Effect of buspirone on blood sugar levels in humans

Psychiatric disorders such as depression, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders are seen more common in diabetic patients. The present study investigated the effect of an antianxiety drug, buspirone on blood glucose and plasma insulin level in healthy humans. Twelve healthy adult male volunteers were administered single oral doses of buspirone (10 mg) or placebo, in a randomized, crossover way, followed by oral glucose challenge (75 g in 200 ml) at reported T_max of the respective administered drugs. The blood samples were collected as predose, postdose and post oral glucose load at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 h. Blood glucose and plasma insulin concentrations were estimated by glucose hexokinase and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay methods respectively. The concentration of blood glucose was significantly ( p < 0.05) decreased after oral glucose challenge following administration of buspirone in comparison with placebo. However no significant change was observed in the fasting blood glucose and fasting and oral glucose challenge induced plasma insulin. These results suggest that buspirone may have important risks particularly for diabetics, glucose intolerant and nondiabetics who are on long therapy with buspirone.