Health Library

Oxazepam (By mouth)

Oxazepam (ox-AZ-e-pam)

Treats anxiety, anxiety with depression, and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

Brand Name(s):

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule, Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• This medicine is not for long-term use.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Missed dose: If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, take the missed dose as soon as possible unless you are more than 1 hour late. If you are more than one hour late, skip the missed dose and return to your usual time to use your medicine.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, glaucoma, low blood pressure, lung disease or breathing problems, or a history of alcohol or drug abuse, depression, or mental health problems.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Increased risk of overdose, which can be life-threatening
  • Respiratory depression (serious breathing problem that can be life-threatening), when used with narcotic pain medicines
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Getting up slowly may help lessen this problem. Also, lying down for a while may relieve dizziness or lightheadedness.
• This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blue lips, fingernails, or skin, trouble breathing, chest pain
• Change or loss of consciousness, confusion, unusual drowsiness, problems with coordination
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache
• Problems with memory

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024