buspirone

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Decisions about medication use during pregnancy or breastfeeding should be made with your healthcare provider.

Can taking buspirone affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?

It is not known whether buspirone can make it harder to get pregnant. If you have concerns about fertility while taking buspirone, it is best to discuss them with your healthcare provider.

Does taking buspirone increase the risk of miscarriage?

Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. The fact sheet notes that studies have not been done to see if buspirone can increase the chance of miscarriage. Any concerns should be discussed with your healthcare provider.

Does taking buspirone increase the risk of birth defects?

About 3 out of 100 babies are born with a birth defect in the general population. According to the fact sheet, it is not known if buspirone increases this chance, though information from a pregnancy registry found no birth defects among 72 infants exposed to buspirone during pregnancy. Your healthcare provider can help you weigh this information for your situation.

Can taking buspirone during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?

The fact sheet states that studies have not been done to see if buspirone can increase the chance of pregnancy-related problems such as preterm delivery or low birth weight. There is a single report of an infant with symptoms such as decreased growth, tremors, low muscle tone, low blood sugar, and feeding difficulty, but the infant was exposed to multiple factors, so it is not known if buspirone was responsible. Let your healthcare providers know you are taking buspirone so the baby can be monitored if needed.

Can taking buspirone during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?

According to the fact sheet, studies have not been done to see if buspirone can increase the chance of behavior or learning issues for the child. This is something to discuss with your healthcare provider when considering your treatment options.

Is it safe to breastfeed while taking buspirone?

Information on buspirone use during breastfeeding is limited; the fact sheet notes that buspirone passes into breast milk in small amounts. One report described no short-term side effects in an 11-week-old infant whose mother was taking buspirone with another medication, while another report described seizure-like activity in a 3-week-old infant exposed to multiple medications, though the authors felt buspirone was unlikely to be the cause. The product label suggests avoiding buspirone while breastfeeding if possible, but the benefits may outweigh possible risks—your healthcare provider can help you decide what is best for you and your baby.

Source: National Library of Medicine