Benzodiazepines: Side Effects and Toxicity

• At low doses symptoms can include sedation, drowsiness, ataxia, lethargy, mental confusion, motor and cognitive impairments, disorientation, slurred speech, amnesia, dementia, etc.

• At high doses mental and psychomotor dysfunction can progress to hypnosis (i.e., pass out)

  • Respiration is not seriously depressed, unless benzo is taken concurrently with another CNS depressant (i.e., alcohol)

• Sleep patterns can be altered dramatically

  • Short-acting agents taken at bedtime can result in both early-morning wakening and rebound insomnia the following night

  • Long-acting agents taken at bedtime can result in daytime sedation the following day

• Cognitive impacts are considerable:

  • Inhibition of learning behaviors, academic performance, and psychomotor functioning common

    • These symptoms can persist long after treatment is discontinued

Category: Pharmacology Notes