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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cpallen79 on March 22, 2004, at 18:29:41
Hello, I have decided to take Buspar to help alleviate some of the anxiety I have felt in cunjunction with effexor withdrawal and major life stressors (hair raising anxiety!). Does anyone know the difference between SSRIs and Buspar? When I want to taper off of Buspar, how do I do it? Anyone here ever been on Buspar for a long time and have trouble getting off of it? Any information on how Buspar works, it's side effects, and difficulty in going off it would be appreciated. Also, I've read that sometimes doctors prescribe Buspar to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Is this correct?
Posted by zeugma on March 22, 2004, at 22:59:33
In reply to Buspar versus SSRIS- what's the difference??, posted by cpallen79 on March 22, 2004, at 18:29:41
> Hello, I have decided to take Buspar to help alleviate some of the anxiety I have felt in cunjunction with effexor withdrawal and major life stressors (hair raising anxiety!). Does anyone know the difference between SSRIs and Buspar? When I want to taper off of Buspar, how do I do it? Anyone here ever been on Buspar for a long time and have trouble getting off of it? Any information on how Buspar works, it's side effects, and difficulty in going off it would be appreciated. Also, I've read that sometimes doctors prescribe Buspar to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Is this correct?
I have been on buspar for well over a year, but i'm certain that if I went off it cold turkey, I would suffer no withdrawal symptoms other than a return of my sleep difficulties (which i primarily take the Buspar to deal with). Unlike SSRI's, which affect every serotonin receptor, Buspar only stimulates one receptor, known as 5HT-1A.
Buspar does not have the notorious sexual side effects associated with SSRI's, in fact for many it is even mildly pro-sexual. The main side effects are dizziness and nausea (I have only experienced dizziness). I have seen references to Buspar used to ease opiate withdrawal, but I know nothing about it being used to withdraw from SSRI's or Effexor.
Posted by cpallen79 on March 23, 2004, at 9:00:59
In reply to Re: Buspar versus SSRIS- what's the difference??, posted by zeugma on March 22, 2004, at 22:59:33
Thanks for the information! Does anyone know how long busapr remains in the body (i.e half life). It sounds also like it does something completely different on the brain itself as opposed to the Serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on March 23, 2004, at 9:54:34
In reply to Re: Buspar versus SSRIS- what's the difference?? » zeugma, posted by cpallen79 on March 23, 2004, at 9:00:59
A single dose of Buspar has a half-life of 2-3 hours. And you are right -- its mode of action is significantly different from that of the SSRIs. SSRIs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors -- they prevent serotonin sent across the synapse to the receptor from being reabsorbed by the transmitter (this process is reuptake). Thus, more serotonin is available to transmit messages. They are "selective" because, depending on the individual drug, SSRIs work at different serotonin receptors/subreceptors. And some even affect other neurotransmitters to a small degree -- Prozac, for example, slightly increases norepinephrine levels, while Zoloft slightly increases dopamine levels.
BuSpar, on the other hand, *blocks* serotonin from binding to a specific receptor called the 5-HT1a subreceptor. It also binds to the dopamine D2 receptor and stimulates it slightly.
Posted by cpallen79 on March 23, 2004, at 14:36:34
In reply to Re: Buspar versus SSRIS- what's the difference??, posted by Ame Sans Vie on March 23, 2004, at 9:54:34
Thanks Ames!
dop youthink that offers explanation as to why people taking Buspar do not have significant withdrawal effects as oppossed to an SSRI because Buspar is so specialized... It just is attracted to one receptor as opposed to working with all of them, hence the withdrawal from the med is far more specialized as opposed to having to deal with all of the receptor issues.
> A single dose of Buspar has a half-life of 2-3 hours. And you are right -- its mode of action is significantly different from that of the SSRIs. SSRIs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors -- they prevent serotonin sent across the synapse to the receptor from being reabsorbed by the transmitter (this process is reuptake). Thus, more serotonin is available to transmit messages. They are "selective" because, depending on the individual drug, SSRIs work at different serotonin receptors/subreceptors. And some even affect other neurotransmitters to a small degree -- Prozac, for example, slightly increases norepinephrine levels, while Zoloft slightly increases dopamine levels.
>
> BuSpar, on the other hand, *blocks* serotonin from binding to a specific receptor called the 5-HT1a subreceptor. It also binds to the dopamine D2 receptor and stimulates it slightly.
This is the end of the thread.
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