Oxazepam

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Amber Watson, PharmD
Updated on September 7, 2023

Oxazepam (oks A ze pam) is a generic medication prescribed for anxiety and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Oxazepam belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.

Boxed warnings

Oxazepam has boxed warnings, which are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These include:

• risk of serious harm if taken with opioids
• risk of misuse and addiction
• risk of dependence and withdrawal

For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for oxazepam” section.

Common questions about oxazepam

Below, you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about oxazepam.

What brand names are available for oxazepam?

There aren’t any brand-name drugs currently available for oxazepam. Oxazepam is a generic version of the brand-name drugs Serax and Zaxopam. But Serax and Zaxopam are no longer available.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less compared to brand-name drugs.

To find out more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is oxazepam similar to diazepam?

Yes, oxazepam is similar to diazepam. They’re both benzodiazepine drugs. They have similar uses, side effects, and warnings, including boxed warnings.* But diazepam has some additional approved uses that oxazepam doesn’t. These include treating certain muscle problems and some forms of epilepsy.

You can learn more about how these two drugs compare by talking with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for oxazepam” section.

Can oxazepam be used for sleep?

Possibly. Oxazepam is prescribed to treat anxiety, anxiety disorders, and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Having trouble sleeping is a common symptom of anxiety and alcohol withdrawal. By treating these conditions, oxazepam may help people sleep better.

Your doctor can tell you more about taking oxazepam to relieve anxiety and alcohol withdrawal and get better sleep.

How does oxazepam work? And how long does it take to start working?

Oxazepam works in the brain to slow activity. It does this by boosting the effects of a brain chemical called gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). This makes you feel relaxed and less anxious. It also helps ease symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, such as anxiety and tremors.

Oxazepam should start working within 3 hours of taking it. It’s a short-acting benzodiazepine that won’t stay in your system very long.

If you’d like to know more about how oxazepam works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects of oxazepam

Oxazepam may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of oxazepam and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about oxazepam’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for oxazepam listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of oxazepam are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about oxazepam’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for oxazepam listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Oxazepam oral capsule’s mild side effects include:

• dizziness
• drowsiness
• headache
• vertigo (sensation of spinning)
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for oxazepam” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of oxazepam are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about oxazepam’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for oxazepam listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, oxazepam’s serious side effects include:

• amnesia or memory problems, which are usually temporary
• fainting
• lethargy (extreme weakness or sluggishness)
• liver problems
• low blood pressure
• low white blood cell counts
• problems with coordination
• changes in libido (sex drive)
• swelling due to fluid buildup
• boxed warning: risk of serious harm if taken with opioids*
• boxed warning: risk of misuse and addiction*
• boxed warning: risk of dependence and withdrawal*
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for oxazepam” section.

Uses of oxazepam

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as oxazepam for certain conditions. Approved uses for oxazepam are described below.

Use for anxiety

Doctors may prescribe oxazepam oral capsule for treating anxiety and anxiety disorders. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 6 years and older. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With anxiety and anxiety disorders, worry or fear affects daily living. Usually, these everyday stresses don’t require treatment. For people with anxiety disorders, the anxiety is excessive or intense. Short-term treatment with oxazepam can help relieve anxiety symptoms. Talk therapy can help people learn to manage anxiety long term.

Doctors may not prescribe oxazepam oral capsule in certain situations, such as for people with psychosis. Psychosis is a mental health state in which people lose touch with reality.

Use for alcohol withdrawal

Doctors may prescribe oxazepam oral capsule for treating the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 6 years and older. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With alcohol withdrawal, people who drink heavily experience unpleasant symptoms when they suddenly stop drinking. The symptoms can range in severity and include anxiety, tremors, and headache. Oxazepam can help relieve these symptoms.

Doctors may not prescribe oxazepam oral capsule in certain situations, such as for people with psychosis. Psychosis is a mental health state in which people lose touch with reality.

Interactions and warnings for oxazepam

Below, you’ll find information about oxazepam’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of oxazepam

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take oxazepam, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for oxazepam” section below.

Warnings for oxazepam

Some people should not take oxazepam, and others should take it cautiously.

Boxed warnings

Oxazepam has boxed warnings about the risks of serious harm if taken with opioids, misuse and addiction, and dependence and withdrawal. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

To learn more about these warnings, read below. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Risk of serious harm if taken with opioids. Taking oxazepam with opioids (narcotics) can cause serious or fatal breathing problems, sedation, or coma. Opioids are strong pain relievers, such as codeine or morphine.

Due to this risk, doctors typically don’t prescribe this drug combination. If they do, it’s usually when other treatments haven’t worked. They’ll prescribe the lowest dosage for the shortest amount of time possible.

Symptoms may include:

• blue fingernails, skin, or lips
• changes in consciousness
• extreme tiredness
• very slow or shallow breathing

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical care or call 911.

Risk of misuse and addiction. With misuse, you take oxazepam in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it. Misuse can lead to addiction, where you continue to take a drug even though it may be causing harm.

Symptoms of addiction may include craving the drug and using the drug to cope with daily life. Misusing oxazepam can also lead to suicidal thoughts or actions and other serious or fatal side effects.

If you experience misuse or addiction, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend ways to get help. If you have thoughts about hurting yourself, seek emergency medical care or call 911.

Suicide prevention

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

• Call or text 988 to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
• Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
• Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
• Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Risk of dependence and withdrawal. Taking oxazepam can lead to dependence. Dependence means the body needs the drug in order to function like usual.

Withdrawal symptoms can occur if you’re dependent on a drug and stop taking it. These symptoms can be fatal if you suddenly stop taking oxazepam when you’re dependent on it. Due to this risk, doctors usually reduce the dosage slowly over time.

The risk of dependence and withdrawal symptoms increases the longer you take oxazepam. It also increases with high daily doses of oxazepam.

Withdrawal symptoms may include:

• anxiety or panic attacks
• depression
• hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real)
• headache or blurred vision
• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• seizures
• sudden or severe mental or nervous system changes
• suicidal thoughts or actions
• unusual movements
• rapid heart rate

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical care or call 911.

Other warnings

Oxazepam could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether oxazepam is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for oxazepam, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Oxazepam can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to oxazepam or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe oxazepam. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to oxazepam, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of oxazepam

If you take oxazepam by mouth, you should not take more oxazepam than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much oxazepam, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and oxazepam

Information about oxazepam and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Oxazepam and pregnancy

There are risks to taking oxazepam during pregnancy. But there are also risks with having untreated anxiety or alcohol withdrawal while pregnant. (Keep in mind that oxazepam is used for treating anxiety and alcohol withdrawal.)

Taking oxazepam late in pregnancy can lead to problems in a newborn, including:

• breathing problems
• excessive crying
• feeding problems
• irritability
• low muscle tone
• shakiness
• sluggishness

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your treatment options during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should take oxazepam during pregnancy.

Your doctor may also talk with you about the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications. It’s a registry that monitors outcomes of using psychiatric medications during pregnancy. You can sign up by calling 866-961-2388 or online at this website.

Oxazepam and breastfeeding

There are risks to taking oxazepam while breastfeeding. But there are also risks with having untreated anxiety or alcohol withdrawal during this time. (Keep in mind that oxazepam is prescribed for treating anxiety and alcohol withdrawal.)

For instance, oxazepam may cause excessive sleepiness, poor feeding, and poor weight gain in a child who is breastfed.

If you’re planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about treatment options for anxiety and alcohol withdrawal. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should take oxazepam during this time. Your doctor may recommend other healthy ways to feed your child.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about oxazepam or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How long will I need to take oxazepam?
• Am I at higher risk of side effects than other people?
• Do any of my other medications interact with oxazepam?
• Can you prescribe alternative medications for my condition?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Oxazepam capsules, USP. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/a0d5a4c1-ec79-42e6-8e8f-ae4d144edb43/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.