What is the best antidepressant to take with Buspar? (3 good combinations)
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In this article, we will discuss the most suitable antidepressants to pair with Buspar (buspirone), an anti-anxiety medication. We will also discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding Buspar to the antidepressant treatment regimen.
What is the best antidepressant to take with Buspar?
The best antidepressants to take with Buspar depend on the patient-specific details and may include the following:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Atypical antidepressants
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are most commonly used with Buspar and are considered well-tolerated in people. SSRIs are approved for the treatment of depression and anxiety, while Buspar is primarily used as an anxiolytic agent (1). SSRIs are generally considered the first line of therapy for anxiety.
However, some people, especially those with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), may not respond well to SSRI monotherapy. In such cases, doctors think of Buspar augmentation of SSRI therapy to enhance the anxiolytic effects of the medication.
SSRIs typically include: (1)
- Sertraline
- Fluoxetine
- Escitalopram
- Citalopram
- Paroxetine
Fluoxetine and sertraline are more often paired with Buspar. However, it may not be as simple in some cases; both SSRIs and Buspar affect serotonin levels in the brain, making this combination a bit risky for certain individuals.
It is also important to note that dose adjustment is crucial to prevent side effects or interactions when using combinations like these.
Furthermore, some SSRIs, such as citalopram, may sometimes be contraindicated in certain individuals taking Buspar because of the potential side effects, including the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
SNRIs can also be prescribed with Buspar. These medications work on both serotonin and norepinephrine, two monoamine excitatory neurotransmitters. SNRIs are not considered the first line of therapy for anxiety (2).
However, people who don’t do well on SSRIs may respond well to SNRIs, as these meds are effective in treating various mental health conditions. However, the combination of SNRIs and Buspar can cause some potential side effects and may not be suitable for every individual.
SNRIs typically include: (2)
- Duloxetine
- Venlafaxine
- Desvenlafaxine
- Milnacipran
These combinations are carefully prescribed according to the patient’s condition and how well they generally respond to antidepressants. So, make sure you do not pair these meds without consulting your doctor.
If your doctor believes that this combination will manage your condition effectively, they will carefully adjust the dose and monitor your response to these meds. This is crucial for a safe and effective therapeutic response.
Atypical antidepressants
Buspar can also be taken with atypical antidepressants, like Wellbutrin (3). These medications are generally considered safe to combine and can manage various mental health symptoms.
However, the combination of Buspar and Wellbutrin can cause some potential side effects and may require monitoring in some individuals.
What are the potential benefits of taking Buspar with antidepressants?
Combining Buspar with antidepressants can offer several potential benefits in managing mental health conditions. Buspar, being an anxiolytic drug, can help enhance the anxiolytic effects of SSRIs.
This is beneficial in cases where patients do not respond well to SSRI monotherapy. The combination of Buspar and a compatible antidepressant is also beneficial for people who have depression comorbid with GAD (4). This combination can also improve mood and overall quality of life.
Buspar augmentation of SSRI therapy may also manage SSRI-induced sexual side effects to some extent. However, such combinations do have some potential health risks.
What are the potential risks of taking Buspar with antidepressants?
The use of Buspar and antidepressants can cause some additive side effects, including: (1,2,5)
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Lightheadedness
- Excitement
- Insomnia
- Blurred vision
- Upset stomach
- Confusion
- Sweating
- Dry mouth
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Weight changes
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Sexual dysfunction
- Agitation
- Tremors
These side effects can vary from person to person and can depend on various patient-specific factors. However, these side effects do subside as your body adjusts to the combination.
It is important to note that taking Buspar and antidepressants can increase the risk of a rare, but life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. The common signs and symptoms of serotonin include (6):
- Confusion
- Agitation
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dilated pupils
- Elevated body temperature
- Excessive sweating
- Shivering or tremors
- Muscle rigidity
- Incoordination
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Changes in blood pressure
- Hallucinations
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
Serotonin syndrome is rare but is a medical emergency. So, make sure you do not take higher-than-recommended doses or take such combinations more often than prescribed.
If you feel unusual after taking Buspar along with any antidepressant which is prescribed by your doctor, immediately seek medical attention. Although such combinations can provide advanced therapeutic benefits, but could also affect people negatively.
So, it’s important to keep an eye on your side effects and report them to your doctor promptly.
How to choose the best antidepressant to take with Buspar?
The choice of the best antidepressant to pair with Buspar should be made by a qualified healthcare provider who has access to your details, including your age, weight, medical history, any known allergies, pre-existing health conditions, and other medications you may take.
These details are crucial for your doctor to know before prescribing any medication, let alone those which can affect your brain chemistry. A qualified provider takes into account all the important details and prescribes the best possible combination to manage your symptoms and improve the quality of your life.
In my healthcare experience, I have seen some good responses to buspirone augmentation of antidepressant therapy. However, I have also seen some negative responses. This is because people are different and have different factors affecting their health.
Some may not be able to take such combinations because of a pre-existing health condition or a potential drug-disease interaction, while some may not be able to take it due to some of their prescription medications or a potential drug-drug interaction.
This is why it’s important to never make any changes to your prescription on your own and reach out to your doctor to discuss a safe and effective treatment strategy.
References
- Chu A, Wadhwa R. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. 2023 May 1. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32119293. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32119293/
- Sansone RA, Sansone LA. Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors: a pharmacological comparison. Innov Clin Neurosci. 2014 Mar;11(3-4):37-42. PMID: 24800132; PMCID: PMC4008300. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4008300/
- Maj J. Atypical antidepressant drugs – psychopharmacological profile and mechanism of action. Pharmacopsychiatria. 1982 Jan;15(1):26-30. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-1019505. PMID: 7199735. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7199735/
- Dimitriou EC, Dimitriou CE. Buspirone augmentation of antidepressant therapy. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1998 Dec;18(6):465-9. doi: 10.1097/00004714-199812000-00009. PMID: 9864079. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9864079/
- 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#side-effects
- Simon LV, Keenaghan M. Serotonin Syndrome. 2023 Jul 17. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29493999. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482377