Buspar vs. Zoloft

• Are Buspar and Zoloft the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Buspar? (Side effects)
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Zoloft? (Side effects)
• What is Buspar? (Uses)
• What is Zoloft? (Uses)
• What Drugs Interact with Buspar? (Interactions)
• What Drugs Interact with Zoloft? (Interactions)
• How Should Buspar Be Taken? (Dosage)
• How Should Zoloft Be Taken? (Dosage)

Buspar (buspirone) and Zoloft (sertraline) are both drugs used to treat anxiety. The difference is that Zoloft is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) antidepressant prescribed for the treatment of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Common side effects of Buspar include:

• dizziness,
• nausea,
• headache,
• nervousness,
• lightheadedness,
• drowsiness,
• feeling tired,
• blurred vision,
• restlessness,
• dry mouth,
• upset stomach,
• stuffy nose,
• sore throat,
• ringing in the ears,
• excitement, and
• sleep problems (insomnia or strange dreams).

Common side effects of Zoloft include:

• sleepiness
• drowsiness
• tired feeling
• nervousness
• sleep problems (insomnia)
• dizziness
• nausea
• skin rash
• headache
• diarrhea
• constipation
• upset stomach
• stomach pain
• dry mouth
• changes in appetite
• abnormal ejaculation
• impotence
• decreased sex drive
• difficulty having an orgasm
• dry mouth, and
• weight loss.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Zoloft including:

• very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, feeling like you might pass out;
• agitation, hallucinations, fever, overactive reflexes, tremors;
• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling unsteady, loss of coordination;
• trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing, or breathing that stops.

Buspar (buspirone) is an antianxiety agent prescribed for the treatment of anxiety.

Zoloft (sertraline) is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) antidepressant prescribed for the treatment of depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

It is recommended that buspirone hydrochloride tablets not be used concomitantly with MAO inhibitors

Who should not take Zoloft?

Do not take Zoloft if you:

• take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure if you take an MAOI, including the antibiotic linezolid.
• have taken an MAOI within 2 weeks of stopping Zoloft unless directed to do so by your healthcare provider.
• have stopped taking an MAOI in the last 2 weeks unless directed to do so by your healthcare provider.
• take any other medicines that contain sertraline (such as sertraline HCl or sertraline hydrochloride).
• take the antipsychotic medicine pimozide (Orap®) because this can cause serious heart problems.
• are allergic to sertraline or any of the ingredients in Zoloft. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in Zoloft.
• take Antabuse® (disulfiram) (if you are taking the liquid form of Zoloft) due to the alcohol content.

Buspar is normally taken short-term for 3 to 4 weeks. Zoloft is intended for long-term use, and may start working in as short as 2 weeks, but the full effect of the drug may not be seen for up to 3 months.

Response to buspirone varies among individuals. Your physician may find it necessary to adjust your dosage to obtain the proper response.

Each tablet is scored and can be broken accurately.

To break a tablet accurately and easily, hold the tablet between your thumbs and index fingers close to the appropriate tablet score (groove). Then, with the tablet score facing you, apply pressure and snap the tablet segments apart (segments breaking incorrectly should not be used).

Take Zoloft exactly as prescribed. Your healthcare provider may need to change the dose of Zoloft until it is the right dose for you.

Zoloft Tablets may be taken with or without food.

Zoloft Oral Solution may look cloudy or hazy after mixing, this is normal.

Zoloft Oral Solution must be diluted before use:

Do not mix Zoloft until you are ready to take it.

When diluting Zoloft Oral Solution, use only water, ginger ale, lemon/lime soda, lemonade, or orange juice.

The oral dropper contains latex. If you are sensitive or allergic to latex, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about the best way to measure your medicine.

If you miss a dose of Zoloft, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.Do not take two doses of Zoloft at the same

time.

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