Double-blind comparison of buspirone 10 mg bid versus buspirone 5 mg tid in generalized anxiety disorder

Buspirone, a nonsedative anxiolytic agent, was administered to 40 consecutive outpatients suffering from generalized anxiety disorder. After a washout period, patients were randomly assigned to receive buspirone, either 5 mg three times a day or 10 mg twice a day, for 6 weeks. A significant improvement was found for those receiving 20 mg daily as compared with those on 15 mg daily, but there were more adverse reactions with the 20-mg daily regimen. These findings have clinical implications for optimal treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, and further research should be carried out to assess the optimal dosage of buspirone for the treatment of this disorder.