Side Effects of
Benzodiazepines

Side effects

 
Short term side effects may include:

• Upset stomach, vomiting or diarrhea
• Drowsiness 
• Confusion
• Headache / dizziness / poor balance
• Slows breathing and can cause breathing to stop in some cases
• Unexpected (paradoxical) reactions like agitation and aggression

Long term side effects may include:

• Tolerance / addiction
• Mood changes
• Cognition changes
• Increase in falls leading to hip fractures
• Increase in drowsiness leading to increases in motor vehicle accidents

These side effects can occur in anyone with any of the benzodiazepine medications.