Benzodiazepine Side Effects

The documented risks of these drugs are provided so the public can make informed, educated decisions. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration warns that benzodiazepines can bring about hostility, as well as physical dependence. Benzodiazepines include Ativan, Halcion, Klonopin, Restoril, Valium and Xanax.

To see the total figures from IQVia on the number of people taking antianxiety drugs in the U.S., click here.

Please note: No one should attempt to get off of psychiatric drugs without a doctor’s supervision. To help find medical practitioners in your area, click here.


Benzodiazepine Drug Warnings:

There have been 27 warnings from 5 countries (Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States) warning that benzodiazepines cause harmful side effects. These include the following (note that some warnings cite more than one side effect, so the list below may not be equal to the total number of warnings):

11 warnings on benzodiazepines causing impaired driving or sleep-driving
5 warnings on benzodiazepines causing cognitive impairment
5 warnings on benzodiazepines causing sleep problems
5 warnings on benzodiazepines causing sleepwalking
3 warnings on benzodiazepines causing hallucinations
3 warnings on benzodiazepines causing depression
3 warnings on benzodiazepines causing amnesia
3 warnings on benzodiazepines causing swelling
3 warnings on benzodiazepines causing allergic reactions
2 warnings on benzodiazepines causing suicide risk or attempts
2 warnings on benzodiazepines causing drug abuse
2 warnings on benzodiazepines causing withdrawal reactions
1 warning on benzodiazepines causing death or increased risk of death
1 warning on benzodiazepines causing hostility or aggression
1 warning on benzodiazepines causing abnormal behavior
1 warning on benzodiazepines causing abnormal bleeding
1 warning on benzodiazepines causing anxiety
1 warning on benzodiazepines causing liver problems
1 warning on benzodiazepines causing newborn complications
1 warning on benzodiazepines causing risk of falls
1 warning on benzodiazepines causing risk of fractures
1 warning on benzodiazepines causing lack of efficacy

Benzodiazepine Drug Studies:

There have been 65 studies from 15 countries (Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom and United States) showing that benzodiazepines cause harmful side effects. These include the following (note that some studies cite more than one side effect, so the list below may not be equal to the total number of studies):

10 studies on benzodiazepines causing death or increased risk of death
9 studies on benzodiazepines causing risk of fractures
6 studies on benzodiazepines causing dementia
5 studies on benzodiazepines causing risk of falls
5 studies on benzodiazepines causing impaired driving or sleep-driving
4 studies on benzodiazepines causing suicide risk or attempts
4 studies on benzodiazepines causing cancer
3 studies on benzodiazepines causing violence
3 studies on benzodiazepines causing aggression
3 studies on benzodiazepines causing cardiovascular disorders
2 studies on benzodiazepines causing homicidal ideation
2 studies on benzodiazepines causing stroke
2 studies on benzodiazepines causing cognitive impairment
2 studies on benzodiazepines causing pneumonia
2 studies on benzodiazepines causing newborn complications
2 studies on benzodiazepines causing premature birth
1 study on benzodiazepines causing tumors
1 study on benzodiazepines causing liver problems
1 study on benzodiazepines causing sedation
1 study on benzodiazepines causing sleepwalking
1 study on benzodiazepines causing withdrawal reactions

This brochure is a simple guide that documents the dangerous and deadly side effects of the drugs prescribed to millions of men, women and children diagnosed with bogus mental disorders.