Oxazepam

Oxazepam is a prescription medication used to treat anxiety, including symptoms of anxiety caused by alcohol withdrawal.

Oxazepam belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. These work by slowing activity in the brain, which allows for relaxation.

This medication comes in capsule form and is taken 3 to 4 times a day. It may be taken with or without food.

Common side effects of oxazepam include tiredness, weakness, dry mouth, and upset stomach.

Oxazepam can also cause blurred vision, drowsiness, and dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how oxazepam affects you.

Oxazepam is a prescription medication used to treat anxiety, including symptoms of anxiety caused by alcohol withdrawal. Oxazepam has been used to treat symptoms of anxiety related to depression, as well as irritable bowel syndrome.

Oxazepam is not indicated for use in psychoses.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Oxazepam may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Serax

Serious side effects have been reported with oxazepam. See the “Oxazepam Precautions” section.

Common side effects of oxazepam include the following:

• drowsiness
• tiredness
• weakness
• dry mouth
• diarrhea
• upset stomach
• changes in appetite
• restlessness or excitement
• constipation
• difficulty urinating
• frequent urination
• blurred vision
• changes in sex drive or ability

This is not a complete list of oxazepam side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• levodopa (Larodopa, Sinemet)
• medication for depression, seizures, Parkinson's disease, pain, asthma, colds, or allergies
• muscle relaxants
• oral contraceptives
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• probenecid (Benemid)
• rifampin (Rifadine)
• sedatives
• sleeping pills
• theophylline (Theo-Dur)
• tranquilizers

This is not a complete list of oxazepam drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with oxazepam including the following:

• Low blood pressure (hypotension). Oxazepam should be used cautiously in patients who have cardiac complications that could be worsened by low blood pressure. Elderly patients are especially vulnerable to changes in blood pressure.
• Dependence. Benzodiazepines, such as oxazepam, may cause physical and psychological dependence. Patients should not change the dose or abruptly stop taking oxazepam without talking to their health care provider.
• Rare but serious side effects of oxazepam include the following:
  • shuffling walk
  • persistent, fine tremor or inability to sit still
  • fever
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • severe skin rash
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • irregular heartbeat

Oxazepam can also cause blurred vision, drowsiness, and dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how oxazepam affects you.

Do not take oxazepam if you are allergic to oxazepam or to any of its ingredients.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of oxazepam, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking oxazepam, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to oxazepam or to any of its ingredients
• have glaucoma
• have or have had seizures
• have liver disease
• have heart disease
• have lung disease
• if you smoke or drink alcohol
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

An increased risk of congenital malformations associated with the use of benzodiazepines during the first trimester of pregnancy has been suggested in several studies. Oxazepam, a benzodiazepine derivative, has not been studied adequately to determine whether it, too, may be associated with an increased risk of fetal abnormality. Because use of these drugs is rarely a matter of urgency, their use during this period should almost always be avoided. The possibility that a woman of childbearing potential may be pregnant at the time of starting therapy should be considered. Patients should be advised that if they become pregnant during therapy or intend to become pregnant, they should communicate with their physician about discontinuing the drug.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if oxazepam crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using oxazepam.

Take oxazepam exactly as prescribed.

Oxazepam comes in capsule form and is taken 3 or 4 times a day. It can be taken with or without food.

The effectiveness of long-term use (greater than 4 months) of oxazepam has not been established. Your physician should periodically reassess the usefulness of this drug for your condition.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take 2 doses of oxazepam at the same time.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication

Because of the flexibility of this product and the range of conditions responsive to it, dosage should be individualized for maximum beneficial effects.

Typical dosages of oxazepam range from 10 to 30 mg 3 to 4 times daily.

If you take too much oxazepam, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If oxazepam is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

• Store oxazepam at room temperature. Protect from exposure to moisture and light.
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.