Buspirone interaction with other drugs

The advantages of buspirone over benzodiazepines are that it is not associated with tolerance or dependence, it does not interact with other CNS depressants (such as alcohol), and it is not associated with impaired psychomotor function. The drug s disadvantages are its delayed onset of action and that it is not always effective, especially in people who have used benzodiazepines. The most common side effects of buspirone are nausea, dizziness, and, paradoxically, anxiety. 

Other drugs The anxiolytic ding buspirone interacts with the S-HT, subclass of brain serotonin receptors as a partial agonist, but the precise mechanism of its anxiolytic effect is unknown. The hypnotics zolpidem and zaleplon are not benzodiazepines but appear to exert their CNS effects via interaction with certain benzodiazepine receptors, classified as BZ, or omega, subtypes their CNS depressant effects are antagonized by flumazenil. 

Additive CNS depression This occurs when sedative-hypnotics are used with other drugs in the class as well as with alcoholic beverages, antihistamines, antipsychotic drugs, opioid analgesics, and tricyclic antidepressants. This is the most common type of drug interaction involving sedative-hypnotics. Additive CNS depression with buspirone is uncommon. 

In addition to the aetions of MDMA and other derivatives at 5-HT2 serotonin reeeptors. some of the effeets on serotonergic systems could be mediated via S-HTja reeeptors, at whieh MDMA has a moderate affinity. Direct agonist effects at this site might eontribute to the mood-altering and calming effects of the drug, sinee similar effects have been reported for novel anxiolyties sueh as ipsaperone and buspirone, which interact with 5-HTia serotonin reeeptors. 

Buspirone has selective anxiolytic effects, and its pharmacologic characteristics are different from those of other drugs described in this chapter. Buspirone relieves anxiety without causing marked sedative, hypnotic, or euphoric effects. Unlike benzodiazepines, the drug has no anticonvulsant or muscle relaxant properties. Buspirone does not interact directly with GABAergic systems. It may exert its anxiolytic effects by acting as a partial agonist at brain 5-HTia receptors, but it also has affinity for brain dopamine D2 receptors. Buspirone-treated patients show no... 

Buspirone is a well-tolerated drug, the most commonly reported side effects being transient dizziness, light-headedness, headache, and gastrointestinal disturbances. Other limitations of buspirone are its delayed onset of action (fewday s to a few weeks) and a significant drug interaction with MAOIs. 

Direct information appears to be limited to this study but it is consistent with the way rifampicin interacts with many other drugs. This interaction would appear to be clinically important. If both drugs are used be alert for the need to use an increased buspirone dosage. 

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