Oxazepam

oxazepam is a drug used to treat anxiety, sleeping disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, and the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. It belongs to the family of drugs called benzodiazepines.

Oxazepam

Information about Oxazepam

Oxazepam is an orally available benzodiazepine used in the therapy of anxiety and acute alcohol withdrawal syndromes.

Liver safety of Oxazepam

As with most benzodiazepines, oxazepam therapy has not been associated with serum aminotransferase or alkaline phosphatase elevations, and clinically apparent liver injury from oxazepam has not been reported and must be very rare, if it occurs at all.

Mechanism of action of Oxazepam

Oxazepam (ox az' e pam) is a benzodiazepine that is used largely in the therapy of anxiety and alcohol withdrawal states.  The antianxiety (anxiolytic) activity of the benzodiazepines is mediated by their ability to enhance gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) mediated inhibition of synaptic transmission through binding to the GABA A receptor. 

FDA approval information for Oxazepam

Oxazepam was approved in the United States in 1965 and currently is still in use, but has been replaced in large part by other benzodiazepines with better pharmacokinetics and tolerance. 

Current indications are for management of anxiety disorders and acute alcohol withdrawal and it is considered particularly useful in older patients. 

Dosage and administration for Oxazepam

Oxazepam is available in capsules or tablets of 10, 15 and 30 mg in several generic forms and formerly under the brand name Serax.  The recommended oral dose for adults is 10 to15 mg three to four times daily.  Somewhat higher doses are used for the severe anxiety of alcohol withdrawal states. 

Side effects of Oxazepam

The most common side effects of oxazepam are dose related and include drowsiness, lethargy, ataxia, dysarthria and dizziness.  Tolerance develops to these side effects, but tolerance may also develop to the effects on anxiety.

• Dailymed label info on Oxazepam
• FDA Oxazepam

Oxazepam Resources
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Benzodiazipines

• Alprazolam
• Chlordiazepoxide
• Diazepam (Oral)
• Estazolam
• Flurazepam
• Lorazepam
• Midazolam
• Oxazepam
• Quazepam
• Temazepam
• Triazolam

Anticonvulsants Drugs

• Clobazam
• Clonazepam
• Clorazepate
• Diazepam (Intravenous)

Drug class for Oxazepam

Anticonvulsants, and Benzodiazepines]