Can you take Buspar on an empty stomach? 

Can you take Buspar on an empty stomach? 

Yes, you can take Buspar on an empty stomach. You can also take it with food if taking Buspar on an empty stomach makes you nauseous. It doesn’t really affect the overall effectiveness of the drug. 

However, taking Buspar with food can delay the onset of action of the drug as it will get absorbed a little late, but that shouldn’t affect the clinical significance of the drug. Just make sure you take Buspar, in the same way, every day, whether you’re taking it with or without food. 

It is also important to make sure that you don’t pair Buspar with foods it is not compatible with, like grapefruit or grapefruit juice. If you have any other questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. 

Potential risks of taking Buspar on an empty stomach

Taking Buspar on an empty stomach can increase the chances of experiencing certain side effects. These may include dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, or upset stomach (1,2). 

Gastrointestinal side effects can sometimes lead to lesser calorie consumption and can lead to weight loss in some people. The drug can generally make some people lose weight (3).

When Buspar is taken without food, the levels of the medication in the body may fluctuate more. This can lead to inconsistent results and potentially impact its overall effectiveness. 

How to take Buspar properly?

There are some important tips to take Buspar properly and make the most out of it. These include (1):

  • Take Buspar exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Read the medication label carefully and follow any specific instructions provided.
  • Take the prescribed dosage of Buspar as recommended by your doctor. Do not take more or less than instructed, and do not stop taking it without consulting your doctor first.
  • It’s important to remain patient. Buspar may take some time to start working. It is not a medication that provides immediate relief like some other medications. It may take several weeks of consistent use to experience its full effects.
  • Take Buspar at the same time(s) each day to help maintain a consistent level of the medication in your body. This can help optimize its effectiveness.
  • Attend follow-up appointments with your doctor to monitor your progress and discuss any concerns or side effects you may be experiencing.

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References

1.-

Wilson TK, Tripp J. Buspirone. 2023 Jan 17. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30285372. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531477/#article-18731.s9

2.-

National Library of Medicine. Buspirone: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a688005.html

3.-

Lee YJ, Kim HM, Jang YN, Han YM, Seo HS, Jung TW, Jeong JH, Lee HJ, Jung KO. Buspirone Induces Weight Loss and Normalization of Blood Pressure via the Stimulation of PPARδ Dependent Energy Producing Pathway in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats. PPAR Res. 2023 Apr 30;2023:7550164. doi: 10.1155/2023/7550164. PMID: 37168052; PMCID: PMC10164918. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37168052/