Test Your Knowledge

Patients who take benzodiazepines often experience drowsiness and impaired motor function. In addition, gastrointestinal discomfort may occur that results in constipation, diarrhea, vomiting and changes in appetite.

Patients who take buspirone may experience drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness or nervousness. In addition, they may experience blurred vision and many of the gastrointestinal side effects associated with benzodiazepines.

Drowsiness and impaired motor function may result from taking antihistamines. Bradycardia (slowness of heart rate), fatigue and dizziness may result from taking beta blockers. Drowsiness, constipation and orthostatic hypertension (sudden fall in blood pressure upon standing) may result from taking clonidine. Asthenia (loss of body strength), vasodilation (dilation of blood vessels) and abdominal pain may result from taking tiagabine.

Other general side effects associated with anti-anxiety medications include:

• Balance problems and dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Long-term memory problems
• Nausea
• Reduced muscle coordination

Patients whose nervous systems adapt to the presence of certain anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines may experience withdrawal symptoms if they try to quit using a drug too quickly. In addition, patients who have tapered off a medication without experiencing side effects sometimes suddenly experience side effects once they reach the last dosage level before quitting the drug.  The reason for this remains unknown.

Mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms may include anxiety, restlessness, insomnia or nightmares. More serious symptoms associated with the benzodiazepines can include seizures, high fever, psychosis and even death. For this reason, patients should closely follow a physician’s recommendations when quitting use of these medications.