What is "buspirone"

n. An anxiolytic agent and serotonin receptor agonist of the azaspirodecanedione class of compounds.

n. a drug (trade name BuSpar) designed specifically for anxiety [syn: BuSpar]

Buspirone , trade name Buspar, is an anxiolytic psychotropic drug of the azapirone chemical class. It is primarily used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Unlike most drugs predominantly used to treat anxiety, buspirone's pharmacology is not related to benzodiazepines or barbiturates, and so does not carry the risk of physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms for which those drug classes are known.

Buspirone was first identified by a team at Mead Johnson in 1972, but was not patented until 1975.

In 1986, Bristol-Myers Squibb gained Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for buspirone in the treatment of GAD. The patent placed on buspirone expired in 2001 and buspirone is now available as a generic drug.