This is a list of some side effects patients may experience when taking benzodiazepines like Valium (diazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Tranxene (clorazepate dipotassium), Onfi (clobazam), Librium (chlordiazepoxide) and Ativan (lorazepam). Unless noted, all side effects are taken from the FDA pamphlets.
A
abdominal or stomach pain
acid reflux
aggression
agitation
akathisia
Alzheimer’s Disease
amnesia
anemia
anxiety treatment interference
B
black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
blistering, flaking, or peeling of the skin
blood in the urine or stools
bluish lips or skin
blurred vision
brain damage
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles, or tingling feelings
C
cancer
car accidents
catatonia
change in consciousness
changes in patterns and rhythms of speech
chills
cognitive dysfunction
coma
confusion
confusion about identity, place, and time
convulsions
cough or hoarseness
cystitis
D
dark urine
decrease interest in sexual intercourse
decrease in the frequency of urination
decreased urine output
delirium
delirium tremens-like state
depersonalization
depression
derealization
diarrhea
difficulty with breathing or swallowing
difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
difficulty with speaking
discouragement
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
drooling
dry mouth
dysdiadochokinesis
E
environment seems unreal
excitation
F
falling in elderly
false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
false or unusual sense of well-being
fast or irregular breathing
fast or irregular heartbeat
feeling sad or empty
feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior
feeling that others can hear your thoughts
feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there
fever with or without chills
G
general deterioration
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
H
hair loss or thinning of the hair
halos around lights
headache
hirsutism
hives, itching, or rash
hyper excitability
hyperventilation
I
inability to have or keep an erection
inability to move the eyes
increased blinking
increased muscle spasms or tone
increased thirst
indigestion
infection
insulin sensitivity
irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
irritability
itching or rash
L
lack of memory of what takes place after a certain event
loss of appetite
loss of balance control
loss of bladder control
loss of consciousness
loss of interest or pleasure
loss of memory
loss of voice
M
muscle pain or cramps
muscle trembling, jerking or stiffness
N
nasal congestion
nausea or vomiting
need to keep moving (akathisia)
neuropathy
night blindness
nightmares
not breathing
O
overbright appearance of lights
osteoporotic changes
osteoporosis
overbright appearance of lights
overdose with opioids
P
painful or difficult urination
pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
palpitations
panic
paranoia
parkinson’s treatment interference
pinpoint red spots on the skin
problems with memory
psoriasis
PTSD treatment interference
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
R
rapid weight gain
reddening of the skin, especially around ears
restlessness
S
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
seizures
shaking
shuffling walk
sleep apnea
slurred speech
sore throat
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
stiffness of the limbs
styles
suicide
suicide ideation
sweating
swelling of the eyes or inside of the nose
swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
swollen glands
T
thoughts or attempts at killing oneself
tightness in the chest
thrombocytopenia
tolerance
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping
trouble speaking
tunnel vision
twisting movements of body
twitching, twisting, or uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
U
uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs
ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back
unexplained bleeding or bruising
unpleasant breath odor
unusual behavior
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
V
vomiting of blood
Y
yellow eyes or skin