Oxazepam
- Generic Name: oxazepam tablets
- Brand Name: Oxazepam
- Drug Class: How Do Benzodiazepine Anxiolytics Work?
Oxazepam (Oxazepam Tablets) side effects drug center
Oxazepam Side Effects Center
What Is Oxazepam?
Oxazepam capsules are a benzodiazepine indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety associated with depression is also responsive to oxazepam therapy. Alcoholics with acute tremulousness, inebriation, or with anxiety, associated with alcohol withdrawal are responsive to therapy with oxazepam. Oxazepam is available in generic form.
What Are Side Effects of Oxazepam?
Common side effects of oxazepam include:
- temporary mild drowsiness in the first few days of therapy,
- dizziness,
- spinning sensation (vertigo), and
- headache.
Less common side effects of oxazepam include:
- fainting,
- nausea,
- lethargy,
- slurred speech,
- tremor,
- changes in sex drive,
- decreased blood pressure, and
- minor skin rashes.
Dosage for Oxazepam
The dose and frequency of oxazepam vary depending on the condition being treated. The usual dose of oxazepam to treat mild-to-moderate anxiety, with associated tension, irritability, agitation, or related symptoms of functional origin or secondary to organic disease is 10 to 15 mg, 3 or 4 times daily.
What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Oxazepam?
Oxazepam may interact with alcohol or other CNS-depressant drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Oxazepam During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using oxazepam; it is unknown how it will affect a fetus. Other drugs in this class are known to cause birth defects. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop taking oxazepam.
Additional Information
Our Oxazepam Capsules Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.
Oxazepam Consumer Information
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Oxazepam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication, alcohol, or other drugs that can slow your breathing. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have weak or shallow breathing, if you are hard to wake up, or if you stop breathing.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- severe drowsiness;
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- unusual changes in mood or behavior;
- confusion, anger, paranoia, problems with memory or concentration;
- tremors, slurred speech, problems with balance or muscle movement;
- a seizure;
- trouble breathing;
- fever, chills, sore throat; or
- upper stomach pain, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
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.
Common side effects may include:
- drowsiness;
- dizziness, spinning sensation; or
- headache.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Oxazepam (Oxazepam Tablets)
Oxazepam Professional Information
SIDE EFFECTS
The necessity for discontinuation of therapy due to undesirable effects has been rare. Transient, mild drowsiness is commonly seen In the first few days of therapy. If it persists, the dosage should be reduced. In few instances, dizziness, vertigo, headache, and rarely syncope have occurred either alone or together with drowsiness. Mild paradoxical reactions. i.e.., excitement, stimulation of affect, have been reported in psychiatric patients; these reactions may be secondary to relief of anxiety and usually appear in the first two weeks of therapy.
Other side effects occurring during oxazepam therapy include rare instances of nausea, lethargy, edema, slurred speech, tremor, altered libido, and minor diffuse skin rashes—morbilliform, urticarial, and maculopapular. Such side effects have been Infrequent and are generally controlled with reduction of dosage. A case of an extensive fixed drug eruption also has been reported.
Although rare, leukopenia and hepatic dysfunction including Jaundice have been reported during therapy. Periodic blood counts and liver-function tests are advisable.
Ataxia with oxazepam has been reported in rare instances and does not appear to be specifically related to dose or age.
Although the following side reactions have not as yet been reported with oxazepam, they have occurred with related compounds (chlordiazepoxide and diazepam): paradoxical excitation with severe rage reactions, hallucinations, menstrual irregularities, change In EEG pattern, blood dyscrasias including agranulocytosis, blurred vision, diplopia, incontinence, stupor, disorientation, fever, and euphoria.
Transient amnesia or memory impairment has been reported in association with the use of benzodiazepines.
Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Oxazepam (Oxazepam Tablets)
&Copy; Oxazepam Patient Information is supplied by Cerner Multum, Inc. and Oxazepam Consumer information is supplied by First Databank, Inc., used under license and subject to their respective copyrights.