Can Buspar (Buspirone) Cause Anger?
In our latest question and answer, our pharmacist discusses if Buspar (buspirone) can cause anger in some individuals as a side effect.
My doctor put me on buspirone for anxiety and I read that it can cause anger in rare cases. Is that accurate or true? I am hesitant to continue use if it has anger as a side effect. Can you clarify this a little more for me?
Jan 14, 2023- Anger and hostility are listed as rare side effects of Buspar, occurring in less than 1% of people taking the drug. If anger does occur, it is most likely to happen when first starting the medication and tends to decrease the longer you take it. Your doctor can help evaluate your individual risk and monitor you if you have concerns about this side effect.
Answer
Thanks for reaching out! Both 'anger' and 'hostility' are listed in the prescribing information for Buspar (buspirone) as potential side effects of the drug, but these types of side effects are considered rare.
According to the prescribing information, in clinical trials, 2 individuals out of 477 reported anger/hostility:
Additionally, if we take a look at what has been reported during post-marketing surveillance (i.e. after the drug has been on the market) using the FDA FAERS system (a database maintained by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that contains information on adverse events), anger and similar side effects, such as agitation, are somewhat commonly reported.
So, yes, anger is certainly a reported side effect of buspirone, but, as you mentioned in your question, it is rare (thought to occur in less than 1% of the population taking the drug
Most studies that have evaluated buspirone report that if symptoms of anger do occur while taking it, it is most likely to happen when the drug is first started and the risk tends to lower the longer you take the drug.
Why Can Buspar Cause Anger?
Being an anti-anxiety medication, it does seem paradoxical that buspirone has been rarely associated with causing anger and hostility.
I couldn't find any study or discussion that definitively explains why buspirone can cause these effects. In fact, while we have some understanding of how the drug works, the complete mechanism of action isn't known.
Buspirone works on a variety of neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin and dopamine. These play an important part in regulating mood and it's been well-documented that drugs that cause changes in these neurotransmitters can certainly cause changes in the mood or behavior of an individual, which could, of course, include feelings of anger or irritability.
Additionally, Buspar may also have a not well-understood effect on the activity of certain areas of the brain that are involved in mood regulation. It's also possible that the anger or irritability is a symptom of the underlying condition for which the Buspar is being taken and not a direct side effect of the medication.
Additional Thoughts
I can certainly understand your hesitancy to take buspirone if you are worried about experiencing feelings of anger while taking it.
It is important to know that the side effect is thought to be uncommon and less common the longer you take the drug, but outside of this, what factors could put someone more at risk for experiencing the side effect isn't well known.
I highly recommend talking to your doctor about your concerns so you can be appropriately evaluated and monitored.
Final Words
Thanks so much for your question. Please reach back out if anything else comes up!
References & sources
- Buspar Prescribing Information — AccessFDA
- Buspirone, a 5-HT1A agonist attenuates social isolation-induced behavior deficits in rats: a comparative study with fluoxetine — PubMed
- Buspirone — NIH
- Therapeutic effects and effects on actual driving performance of chronically administered buspirone and diazepam in anxious outpatients — PubMed
- Pharmacotherapy of Anxiety Disorders: Current and Emerging Treatment Options — PubMed
- Neuropsychiatry of Aggression — PubMed
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Prescribing information
- Official documentation from a drug manufacturer that lists approved uses, dosages, side effects, and safety information for a medication.
- Side effects
- Unwanted or unexpected reactions that occur in addition to the intended effect of a medication.
- Clinical trials
- Research studies conducted on human volunteers to test the safety and effectiveness of a medication before it is approved for public use.
- Post-marketing surveillance
- The ongoing monitoring of a drug's safety and effectiveness after it has been approved and is available to the public.
- FDA FAERS system
- A database maintained by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that collects reports of harmful reactions and side effects from medications.
- Neurotransmitters
- Chemical messengers in the brain that transmit signals between nerve cells and help regulate mood, behavior, and other brain functions.
- Mechanism of action
- The specific way in which a drug produces its effects in the body at the chemical or cellular level.
- Anti-anxiety medication
- A drug prescribed to reduce symptoms of anxiety and promote calmness.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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