Diazepam has a range of side effects that are general to most benzodiazepines. Most general side effects include:

• Somnolence
• Cognitive deficits
• Impaired coordination
• Depression
• Reflex tachycardia
• Suppression of REM sleep
• Impaired motor function
• Impaired balance
• Dizziness and nausea
• Impaired learning
• Anterograde amnesia (especially pronounced in higher doses)
• Less general paradoxical side-effects can include nervousness, insomnia, muscle cramps, irritability changes in libido and in sometimes, rage, and violence. Diazepam may increase, in some people, the tendency to self-harming behaviors and, in extreme cases, may provoke suicidal tendencies or acts. Or sometimes dystonia. Diazepam impair learning and memory via their action on benzodiazepine receptors, which causes a dysfunction in the cholinergic neuronal system.
• Diazepam may impair the ability to drive vehicles. The worsening is worsened by consumption of alcohol, because both act as central nervous system depressants.
• Patients with censorious attacks of apnea during sleep may suffer respiratory depression leading to respiratory arrest and death.
• Diazepam in doses of 5 mg or more causes significant deterioration in alertness actions combined with increased feelings of sleepiness.