In recent years, the use of azapirones has become popular in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and as adjuvant drugs for problems such as depression or social phobia. In this article we will analyze Therapeutic uses, side effects and contraindications of buspirone the best known of these anxiolytics.
Buspirone is a drug with anxiolytic effects which in recent years has begun to be used to treat a wide variety of psychological disorders related to emotional aspects. It is also frequently combined with other medications to enhance its therapeutic action, particularly in the case of depression.
This psychotropic drug It is part of the azapirone group, to which other medications that contain the ending “-pyrone” in their nomenclature belong, such as gepirone, ipsapirone or tandospirone, which is used to maximize the effectiveness of antipsychotics. In any case, buspirone is the most used and studied azapirone.
Pharmacology and mechanism of action
The mechanism of action of buspirone depends on its high affinity with the serotonergic 5-HT1A receptors, as a result of which it exerts an antagonistic effect on this neurotransmitter. In turn, this allows a increase in dopamine and norepinephrine levels However, its activity is complex and depends on the dose administered.
The maximum pharmacological potency occurs between 60 and 90 minutes after taking the medication. The effects decrease noticeably after about 3 hours, although there are studies that indicate that metabolization is slower, and it may take more than two weeks to completely eliminate buspirone from the body.
Unlike other psychotropic drugs used to manage anxiety, such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates, buspirone has a low potential for addiction and dependence and interferes to a lesser extent in the lives of the people who consume it. It is for these reasons that the popularity of this medication is progressively increasing.
What is it for?
Buspirone was designed and is primarily used to treat anxiety-related symptoms. However, recent research suggests that its effects on neuronal transmission may also be beneficial in other types of psychological problems.
1. Generalized anxiety disorder
The main indication of buspirone is the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, which is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry and tends to cause physical symptoms, such as muscle tension, gastrointestinal difficulties, and fatigue. In these cases, pharmacological therapy can take almost a month to take effect.
2. Major depression
The possibility of using buspirone as a medication is currently being studied. adjuvant to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the treatment of depression, especially to counteract problems in sexual response, very common side effects of these drugs.
Likewise, other studies suggest that long-term administration of buspirone could be effective in itself in relieving the symptoms of this disorder. The results are promising, although more research is required to confirm the effectiveness of these applications.
3. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Another perspective for the use of buspirone is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, better known by its abbreviation “ADHD”. This alteration is related to dopamine neurotransmission which could explain the good preliminary results that are being obtained in this field.
In addition to being useful for managing problems of excitatory and orgasmic dysfunction associated with the use of antidepressant drugs, research suggests that buspirone could be effective in cases of hypoactive sexual desire, and not necessarily only in those that have a pharmacological origin.
5. Agitation and aggressiveness
In the scientific literature we can find references to the use of buspirone in the management of disorders related to psychophysiological agitation, irritability and aggressiveness, particularly in children and the elderly with dementia
6. Social anxiety disorder
Some studies suggest that buspirone may also be useful for treating social phobia. However, as with depression, in this case it would be administered as an adjuvant drug to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs, the medications of choice for this disorder.
Side effects and contraindications
Among the most common side effects of buspirone Drowsiness, feelings of dizziness, headaches stand out fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, tachycardia, tremors, insomnia, confusion, irritability and paresthesias (abnormal sensory perceptions such as numbness, tingling or burning).
The symptoms in the previous paragraph often disappear within a few days of starting consumption. It is advisable to consult your doctor when the side effects are severe, persist after several weeks of treatment, or include notable cardiovascular problems motor coordination difficulties or explosions of anger, among others.
The use of buspirone together with drugs from the MAOI class (monoamine oxidase enzyme inhibitors) is not recommended or in people with serious liver or kidney problems, such as metabolic acidosis, more common in cases of diabetes.
