What are common withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepines?

Benzodiazepines, which are commonly used for their anxiolytic and sedative effects, can lead to withdrawal symptoms when usage is decreased or stopped suddenly after prolonged use. Among the symptoms, anxiety and irritability are particularly prominent, as these drugs often address these very issues in the first place.

Seizures can occur as a serious withdrawal symptom because benzodiazepines enhance the effects of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which has an inhibitory effect on the nervous system. When benzodiazepines are discontinued, the sudden lack of this inhibition can lead to an excitatory state, resulting in seizures, especially in those who have been on high doses or used them for an extended time.

In contrast, the other options primarily involve symptoms that may not be as closely associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal. While headaches, nausea, dizziness, weight loss, insomnia, fatigue, and muscle cramps can occur in various withdrawal or withdrawal-like syndromes, they are not as characteristic or severe as the symptoms of anxiety, irritability, and seizures that specifically relate to benzodiazepine withdrawal.