BuSpar vs. Valium

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

BuSpar (buspirone) and Valium (diazepam) are antianxiety agents prescribed to treat anxiety.

Valium is also used to treat seizures, muscle spasms, and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

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

Side effects of BuSpar and Valium that are similar include dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, feeling tired, blurred or double vision, restlessness, and dry mouth.

Side effects of BuSpar that are different from Valium include headache, nervousness, lightheadedness, upset stomach, stuffy nose, sore throat, ringing in the ears, excitement, and sleep problems (insomnia or strange dreams).

Side effects of Valium that are different from BuSpar include spinning sensation, fatigue, constipation, loss of balance, memory problems, irritability, muscle weakness, drooling, slurred speech, skin rash, itching, or loss of interest in sex.

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

Do not stop using Valium suddenly, or you could have increased seizures or unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

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 Valium include:

• drowsiness,
• tired feeling,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• fatigue,
• constipation,
• ataxia (loss of balance),
• memory problems,
• restlessness,
• irritability,
• muscle weakness,
• nausea,
• drooling,
• dry mouth,
• slurred speech,
• blurred or double vision,
• skin rash,
• itching, or
• loss of interest in sex.

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

Valium is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety. 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.

Centrally Acting Agents

If Valium is to be combined with other centrally acting agents, careful consideration should be given to the pharmacology of the agents employed particularly with compounds that may potentiate or be potentiated by the action of Valium, such as phenothiazines, antipsychotics, anxiolytics/sedatives, hypnotics, anticonvulsants, narcotic analgesics, anesthetics, sedative antihistamines, narcotics, barbiturates, MAO inhibitors and other antidepressants.

Alcohol

Concomitant use with alcohol is not recommended due to enhancement of the sedative effect.

Antacids

Diazepam peak concentrations are 30% lower when antacids are administered concurrently. However, there is no effect on the extent of absorption. The lower peak concentrations appear due to a slower rate of absorption, with the time required to achieve peak concentrations on average 20 - 25 minutes greater in the presence of antacids. However, this difference was not statistically significant.

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

Take Valium exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much Valium to take and when to take it.

Talk to your healthcare provider about slowly stopping Valium to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

If you take too much Valium, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.