I take buspar for anxiety, for about a month now. I don't take any ADs. Buspar has not helped with my anxiety, but I've read it can affect people very differently. I am sticking with it as I like some of the effects it has on me. It gives me a real energy boost each day, and lightens my mood somewhat.

Because Buspar acts in the serotonin pathway (it also acts in the dopamine and norepinephrine paths), it can be used to augment the effects of SSRI ADs. Maybe that is why you were given it in tandem with Effexor.

Buspar can take several weeks to reach its true effectiveness, so unless it is unbearable, don't abandon it after a few days (I was tempted as my side effects were intense).