BuSpar vs. Ativan

Are Ativan and BuSpar the Same Thing?

BuSpar(buspirone) andAtivan(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 strangedreams).

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 oramnesia, 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 withgrapefruitand grapefruit juice, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs),trazodone,warfarin,erythromycin, itraconazole, nefazodone, andrifampin.

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

Do not stop using Ativan suddenly or you could have unpleasantwithdrawal symptoms, including aseizure(convulsions).

What Are Possible Side Effects of BuSpar?

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,
  • sorethroat; or
  • ringing in your ears.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Ativan?

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

What Is BuSpar?

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

What Is Ativan?

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 thestressof everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic.

What Drugs Interact With BuSpar?

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

What Drugs Interact With Ativan?

Ativan produces increasedcentral nervous system(中枢神经系统)管理时不能有镇静作用的影响her CNS depressants such as alcohol, barbiturates, antipsychotics,sedative/hypnotics, anxiolytics,antidepressants,narcoticanalgesics, sedativeantihistamines, anticonvulsants,and anesthetics

The use ofclozapineand lorazepam may produce marked sedation, excessive salivation,低血压,ataxia,delirium, and respiratory arrest.

How Should BuSpar Be Taken?

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

How Should Ativan Be Taken?

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.

Disclaimer

All drug information provided on RxList.com is sourced directly from drug monographs published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Any drug information published on RxList.com regarding general drug information, drug side effects, drug usage, dosage, and more are sourced from the original drug documentation found in its FDA drug monograph.

Drug information found in the drug comparisons published on RxList.com is primarily sourced from the FDA drug information. The drug comparison information found in this article does not contain any data from clinical trials with human participants or animals performed by any of the drug manufacturers comparing the drugs.

The drug comparisons information provided does not cover every potential use, warning, drug interaction, side effect, or adverse or allergic reaction. RxList.com assumes no responsibility for any healthcare administered to a person based on the information found on this site.

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You may also report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA by visiting the FDA MedWatch website or calling 1-800-FDA-1088.

References

FDA. BuSpar Drug Information.
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/018731s051lbl.pdf

FDA. Ativan Drug Information.

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/017794s044lbl.pdf

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