by Dr. Manura Nanayakkara

Created on: September 22, 2010

Oxazepam is a benzodiazepine medication prescribed in variety of problems including anxiety, panic attacks and insomnia. Commonly available brand name is Serax®.  

Oxazepam stimulates GABA type A receptors in the brain and increases inhibitory neurotransmission. This alleviates anxiety, panic attacks and induces sleep. But the same action causes side effects such as drowsiness.

What are the common problems doctors treat with Oxazepam?

Anxiety disorders

They are characterized by tension, irritability, agitation and various bodily symptoms. This medication is usually not prescribed in anxieties we get in our everyday life. The doctor should decide that your anxiety is crossed a certain limit to be diagnosed as a disorder.

Anxiety associated with depression

Some patients with depression are anxious. So doctors prescribe Oxazepam to patients with depression associated with agitation and anxiety.

Alcohol withdrawal

People who take alcohol for long time and suddenly withdrawing it can have tremulousness, anxiety and other withdrawal features. This medication is prescribed to alleviate these symptoms as well.

What the doctor should know before prescribing?

 If the patient has,

* Kidney disease

* Liver disease

* Breathing disorder

* Ataxia (poor control of body movements)

* Clinical depression

* Myasthenia gravis

* Allergies to benzodiazepines or any other drug

Then he/she should inform it to the doctor before taking Oxazepam. Other than that, the doctor should know about over the counter medications patient is on as well. If the patient is pregnant, the doctor may not prescribe this medication, especially in last three months. In addition, the doctor should know patient’s sober habits before prescribing Oxazepam.

 This medication is available as tablets. Tablets should be taken with full glass of water without crushing, to minimize side effects. It can be taken with or without meals.

What are the dangerous side effects?

Allergic reactions to this medication can occur rarely and they can progress into anaphylactic reaction. So be careful when a patient develops widespread hives, shortness of breath, chest tightness and pallor.

Abrupt discontinuation of the drug may leads to severe withdrawal reactions such as confusion, toxic psychosis, fits and delirium. This is especially problematic in Oxazepam since it is a short acting medication.

Main side effect is drowsiness. Drowsiness may continue to the next day. This makes operating machinery and driving pretty dangerous. In addition, taking alcohol with this medication can increase the harmful effects of alcohol.

What are the common side effects?

 Common but less dangerous side effects are fatigue and dizziness. In addition certain patients may complain reduced muscle strength and co-ordination problems of movements are common side effects as well. Other side effects are poor mental concentration, restlessness, confusion and memory loss.

This drug can be habit forming. If you take the drug for longer period you may not do well without it. You may also need to take increased dosage to get the same effect. So this is similar to addictive substances like alcohol. It is advisable not to share this drug with anybody else.

Sources

British National Formulary

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