Does Buspar Interact With Guanfacine?

Answer

This is a great question and I appreciate you reaching out! There are a number of different drugs that are used to treat anxiety and ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and many of them do interact based on similar mechanisms of action, so it's important to check into potential problems.

However, the good news here is that there is no known interaction between Buspar (buspirone) and guanfacine. They are considered safe to use together.

How These Drugs Work

As mentioned in the opening, there certainly are plenty of drug interactions between drugs that are used to treat anxiety and ADHD.

For example, SSRIs, like Zoloft, are often used for anxiety and amphetamine stimulants are often used to treat ADHD. Both of these drugs can affect the neurotransmitter serotonin, which increases the risk of a rare, but serious, side effect known as serotonin syndrome.

Fortunately, guanfacine and Buspar have different mechanisms.

Guanfacine is classified as an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist. For ADHD, it is thought to work by affecting neuron firing and the part of the brain that controls attention and impulsivity.

Buspar (buspirone) on the other hand works on several different neurotransmitter receptors, such as serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptors, as well as dopamine D2 receptors. The mechanisms of guanfacine and buspirone are not thought to conflict.

Buspar Dosing

You asked about Buspar dosing. It is generally recommended to be dosed twice daily for maximum efficacy. Specifically, the prescribing information recommends:

• 7.5 mg by mouth twice daily initially, then increase as needed by 5 mg/day every 2 to 3 days. Usual maintenance dose: 15 to 30 mg/day in 2 to 3 divided doses.

It is important to note that Buspar is not a drug that works quickly. It generally takes at least a few weeks of consistent dosing to notice a clinical effect.

Final Words

Thanks for reaching out and please do so again anytime!