Does Buspirone Cause Weight Gain?

Introduction:

A medication that is frequently given to treat anxiety disorders is buspirone. Buspirone functions differently from benzodiazepines, which can potentially develop into habits, by altering the brain’s serotonin and dopamine levels. Many buspirone users are curious about the medicine’s side effects, especially if it makes them gain weight.

Take buspirone exactly as recommended by your doctor. You should take buspirone for as long as your doctor recommends it, depending on your medical condition. Buspirone’s most frequent side effects are nausea, dry mouth, headache, vomiting, constipation, fatigue, lightheadedness, stomach pain, and diarrhea. They go away on their own with time and don’t need medical attention. However, consult your physician if the side effects are severe.

Most people who use this medication do not noticeably gain or lose weight because it is generally weight-neutral. However, individual experiences may be different, just like with any medication.

What is Buspirone?

Anxiolytic medications like buspirone are frequently recommended to treat anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

It additionally improves concentration, lowers anxiety, and encourages relaxation.

It helps to restore balance and lessen anxiety by mainly acting on the brain’s serotonin and dopamine receptors. It works by improving the transmission of serotonin and adjusting dopamine levels, two neurotransmitters involved in mood control. Buspirone is different from benzodiazepines and other anxiolytics due to its unique mode of action, making it an excellent alternative for those who may be concerned about tolerance or sensitive to the sedative effects of traditional anxiety medications.

Those who experience nervousness or have an anxiety condition might experience the following symptoms:

• Nervousness
• Sweating
• A sense that danger is near
• Trembling
• Weakness or tiredness
• Difficulty with concentration and sleeping
• Stomachaches and headaches
• Restlessness

In addition to other medications you may already be on, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are routinely given to treat depression, buspirone is a daily medication.

How Buspirone Affects Weight:

Since buspirone is usually thought of as weight-neutral, most people do not experience noticeable weight gain or loss as a direct result of using it. However, weight changes may result indirectly from its effects on the body and mind.

The following are some significant ways that buspirone may affect weight.

Changes in Appetite

• When taking buspirone, some individuals have noticed slight changes in their appetite.
• A person may eat more and put on weight if buspirone lessens the appetite control caused by anxiety.
• On the other hand, weight reduction could happen if anxiety-caused overeating is decreased.

Metabolic Impacts

• Buspirone doesn’t significantly alter metabolism like some psychological medications (such as antidepressants and antipsychotics) do.
• It has no direct effect on insulin resistance, consumption of energy, or fat storage.

Changes In Behavior and Emotions

• Some people overeat, while others eat less, since anxiety may affect eating patterns.
• Buspirone may regulate eating behaviors by lowering anxiety and promoting mood stability.
• Depending on the person’s past eating habits, this effect may cause weight reduction, minor weight increase, or weight stabilization.

Effect on Energy Levels and Physical Activity

• Buspirone could help increase energy levels if anxiety was causing you to feel exhausted or unmotivated.
• Better weight management and maybe weight loss could result from increased activity.
• However, a decrease in activity levels could result in minor weight gain if the medicine makes certain people tired or fatigued.

Ways for Controlling Weight While Using Buspirone:

Due to changes in appetite or lifestyle, some people may suffer small weight changes even though buspirone is generally thought to be weight-neutral.

The following are some efficient strategies for keeping a healthy weight while using buspirone:

Keep Your Diet Balanced

• Give special attention to foods high in nutrients, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and healthy fats.
• Stay away from sugary drinks, processed foods, and high-calorie snacks in excess.
• To control appetite and avoid overeating, eat smaller, more frequent meals.

Control your sleep and stress.

• Stress and sleep problems can cause weight gain because they change hormones and appetite.
• Use relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga to manage stress.
• To promote general well-being, make sure you receive seven to nine hours of good sleep every night.

Keep Yourself Hydrated

• To stay hydrated and regulate appetite, take on lots of water throughout the day.
• Sometimes people confuse thirst for hunger, which results in their consuming extra calories.

Consider portion sizes.

• Make use of portion management techniques, like utilizing smaller dishes or measuring food portions.
• Be aware of your emotional eating patterns and refrain from eating too much when you’re bored or under stress.

Maintain Your Physical Activity Level

• Take part in regular exercise, such as strength training, yoga, jogging, or walking.
• To keep your metabolism in good shape, try to get in at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.
• Include physical activity in your everyday routine by using the stairs or taking quick walks.

Observe Your Development

• To track your eating patterns and level of physical activity, keep a food and exercise journal.
• If you observe noticeable changes in your weight, use a weight-tracking app or speak with a healthcare professional.

Speak with Your Physician

• If your weight noticeably increases or decreases while taking buspirone, consult your doctor to figure out other causes.
• If necessary, your doctor can prescribe dietary modifications, a different medicine, or an adjustment to the dosage.

Side Effects of Buspirone:

Often used to treat problems with anxiety, buspirone is usually easy to tolerate. It may, however, have side effects, just like any medication. As the body becomes used to the medicine, these usually minor side effects frequently get better.

This list includes buspirone’s frequent, uncommon, and rare side effects.

Common Side Effects

Many users have these side effects, which are often moderate and temporary:

• Dizziness: It is possible to have a feeling of faintness or dizziness, particularly when getting up rapidly from a sitting or reclining posture. Usually temporary, this side effect goes away as the body adjusts to the medication.
• Tiredness: After taking the medication, some people feel tired or exhausted.
• Nausea: Buspirone frequently causes nausea as a side effect, especially when taking the medication for the first time. As the body becomes used to the medication, this side effect normally goes away.
• Headache: Headaches are a possible side effect for some people using buspirone. Usually mild to moderate in intensity, these headaches frequently get better with continued use of medications.
• The feeling of spinning or tremors, especially when waking up quickly, is known as lightheadedness.
• Initially, some people may have nervousness, even though buspirone is used to relieve anxiety.

Unusual Side Effects

Although less frequent, they can still happen:

• Chewing gum or drinking water are two ways to relieve the feeling of dry mouth that happens.
• Some people have slight digestive pain, which is known as an upset stomach.
• Sweating: Some people experience increased sweating.
• Blurred vision: In rare instances, temporary visual abnormalities.
• Sleep disturbances: While some people feel excessively tired, others suffer from sleeplessness.
• Weakness or fatigue: A sense of exhaustion or poor stamina.

Rare but Serious Side Effects

Even though they are rare, these side effects require immediate medical attention:

• Combining buspirone with other serotonergic medications (such as SSRIs or MAO inhibitors) might result in serotonin syndrome, a dangerous illness. Symptoms include fever, trembling, feeling confused, muscle rigidity, and a heartbeat that is fast.
• If signs of an allergic response include rash, itching, swelling (especially in the face or throat), severe vertigo, or difficulty breathing, you should see a doctor every once in a while.
• Heart palpitations: An irregular or fast heartbeat that requires medical attention.
• Uncontrolled Movements: Although rare, muscle tremors and jerks could happen, especially when taking excessive amounts.

Long-Term Effects

• Unlike benzodiazepines, buspirone isn’t considered as addictive and does not lead to tolerance.
• Although long-term use is usually safe, it’s best to see a doctor if you have any new or unusual side effects.

Does Buspirone medication come with any additional warnings or precautions?

Make sure to let your doctor know about any allergies or medical conditions you may have, the medicines you are taking, whether you are becoming pregnant or breastfeeding, and any more important medical details before beginning a medications regimen. These elements may affect how you take this medicine.

• Alcohol and additional medications that make you sleepy

When taking diazepam, you should avoid alcohol and other medications that make you sleepy, such as narcotic painkillers, antidepressants, sleeping pills, or anxiety medications. When buspirone is taken with any of these medications, it might cause extreme sleepiness, respiratory issues, and even death or coma. Buspirone should not be used by those with substance addictions, unless there are very unusual conditions under medical care.

• Withdrawal and dependence

Buspirone has been linked to physical dependence, which is the requirement to take doses on a regular basis to avoid physical symptoms. If the dosage suddenly stops or is significantly lowered, severe withdrawal symptoms could happen. Anxiety, insomnia, tremors, agitation, cramping in the abdomen, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, muscle soreness, severe anxiety, tension, restlessness, disorientation, and seizures are some of the symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms can be avoided or lessened by lowering the dosage gradually while being closely monitored by a doctor.

• Fatigue and decreased attention

The mental or physical abilities required for particular tasks, such as operating machinery or driving a car, may be affected by this medicine. Do not operate dangerous machinery or drive while taking this medication until you have a clearer idea of how it may affect you.

• Liver function

Buspirone is broken down by the liver so that the kidneys can remove it from the body. The buildup of buspirone in the body is one of the side effects that can arise from liver disease or problems with the liver.

Talk to your doctor about how this medicine may affect your health, how your health may affect the dosage and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any additional monitoring is required if you have liver disease or decreased liver function.

• Fractures and falls

Feeling lightheaded or sleepy, caused by buspirone, can affect your balance and raise your risk of falling. Fractures or other injuries may arise from this. Your risk of falling is increased if you are elderly, have a disease that makes you weak or fragile, drink alcohol, or take other sedatives while taking this medication.

• Seizures

It is uncertain if using buspirone when suffering from a seizure disorder is safe or beneficial. You shouldn’t take this medication if you have a seizure condition or a history of seizure disorders.

Talk to your doctor about how this medicine can affect your health, how your condition may affect the medication’s dosage and effectiveness, and whether additional monitoring is required if you have a seizure disorder.

• Terminating the use of the medication

If you must stop taking this medication, you should do so gradually and under your doctor’s guidance. Anxiety, diarrhea, cramping in the abdomen, and trouble sleeping can result from sudden discontinuation of buspirone. Severe withdrawal symptoms include desperation, return anxiety, and seizures.

Summary:

Since buspirone is usually considered weight-neutral, it is unlikely to result in significant weight gain or reduction. The medication itself does not have significant associations with weight gain, though some people may feel changes in their appetite. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and talking to your doctor about any worries you may have about weight changes while taking buspirone can help guarantee the best possible result.

Always get advice from your physician for advice particular to your requirements if you’re worried about changes in weight while using buspirone or any other medication.

FAQ:

References:

• PharmD, C. E. October 20, 2022. What you should know about the adverse effects of oral buspirone tablets. Buspirone tablet side effects: Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs#fa-qs
• Z. Semenovskaya, MD. September 21, 2022. Can you gain weight when using Buspar? K Health. Buspar weight gain: https://khealth.com/learn/medication/
• J. M. W. PharmD (2022, December 9). oral buspirone tablet. The following article can be found at https://www.medicalnewstoday.com: drugs-buspirone-oral-tablet.
• Premium Health. May 30, 2024. Examining the adverse consequences of buspirone: Buspar Weight Gain. https://premiumhealth.us/weight-gain-and-buspar/
• Buspirone: Applications, adverse effects, and medications (n.d.) Apollo Pharmacy. ApolloPharmacy. Buspirone: https://www.apollopharmacy.in/salt/