Oxazepam

Pronunciation: ox-AZE-uh-pam
Generic Name: Oxazepam
Brand Name: Generic only. No brands available.

Oxazepam is used for:

Treating anxiety. It may also be used to treat alcohol withdrawal. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Oxazepam is a benzodiazepine. It works by affecting the brain to reduce nervous tension.

Do NOT use Oxazepam if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Oxazepam


• you are taking sodium oxybate (GHB)


• you have acute narrow-angle glaucoma, severe liver disease, or certain severe mood or mental problems (eg, psychosis)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

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Before using Oxazepam:

Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of glaucoma or a predisposition for glaucoma, liver problems, lung problems or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), muscle problems, depression, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, or the blood disease porphyria


• if you have a history of substance (eg, alcohol) abuse or dependence

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Oxazepam. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any of the following medicines.

• Clozapine, sodium oxybate (GHB), or valproic acid because they may increase the risk of Oxazepam's side effects


• Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Oxazepam

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Oxazepam may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Oxazepam:

Use Oxazepam as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Oxazepam by mouth with or without food.


• If you miss a dose of Oxazepam and you are using it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Oxazepam.

Important safety information:

• Oxazepam may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Oxazepam with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Oxazepam; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.


• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.


• Use Oxazepam with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially lightheadedness, particularly when standing.


• Oxazepam should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Oxazepam has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Oxazepam while you are pregnant. Oxazepam is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Oxazepam.

Some people who use Oxazepam for a long time may develop a need to continue taking it. People who take high doses are also at risk. This is known as DEPENDENCE or addiction. If you stop taking Oxazepam suddenly, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include convulsion, tremor, stomach and muscle cramps, vomiting, and sweating.

Possible side effects of Oxazepam:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Clumsiness; dizziness; excessive daytime drowsiness; feeling of a whirling motion; headache; lightheadedness; unsteadiness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; excitation; fainting; severe drowsiness; unusual weakness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Oxazepam side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include clumsiness; confusion; deep sleep; loss of consciousness; slow reflexes.

Proper storage of Oxazepam:

Store Oxazepam at room temperature, between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C). Store in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Oxazepam out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Oxazepam, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Oxazepam is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Oxazepam. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Oxazepam resources

• Oxazepam Side Effects (in more detail)
• Oxazepam Dosage
• Oxazepam Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Oxazepam Drug Interactions
• Oxazepam Support Group
• 13 Reviews for Oxazepam - Add your own review/rating

• Oxazepam Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Oxazepam Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Oxazepam Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• oxazepam Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• oxazepam Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Compare Oxazepam with other medications

• Alcohol Withdrawal
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