Oxazepam (By mouth)
ox-AZ-e-pam
Treats anxiety, anxiety with depression, and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.
Drug classes
Antianxiety (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Oxazepam is used to relieve symptoms of anxiety, including anxiety caused by depression, and the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. This medicine may also be used to treat tension, agitation, and irritability in older patients.
Oxazepam is a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines belong to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which are medicines that slow down the nervous system.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet, Capsule
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
If a dose is missed:
If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, take the missed dose as soon as possible unless you are more than 1 hour late.
If you are more than one hour late, skip the missed dose and return to your usual time to use your medicine.
Do not use extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Store at room temperature away from excess heat, moisture, and light.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Do not drink alcohol while using this medicine.
Talk with your doctor before using any medicine that makes you drowsy, such as sleeping pills, tranquilizers, pain killers, or cold or allergy medicines.
When Not To Use
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to oxazapam or other related medicines, such as Valium®, Librium®, or Halcion®.
Warnings
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor before using this medicine.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have glaucoma, liver disease, kidney disease, or lung disease before using this medicine.
This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.
Talk with your doctor before you stop using this medicine,especially if you have been using it for a long time or in large doses. The doctor may have you take smaller and smaller doses before you stop completely.
Older patients and children may have more severe side effects from this medicine.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Depressed mood or severe confusion
Muscle weakness or extreme unsteadiness
Hallucinations or changes in behavior
Irregular heart beat
Slurred speech
Difficulty breathing
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Drowsiness or tired feeling
Dizziness, clumsiness, difficulty concentrating
Memory loss
Dry mouth
Blurred vision
“Hangover” effect after bedtime use
Difficulty going to the bathroom (urinating)
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Serax
There may be other brand names for this medicine.