What is the most common side effect experienced with benzodiazepines?

Benzodiazepines are central nervous system (CNS) depressants frequently prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, and various other conditions. The most common side effect associated with their use is drowsiness. This sedative effect comes from the way benzodiazepines enhance the action of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which inhibits brain activity and leads to relaxation and sleepiness.

Drowsiness can have significant implications for daily functioning, as it may impair motor skills, cognitive function, and overall alertness, making patients more prone to accidents or errors in judgment. Thus, it's important for both patients and healthcare providers to be aware of this common side effect when prescribing or taking benzodiazepines.

While other choices such as diaphoresis, tachycardia, and schizophrenia may occur under certain circumstances or with specific patient populations, they are not as universally experienced or are less common compared to drowsiness.