Acute exacerbation of psychosis with buspirone?

Abstract

We report a patient with schizophrenia who suffered an acute exacerbation of psychosis when treated with buspirone to alleviate anxiety. This psychotic reaction appeared to be dose dependent. Discontinuing buspirone resulted in a rapid improvement of psychotic symptoms. Re-introduction of buspirone at a modest dose helped to alleviate anxiety without exacerbating his schizophrenic symptoms. The other case studies of psychosis due to buspirone are reviewed and possible mechanisms for this association are discussed, particularly the role of dopamine and serotonin. © 1993, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.