What is oxazepam?
Oxazepam is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens).
Oxazepam affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.
Oxazepam is used to treat anxiety disorders or alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Oxazepam may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking oxazepam?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to oxazepam or to other
benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate
(Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), or lorazepam (Ativan).
Before taking oxazepam, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
-
glaucoma;
-
asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathing problems;
-
kidney or liver disease;
-
a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior; or
-
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take this medication.
Oxazepam can cause birth defects in an unborn baby.
Do not
use oxazepam without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become
pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this
medication.
Oxazepam may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
The sedative effects of oxazepam may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are
common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental
injury while you are taking oxazepam.
How should I take oxazepam?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from
this medication.
Oxazepam should be used for only a short time. Do not take this medication for
longer than 4 months without your doctor's advice.
Oxazepam may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the person it
was prescribed for
. Oxazepam should never be shared with another person, especially
someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place
where others cannot get to it.
Contact your doctor if this medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your
symptoms.
Do not stop using oxazepam suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may
need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
Your symptoms may return when you stop using oxazepam after using it over a long
period of time. You may also have seizures or withdrawal symptoms when you stop using
oxazepam. Withdrawal symptoms may include tremor, sweating, trouble sleeping, muscle
cramps, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior, and seizure
(convulsions).
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your doctor will need to check
your progress on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Store oxazepam at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine.
Benzodiazepines are drugs of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is
using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose of oxazepam?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do
not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about oxazepam?
Your pharmacist has information about oxazepam written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of oxazepam?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
confusion;
-
unusual risk-taking behavior, decreased inhibitions, no fear
of danger;
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hyperactivity, agitation, hostility;
-
hallucinations;
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feeling lightheaded, fainting;
-
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
-
problems with urination.
Less serious side effects may include:
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drowsiness, dizziness;
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amnesia or forgetfulness, trouble concentrating;
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slurred speech;
-
swelling;
-
headache;
-
skin rash;
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nausea, vomiting, constipation;
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irregular menstrual periods; or
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loss of interest in sex.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about oxazepam?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to oxazepam or to other
benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate
(Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), or lorazepam (Ativan).
This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use
oxazepam if you are pregnant.
Before taking oxazepam, tell your doctor if you have any breathing problems, glaucoma,
porphyria, kidney or liver disease, or a history of depression, suicidal thoughts, or addiction to
drugs or alcohol.
Do not drink alcohol while taking oxazepam. This medication can increase the
effects of alcohol.
Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy. They can add to sleepiness caused by
oxazepam.
Oxazepam may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the person it
was prescribed for
. Oxazepam should never be shared with another person, especially
someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place
where others cannot get to it.
What should I avoid while taking oxazepam?
Do not drink alcohol while taking oxazepam. This medication can increase the
effects of alcohol.
Oxazepam can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold
or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for
seizures or depression). They can add to sleepiness caused by oxazepam.
What other drugs will affect oxazepam?
Before taking oxazepam, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol),
mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
-
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate);
-
medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as
chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), mesoridazine (Serentil), pimozide (Orap), or
thioridazine (Mellaril);
-
narcotic medications such as butorphanol (Stadol),
codeine, hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin), levorphanol (Levo-Dromoran), meperidine (Demerol),
methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph), naloxone
(Narcan), oxycodone (OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet); or
-
antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon),
amoxapine (Asendin), citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin),
doxepin (Sinequan), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox),
imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), protriptyline
(Vivactil), sertraline (Zoloft), or trimipramine (Surmontil).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with oxazepam. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you
use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors.
Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of oxazepam?
