BuSpar vs. Ativan

• Are Ativan and BuSpar the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of BuSpar?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Ativan?
• What Is BuSpar?
• What Is Ativan?
• What Drugs Interact with BuSpar?
• What Drugs Interact with Ativan?
• How Should BuSpar Be Taken?
• How Should Ativan Be Taken?

BuSpar (buspirone) and Ativan (lorazepam) are antianxiety agents prescribed to treat anxiety.

Ativan is also used to treat insomnia, panic attacks, and alcohol withdrawal.

BuSpar and Ativan belong to different drug classes. BuSpar is an antianxiety agent that works differently than other drugs in the same class, and Ativan is a benzodiazepine.

Side effects of BuSpar and Ativan that are similar include dizziness, nausea, headache, drowsiness, feeling tired, blurred vision, and sleep problems (insomnia or strange dreams).

Side effects of BuSpar that are different from Ativan include nervousness, lightheadedness, restlessness, dry mouth, upset stomach, stuffy nose, sore throat, ringing in the ears, and excitement.

Side effects of Ativan that are different from BuSpar include muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination, forgetfulness or amnesia, difficulty concentrating, vomiting, constipation, changes in appetite, and skin rash.

Both BuSpar and Ativan may interact with alcohol and other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing (sleeping pills, narcotics, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety, depression, or seizures).

BuSpar may also interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), trazodone, warfarin, erythromycin, itraconazole, nefazodone, and rifampin.

Ativan may also interact with cold or allergy medicines, barbiturates, MAO inhibitors, and medicines to treat psychiatric disorders.

Do not stop using Ativan suddenly or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, including a seizure (convulsions).

Common side effects of BuSpar include:

• dizziness,
• headache,
• blurred vision,
• drowsiness,
• feeling tired
• feeling restless or nervous
• nausea,
• dry mouth,
• upset stomach
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• strange dreams;
• stuffy nose,
• sore throat; or
• ringing in your ears.

Common side effects of Ativan include:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Muscle weakness
• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Forgetfulness or amnesia
• Difficulty concentrating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Changes in appetite
• Skin rash

BuSpar (buspirone hydrochloride) tablets are indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety.

Ativan (lorazepam) is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety or anxiety associated with depressive symptoms. Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic.

BuSpar may interact with include monoamine inhibitors (MAOIs), trazodone, warfarin, erythromycin, itraconazole, nefazodone, and rifampin.

Ativan produces increased central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects when administered with other CNS depressants such as alcohol, barbiturates, antipsychotics, sedative/hypnotics, anxiolytics, antidepressants, narcotic analgesics, sedative antihistamines, anticonvulsants,and anesthetics

The use of clozapine and lorazepam may produce marked sedation, excessive salivation, hypotension, ataxia, delirium, and respiratory arrest.

BuSpar should be taken at the same time everyday. BuSpar should be taken either always with or always without food.

Ativan (lorazepam) is administered orally. For optimal results, dose, frequency of administration, and duration of therapy should be individualized according to patient response. To facilitate this, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg tablets are available.

The usual range is 2 to 6 mg/day given in divided doses, the largest dose being taken before bedtime, but the daily dosage may vary from 1 to 10 mg/day.

For anxiety, most patients require an initial dose of 2 to 3 mg/day given two or three times a day.

For insomnia due to anxiety or transient situational stress, a single daily dose of 2 to 4 mg may be given, usually at bedtime.

For elderly or debilitated patients, an initial dosage of 1 to 2 mg/day in divided doses is recommended, to be adjusted as needed and tolerated.

The dosage of Ativan (lorazepam) should be increased gradually when needed to help avoid adverse effects. When higher dosage is indicated, the evening dose should be increased before the daytime doses.