What is the most common side effect of buspirone (an anxiolytic)?

Buspirone is a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic that acts as a partial agonist at serotonin 5-HT1A receptors. Unlike benzodiazepines, it does not cause sedation, physical dependence, or respiratory depression. The most common side effects of buspirone are dizziness, nausea, and headache — all typically mild and dose-dependent. Depression is listed as a rare side effect (occurs in <1% of patients). Buspirone is preferred over benzodiazepines in patients with substance abuse history because it has no addiction potential and does not cause significant CNS depression.