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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SLS on April 15, 2018, at 17:18:57
Has anyone experienced insomnia or sleep disturbances with buspirone (Buspar)? What dosage?
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on April 16, 2018, at 13:44:59
In reply to Buspirone causes insomnia?, posted by SLS on April 15, 2018, at 17:18:57
Hi SLS,
Yes, I have experienced insomnia from buspar (in fairly low doses). However, the insomnia effect did subside to some degree over time.
Posted by SLS on April 16, 2018, at 22:29:42
In reply to Re: Buspirone causes insomnia? » SLS, posted by linkadge on April 16, 2018, at 13:44:59
> Hi SLS,
>
> Yes, I have experienced insomnia from buspar (in fairly low doses). However, the insomnia effect did subside to some degree over time.Thanks, Linkadge
I read that at low dosages, buspirone preferentially antagonizes dopamine presynaptic autoreceptors, which was reported to increase DA activity and NE activity. I wonder if it was the 1PP metabolite responsible for the increase in NE activity via NE alpha-2 receptor antagonism. However, the increase in NE could be a downstream consequence of DA increase. Either way, low dosages of buspirone produced insomnia or sleep disturbances. I like that idea. Insomnia has been a good prognosticator of an eventual robust response for me.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19024168
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2350096
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1883000
The third citation mirrors your description.
I am considering adding buspirone at low dosages if I end up with a partial response to Effexor. What would be an appropriately low dosage?
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on April 17, 2018, at 7:19:55
In reply to Re: Buspirone causes insomnia? » linkadge, posted by SLS on April 16, 2018, at 22:29:42
I found that buspar and Effexor did mix well together.
If you think of it, buspar is supressing serotonin function (via presynaptic 5-ht1a agonism), yet increasing the release of catecholamines via presynaptic d2 antagonism and alpha-2 antagonism.
In other words (perhaps in the short term) it is shifting the sympathetic / parasympathetic balance.
When I first took low doses of buspar (5-10mg) I had almost total insomnia! This is strange, because it is a low dose of something that is supposed to be an anxiolytic.
Linkadge
Posted by bleauberry on April 17, 2018, at 8:13:13
In reply to Buspirone causes insomnia?, posted by SLS on April 15, 2018, at 17:18:57
I was on buspar for about a month. It was insomnia and nervousness the whole time. It felt 'adrenergic'. It felt like too much adrenalin, too much coffee, something like that.
I think it is a way over glorified med. I think it must have been a very helpful med for somebody out there but I've never bumped into them.
> Has anyone experienced insomnia or sleep disturbances with buspirone (Buspar)? What dosage?
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by Tony P on May 19, 2018, at 21:41:59
In reply to Re: Buspirone causes insomnia? » SLS, posted by bleauberry on April 17, 2018, at 8:13:13
I don't remember having a problem with insomnia with Buspar, but I was taking it in combination with Serzone which was a great sleep regulator for me. It would make sense that it might cause insomnia, though, as it has a sort of stimulant effect. I say sort of, because it was originally billed as a tranquilizer.
For me, buspar had two effects: it reduced depression caused by reaction from stress, and it made me more assertive & proactive. Especially in combo with Serzone, it was really effective for me at 15-30 mg/day. It doesn't seem to work for everyone, or in every med combination. I found it had no apparent effect when combined with Cymbalta, so I dropped it. Maybe one of those CYP enzyme interactions, possibly my dose was just too low. I wonder, though, if it would also be ineffective or require higher doses with Effexor?
I wish I were on it now; my life is really high-stress. But my MD is being super-cautious about adding new meds.
Posted by Lamdage22 on June 1, 2018, at 13:34:38
In reply to Re: Buspirone causes insomnia?, posted by Tony P on May 19, 2018, at 21:41:59
What about weight gain and driving?
Posted by Tony P on June 7, 2018, at 15:27:43
In reply to Re: Buspirone causes insomnia?, posted by Lamdage22 on June 1, 2018, at 13:34:38
Didn't notice any weight gain (certainly nothing comparable to Remeron). Driving - I noticed I drove considerably more aggressively than usual, can't really say whether I was impaired or not, possibly even _more_ alert.
This is the end of the thread.
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