytic drug used to treat those suffering from anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). 

Although BuSpar can help ease symptoms of anxiety, it can also cause a number of side effects you should consider when taking this medication if you are pregnant.

According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), pregnant women should not use BuSpar during pregnancy unless the medication is clearly needed as there are not enough studies available to determine the potential harm that can be caused to the child.

BuSpar Use During Pregnancy

If you take BuSpar and become pregnant, seek the medical advice of your healthcare provider immediately to discuss your medical history and determine if you should continue taking the drug.

Safety & Risks

BuSpar belongs to category B of the pregnancy category which helps assess the risk of health issues that may occur. 

Since BuSpar belongs to category B, the drug has no known impairments to a child. However, there is not much information known about the drug in regards to pregnancy, as there are only a few human and animal studies available.

While there is no known record of malformations during the first trimester, any medication taken in later trimesters may have certain effects. Buspirone also produces a number of side effects when taken as prescribed.

This is why it’s important to discuss with your doctor which dose of buspirone is appropriate for you if it’s necessary to continue taking BuSpar while pregnant.

Breastfeeding

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), several studies have shown that BuSpar was not present in postpartum women’s breast milk. 

Although it is not known if metabolites can be transferred to a baby through the lactation process, studies suggest that this may not affect the woman’s ability to breastfeed.

Side Effects Of Buspirone

Those who take BuSpar may experience a range of side effects.

General Side Effects

Some of the general side effects a person may experience from BuSpar, especially in the short-term, include:

• lightheadedness
• nausea
• drowsiness
• sedation
• headache
• dry mouth
• dizziness

Serious Side Effects

The use of buspirone long-term throughout the duration of their pregnancy may not have effects which cause harm to the child, however there is no certainty this is the case. Those abusing BuSpar may suffer from several serious side effects, which may include:

• blurred vision
• high blood pressure
• chest pain
• changes in weight
• fainting

Drug Interactions

In addition to the precautions one should take when pregnant, it’s important to note the numerous drug interactions which can occur if a person combines medications.

Do not combine the following medications with BuSpar:

• opioids
• diltiazem (Tiazac, Cardizem, Dilacor)
• sleeping pills
• serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as venlafaxine (Effexor), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and levomilnacipran (Fetzima)
• haloperidol (Haldol)
• muscle relaxants
• nefazodone (Serzone)
• supplements
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
• erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin)
• sedatives
• selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Selfemra, Sarafem), and paroxetine (Paxil, Brisdelle, Pexeva)
• carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), and lorazepam (Ativan)
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Combining BuSpar with antidepressants can result in serious mental health problems including hallucinations and paranoia. The risk of this increases with those who have been diagnosed with existing mental health issues including bipolar disorder.

If you or a loved one are struggling with a substance abuse problem and wish to detox from your meds, contact us today to learn about our treatment options.