Oxazepam is a tranquilizer from the benzodiazepine group. The drug is one of the most commonly used medications and is effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. This medicine is also sold under the brand names Seresta and Serax, but is also available as a generic medicine.

Effect of oxazepam

Oxazepam is prescribed to treat feelings of anxiety, nerves and tension. The drug is also used in the treatment of patients who are kicking the habit of excessive alcohol consumption. It reduces the withdrawal symptoms. In 2006, the drug was the most frequently prescribed medicine in the Netherlands.This drug is a member of the benzodiazepine family. Benzodiazepines are psychotropic drugs that belong to the GABA agonists. GABA agonists are chemicals in the brain that can bind to the GABA receptors on the brain cells. When these receptors bind to their agonist, this has an inhibitory effect on signal transmission in the nerve cells. This has a soothing, anxiety-reducing and muscle relaxing effect.

Oxazepam dosage

The recommended starting dose for adults ranges from 5 to 15 mg per day. The dosage is sometimes increased by the doctor, but 80 mg is the maximum prescribed daily dosage. It is recommended to take one dose twice a day.Oxazepam is taken orally and is available in capsules or as tablets. The drug can be taken while eating to reduce side effects on the digestive system. Oxazepam should not be used in children under 6 years of age. The usual starting dose for people under 16 years of age is 5 mg per day. This dose can be increased if the doctor sees fit to 40 mg per day. Oxazepam can be administered intravenously if rapid sedation is desired. However, intravenous administration is not a common method of administration.

Contraindications to the use of oxazepam

The doctor should ensure that the side effects of oxazepam remain at an acceptable level. Therefore, regular patient monitoring is very important with this drug, especially when used for a longer period of time. It is strongly advised not to stop taking oxazepam abruptly, especially when high doses are used. Stopping suddenly can lead to a rebound effect. In some cases, patients have reported severe withdrawal symptoms after stopping oxazepam including nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps and increased irritability.Extra care should be taken when administering oxazepam to elderly patients. Patients who are known to have liver or kidney disease, who use drugs or who have breathing problems should also handle this drug very carefully.Oxazepam is strongly discouraged during pregnancy due to the risk of birth defects. Oxazepam should also not be used during breastfeeding. Oxazepam can be transmitted through breast milk.Oxazepam should never be combined with the use of alcohol or other drugs that depress the central nervous system. Oxazepam and other benzodiazepines should be prescribed and taken very carefully. Especially when used during long-term treatment. This is because they can be very addictive. Patients with a history of alcohol abuse, drug use, depression, sleep apnea, or myasthenia gravis should mention this to their doctor. Patients suffering from glaucoma or severe psychiatric conditions should avoid this drug. Women who want to have children should also mention this to their doctor when he or she decides to prescribe oxazepam.

Side effects

Rare but serious side effects associated with oxazepam use include: anxiety, depression, low blood pressure, memory loss, and confusion. Even rarer side effects include disorientation, delusions, convulsions, sleep problems (such as nightmares), muscle weakness, and behavioral changes.Less serious but more common side effects include difficulty speaking, dizziness, clumsiness, and drowsiness. Less common, but not particularly serious, side effects include: dry mouth, general weakness, headache, mild abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.When the patient stops taking oxazepam, withdrawal symptoms may occur, such as nervousness, irritability and sleep problems. Less common withdrawal symptoms include confusion, hearing problems, stomach cramps, sweating, depression , nausea and vomiting. Withdrawal symptoms that may occur in rare cases include seizures, hallucinations and paranoid delusions.Oxazepam is one of the few benzodiazepines that does not have an active metabolite. This means that the body can easily remove oxazepam through the kidneys, making a fatal overdose (after administration of a lot of fluid) virtually impossible.This drug increases your reaction time and decreases your coordination. This has adverse effects when driving. The other side effects of this drug, such as drowsiness, muscle weakness and blurred vision, also affect your ability to drive. The influence of this medicine on driving ability is comparable to consuming four glasses of alcohol.

Interaction with other medicines

Patients taking oxazepam should inform their healthcare providers. Think of the pharmacy, dentist or nurse. This is in connection with any other medication that is administered or prescribed. Oxazepam, alcohol, and other drugs that cause drowsiness can increase each other’s effects. Certain drugs used to treat viral infections, fungal infections, high blood pressure, and some heart rhythm disorders can also worsen the effects of oxazepam.Heavy smoking, on the other hand, actually reduces the effectiveness of oxazepam.

read more

• Top 100 most commonly used medicines in the Netherlands
• Side effects of painkillers: NSAIDs