OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to assess patients' awareness of the adverse effects of anxiolytics and hypnotics and to evaluate if there is an additional need to educate patients about the adverse effects of these drugs. STUDY DESIGN: The study was designed as a cross-sectional study. STUDY PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Using an online survey, 80 adult male and female participants of different age groups were interwieved. Of the 80 subjects, 40 belonged to the control group not taking anxiolytics and hypnotics, and the remaining 40 subjects took anxiolytics and hypnotics. The enrolled participants were patients of three family physicians from Osijek. RESULTS: Anxiolytics and hypnotics were taken regularly by 8% of participants, and 58% of participants stated that they took them as recommended by the physician. Also, 68% of participants confirmed that their main source of information on drug adverse effects were physicians. The most common reason for taking anxiolytics and hypnotics was stress, which was cited by 35% of participants and insomnia and psychological difficulties stood out as other reasons. Diazepam was the most commonly used anxiolytic and was used by 48% of subjects, while alprazolam was reported by 38% and zolpidem by 23% of subjects. 79% of participants were aware of the adverse effects of anxiolytics and hypnotics and 71% of them reported at least one adverse effect on their own. However, 90% of participants did not know which drugs they should not take concomitantly with anxiolytics and hypnotics and 86% did not know how the adverse effects could be prevented . CONCLUSION: The participants in our survey were sufficiently informed about the adverse effects of anxiolytics and hypnotics, but there is still a need for education about the possible interactions of these drugs and ways to prevent adverse effects.