oxazepam at a glance
Medicine class
Benzodiazepine anxiolytic
Main licensed use
Short-term relief of disabling or severely distressing anxiety
Driving
May impair alertness, coordination and driving ability
Dependence
Dependence and withdrawal can occur; do not stop suddenly
What is oxazepam used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Short-term relief of anxiety that is disabling or causes unacceptable distress, whether occurring alone or with insomnia or short-term psychosomatic, organic or psychotic illness.
How does oxazepam work?
Oxazepam binds to benzodiazepine sites on GABA-A receptor complexes. This strengthens GABA's inhibitory effect, reducing neuronal activity and producing anxiety-relieving and sedative effects.
oxazepam preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 10 mg, 15 mg
How to take oxazepam
Take oxazepam exactly as shown on the dispensing label. Swallow tablets with water. Do not take extra tablets, share them, or stop suddenly; agree an individual withdrawal plan with the prescriber.
Avoid alcohol because it can substantially increase sedation.
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how oxazepam affects you.
The tablet contains lactose; discuss this with a clinician if you have been diagnosed with an intolerance to certain sugars.
oxazepam side effects
Common or expected effects
- Drowsiness or reduced alertness, particularly early in treatment
- Light-headedness or dizziness
- Tiredness
- Poor coordination or unsteadiness
- Muscle weakness
Get urgent medical advice
- Slow or difficult breathing, profound sedation or loss of consciousness
- Severe agitation, aggression, hallucinations or other paradoxical behaviour
- Depression accompanied by suicidal thoughts
- Seizures during severe withdrawal
- Yellow skin or eyes, suggesting jaundice
oxazepam in pregnancy
The selected product advises against oxazepam during pregnancy, particularly early and late in pregnancy. Later exposure may cause newborn sedation, low muscle tone, breathing or feeding problems, or withdrawal. If you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or think you may be pregnant, contact the prescriber and do not stop suddenly without an agreed plan.
oxazepam while breastfeeding
The selected product advises against use while breastfeeding. However, specialist guidance identifies oxazepam as a preferred benzodiazepine when clinically appropriate for a full-term, healthy infant, because milk levels and accumulation are expected to be low. Individual assessment and infant monitoring for unusual drowsiness, slow breathing, poor feeding and adequate weight gain are needed.
oxazepam interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about prescription, non-prescription and recreational substances. Important interactions include:
Opioids
Additive sedation can cause respiratory depression, coma and death; combined use requires clear clinical justification and close monitoring.
Alcohol
Increases sedation and impairment; concurrent use is not recommended.
Other central nervous system depressants
Sedative antihistamines, sleeping medicines, antipsychotics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants and anaesthetics may increase drowsiness and impairment.
Common questions about oxazepam
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is oxazepam used for?
The selected product is licensed for short-term relief of anxiety that is disabling or causes unacceptable distress, including anxiety associated with insomnia or other illness.
Can oxazepam make you sleepy?
Yes. Drowsiness, reduced alertness, dizziness and impaired coordination can occur, particularly early in treatment.
Can I drive while taking oxazepam?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.