Buspirone is an anxiolytic psychoactive drug of the azapirone chemical class. It is primarily used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Unlike most drugs predominately used to treat anxiety, buspirone's pharmacology is not related to benzodiazepines or barbiturates, and so does not carry the risk of withdrawal symptoms those drug classes are known for when discontinued. Buspirone's efficacy is comparable to that of members of the benzodiazepine family in treating GAD, although it tends to have a delayed onset of action. Abrupt discontinuation of diazepam after 6 weeks of continuous administration resulted in withdrawal symptoms. This was not the case when administration of buspirone was ceased after six weeks. It may take several weeks before buspirone's anxiolytic effects become noticeable, and many patients may also need a higher dosage to adequately respond to treatment.
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