OXAZEPAM belongs to a class of benzodiazepines called 'anxiolytic' or 'anti-anxiety agents' used for short-term (2-4 weeks) treatment of anxiety or panic disorder. Anxiety or panic disorder is a mental health disorder associated with unnecessary fear, worry, and excessive nervousness that may interfere with daily activities. The symptoms of anxiety include feeling more stress than required for that event and a lack of ability to set aside restlessness and worry.
OXAZEPAM contains Oxazepam, an anti-anxiety drug that works by increasing the activity of GABA (a chemical messenger in the brain that acts as a natural nerve-calming agent) that is involved in inducing drowsiness. Thereby, OXAZEPAM relaxes muscles, reduces anxiety, and induces drowsiness.
Take OXAZEPAM as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take OXAZEPAM for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. Some people may experience muscle weakness, drowsiness, headache, dizziness, tiredness, double vision, or difficulty controlling movements. Most of these side effects of OXAZEPAM do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to OXAZEPAM or any other medicines, please tell your doctor before using OXAZEPAM. Avoid taking OXAZEPAM if you are pregnant as it may cause withdrawal symptoms in the baby. OXAZEPAM may be excreted in breast milk and cause adverse effects in the baby, so avoid taking OXAZEPAM if you are breastfeeding. OXAZEPAM should be used with caution in elderly patients (above 65 years) as there is an increased risk of adverse effects. OXAZEPAM should not be used in children (below 12 years) and teenagers until and unless prescribed by a doctor. Avoid consumption of alcohol with OXAZEPAM as it may increase the sedative effects of OXAZEPAM. OXAZEPAM may cause drowsiness or affect concentration or attention, so avoid driving or doing hazardous tasks if you feel drowsy after taking OXAZEPAM.
Anxiety disorder
OXAZEPAM contains Oxazepam, an anti-anxiety drug used in the short-term (2 to 4 weeks) treatment of anxiety disorder. OXAZEPAM increases the activity of GABA (a chemical messenger in the brain that acts as a natural nerve-calming agent) that is involved in inducing drowsiness. Thereby, OXAZEPAM relaxes muscles, reduces anxiety and induces drowsiness. Also, OXAZEPAM is used to relieve anxiety caused due to alcohol withdrawal.
If you are allergic to OXAZEPAM or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Avoid taking OXAZEPAM if you are pregnant as it may cause withdrawal symptoms in the baby. OXAZEPAM may be excreted in breast milk and cause adverse effects in the baby. Therefore, avoid taking OXAZEPAM if you are breastfeeding. OXAZEPAM should be used with caution in elderly patients as there is an increased risk of adverse effects. OXAZEPAM should not be used in children until and unless prescribed by a doctor. Avoid consumption of alcohol with OXAZEPAM as it may increase the sedative effects of OXAZEPAM. OXAZEPAM may cause drowsiness or affect concentration. It is an offense to drive if OXAZEPAM affects you. Therefore, avoid driving if you feel drowsy after taking OXAZEPAM. If you have breathing difficulties, myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), phobia or obsession, depression, personality disorder, porphyria (an inherited condition causing stomach pain, skin blisters, and nervous system or brain disorders), history of drug abuse, sleep apnoea (sleep disorder in which breathing stops and starts repeatedly), kidney, liver or lung problems, inform your doctor before taking OXAZEPAM.
Drug-Drug Interaction: OXAZEPAM may interact with gout medicine (probenecid), muscle relaxants (tizanidine, baclofen), anticonvulsants (phenytoin), antibiotic (rifampicin), antivirals (zidovudine, ritonavir), antiparkinson drug (levodopa), antipsychotics (aripiprazole, quetiapine), a drug used to treat nausea and vomiting (nabilone), antidepressants (duloxetine, venlafaxine, escitalopram, pregabalin, desvenlafaxine, sertraline), pain reliever and fever reducer (acetaminophen), opioid pain killers (codeine).
Drug-Food Interaction: OXAZEPAM may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid intake of alcohol while taking OXAZEPAM as it may increase side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, or difficulty in concentrating.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have breathing difficulties, myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), phobia or obsession, depression, personality disorder, porphyria (an inherited condition causing stomach pain, skin blisters, and nervous system or brain disorders), history of drug abuse, sleep apnoea (sleep disorder in which breathing stops and starts repeatedly), kidney, liver or lung problems, inform your doctor before taking OXAZEPAM.
Avoid consumption of alcohol with OXAZEPAM as it may increase the sedative effects of OXAZEPAM.
OXAZEPAM is a Category D pregnancy drug and is not recommended for pregnant women as it may cause withdrawal symptoms in the baby. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy before taking OXAZEPAM.
OXAZEPAM may be excreted in human milk and cause harm to the baby. Therefore, avoid taking OXAZEPAM if you are breastfeeding.
OXAZEPAM may cause drowsiness or affect concentration. It is an offence to drive if OXAZEPAM affects you. Therefore, avoid driving if you feel drowsy after taking OXAZEPAM.
Take OXAZEPAM with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
If you have any concerns regarding the use of OXAZEPAM in patients with kidney problems, please consult a doctor.
OXAZEPAM should not be used in children until and unless prescribed by a doctor.
Do not take OXAZEPAM for a prolonged time as it may lead to mental or physical dependence on OXAZEPAM.
Anxiety disorder: It is a mental health disorder associated with fear, worry, and excessive nervousness that may interfere with daily activities. The symptoms of anxiety include feeling more stress than required for that event and a lack of ability to set aside restlessness and worry. Anxiety can be treated by psychotherapy (meeting a psychologist) or medications.