Posted by Elizabeth on February 15, 2002, at 19:44:10
In reply to BUSPAR, works right away? is it like benzos? , posted by adamie on February 14, 2002, at 22:28:16
Hi. Buspar is not at all the same type of drug as Ativan, and it won't work right away as Ativan does. Buspar is more like an antidepressant than a tranquilizer: its primary effect is on serotonin rather than on GABA, and it takes several weeks to work. I've read some stuff that suggests that Buspar might take even longer to work than other antidepressants do, so be sure to give it a chance.
Buspar activates serotonin type 1a receptors. Buspar can work as an antidepressant, even in some types of very severe depression. The effective dose for depression will be higher than the recommended doses for anxiety: 45-90 mg instead of the usual 15-60 mg. At the higher end doses it appears to be about as effective as other antidepressants. Sometimes it's also combined with other antidepressants to augment them when there's a partial response; it's mainly been studied as an augmentor of SSRIs, in the lower dose range.
Buspar has been found to work for generalized anxiety, not necessarily for other anxiety disorders. In particular, it is not effective for panic disorder.
Were you taking Ativan frequently before going on the Buspar? How long had you been taking Ativan?
Remeron might be helpful to you, sure. It's not very clear for what specific types of depression and anxiety Remeron is most effective, but it's generally considered a good antidepressant. Like Buspar, though, it is not a substitute for Ativan.
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:94195
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020215/msgs/94338.html