There are two types of medications that are designed to treat only anxiety. The oldest type is the benzodiazepine group. Buspar is a different type of medication. It does not have the anticonvulsant or muscle relaxant side effects that benzodiazepines do. It also does not cause the sedation, or drowsiness, many other anxiety medications cause.

Doctors are not sure exactly how Buspar relieves the symptoms of anxiety, but experts believe that symptoms of GAD may result from an imbalance of a brain chemical called serotonin. They also believe that Buspar somehow brings the serotonin levels back into balance.

However, these effects occur gradually over time, so Buspar cannot be used only on an "as needed" basis. It must be taken consistently for at least 2 weeks to begin to see the full effects and continued for as long as directed by a doctor; otherwise the symptoms may come back.