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Medication

Buspirone (BuSpar)

BuSpar is the original brand name of buspirone, a psychiatric medication available by prescription only. It belongs to a class of medications called pre-synaptic serotonergic agonists and is primarily used to treat anxiety disorders. Unlike benzodiazepines, buspirone is not a controlled substance and does not carry the same risks of dependence.

Learn About Buspirone Treatment

Connect with a psychiatric clinician—online or in person—for an evaluation. If appropriate, buspirone (BuSpar) may be considered as part of a treatment plan.

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What Conditions Does BuSpar Treat?

FDA-Approved Uses:

Common Off-Label Uses:

How Psychiatric Medication Prescription Decisions Are Made

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Find a psychiatric clinician who meets your needs

Option 1

You can start by searching our psychiatrist directory to find a qualified provider who is accepting patients.

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Option 2

You may also choose to locate a nearby clinic and schedule your first appointment in person.

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2

Step 2: Meet one-on-one for a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation

During your first session, a psychiatric clinician will evaluate your symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals. If appropriate, they may discuss whether a medication such as buspirone could be included in your care plan. Treatment decisions always prioritize safety, clinical best practices, and your individual needs.

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Step 3: Begin treatment and ongoing monitoring

After a personalized treatment plan is created, your provider will monitor your progress and adjust the plan as needed. If medication is part of your care, then, if clinically appropriate, your provider may handle prescription renewals online during or after regular follow-ups as clinically appropriate in accordance with LifeStance treatment protocols.

290+ Insurances Accepted

Aetna
Anthem/Empire BCBS-Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem/Empire BCBS, Anthem Blue Cross-Medicare, Anthem BCBS-Medicare, Anthem BCBS-Medicaid, Anthem BCBS
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield-Medicare
Evernorth (Cigna)-Medicare, Evernorth (Cigna) (HealthPartners), Evernorth (Cigna)
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Highmark Blue Shield, Highmark Blue Shield-Medicare, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield-Medicare
Kaiser Permanente (Southeast)-Medicare, Kaiser Permanente Washington-Medicare, Kaiser Permanente (SoCal), Kaiser Permanente (Southeast), Kaiser Permanente Washington, Kaiser Permanente (Northwest)-Medicare, Kaiser Permanente (NorCal), Kaiser Permanente (Northwest)
Medicare
Optum, UnitedHealthcare, Optum, UnitedHealthcare-Medicaid, Optum, UnitedHealthcare-Medicare
Providence Health Plan, Providence Health Plan-Medicare
Quartz, Quartz-Medicaid, Quartz-Medicare
Quest Behavioral Health
Regence BlueCross BlueShield, Regence BlueCross BlueShield-Medicare
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Struggling with Anxiety?

Struggling with Anxiety?

Everyone’s experience with anxiety or depression is different. A psychiatrist may help you find the right treatment path—whether that includes buspirone (BuSpar) or another option that fits your needs. Discuss medication options with your treating provider.

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FAQs About BuSpar

The generic name for BuSpar is buspirone.

photo of LifeStance provider Joshua Nathan, MD

Medically Reviewed By:

Joshua Nathan, MD
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Dr. Joshua Nathan, a Board-Certified Psychiatrist, and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, sees stigma – from others and from ourselves - as the biggest challenge in mental illness treatment. He encourages people to not judge themselves on whatever problems they are facing, and he helps them feel safe to open up and allow for healing. Dr. Nathan takes joy in helping people with mental health concerns and values the trust patients place in him. Dr. Nathan treats adults struggling with mood and bipolar disorders, depression, ADHD, anxiety challenges such as panic disorder, agoraphobia, OCD, PTSD, and more. He listens to each person’s story, observes how they are faring, and shares his understanding of what is happening, so there is a basis for starting or continuing treatment. He considers medications as one tool among many for healing and recovery in mental health. During treatment, Dr. Nathan uses an eclectic framework for understanding mental illness and coping. Trained in psychoanalysis, he finds that existential understanding helps many people reduce suffering, but cognitive-behavioral techniques are more practical in helping people move forward. Thus, he typically employs a combination of theories and techniques, guided by the patient's problems, needs, and experiences. He is also an Official ADHD Evaluator for the National Football League. Dr. Nathan earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a medical doctorate from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and completed postgraduate residency training at Brown University. He works with adults of all ages, but has a special fondness for working with young and middle-age adults.

References

  1. Drugs.com. (n.d.). Buspirone prices, coupons, copay cards & patient assistance. Retrieved November 25, 2025, from https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/buspirone

  2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Drugs@FDA. Retrieved November 25, 2025, from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm

  3. For a comprehensive overview of these medications’ uses and risks, see the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug label.

In 2007, the FDA released a black box warning that antidepressants were correlated to the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 18–24) during short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric conditions. Gibbons et. al (2007) also published a study that found no evidence of antidepressant treatment increasing the risk of suicide attempts among its patients (ages 18-65+). The main message is that there is an inherent relationship between depression and suicidality so close monitoring of antidepressant-treated patients (especially children, adolescents, and young adults) is always necessary. For a comprehensive overview of these medications’ uses and risks, see the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug label.