A patient diagnosed with an anxiety disorder is prescribed a benzodiazepine. When teaching the patient about the medication, which of the following information would the healthcare provider include?

Benzodiazepines increase the effects of GABA. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Decreased anxiety and a feeling of drowsiness are expected effects of benzodiazepines. Patients should be advised of a possible paradoxical reaction of restlessness or agitation.