Oxazepam

• Oxazepam can be used for:
• The management of symptoms of anxiety disorder.
• Treating anxiety associated with depression.
• The treatment of anxiety caused by alcohol withdrawal (symptoms that can develop in people who stop drinking alcohol after drinking large quantities for a long time).

When should one not use Oxazepam

• If you have an allergic reaction to any component of Oxazepam
• If you have any history of addiction to recreational drugs or alcohol, Oxazepam has habit-forming potential.
• If you have respiratory depression (steady decline of breathings) or a head injury. This medicine increases the risk of life-threatening breathing problems.
• If you are using antidepressant medications.
• If you are pregnant, Oxazepam can cause congenital disabilities in unborn babies, especially in the first trimester.
• If you are breastfeeding, this can have adverse effects on newborn babies.
• If you have closed-angle glaucoma, an eye disorder, Oxazepam can increase the fluid pressure in the eye.
• If you notice having mood changes, suicidal or other harmful thoughts.
• If you are taking other medications that have narcotic or opioid ingredients.
• If you are younger than the age of 18, this medicine is not recommended.
• If you have breathing problems like asthma, sleep apnea, etc.
• If you are at risk of falling most of the time.

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Lightheadedness
• Blurred speech
• Sleepiness
• Dry mouth
• Weakness
• Change in sex drive

Other General Warnings

• You are trying to get pregnant.
• You are using medication for fungal infections.
• You have a seizure disorder and are under antiepileptic medication.
• You are using any vitamin, herbal medicines or supplements; they may interact with this medicine.
• You have a history of lung, kidney or liver disorders; the dose needs adjustment.
• You are an elderly patient over 65 years of age; high doses may cause serious adverse effects due to the slow metabolism.
• You are planning to have a medical, surgical or dental procedure.
• You have withdrawal symptoms like sweating, tremors, nausea, agitation, and confusion.

How Does It Work?

Interactions with other medicines

• If you take antifungal medication (like itraconazole or ketoconazole), do not mix them with Oxazepam.
• Taking antidepressants or mood-elevating medications like fluoxetine or desipramine can cause adverse and contrasting effects when mixed with Oxazepam.
• Oxazepam can reduce the effect of oral contraceptives or birth control pills.
• Do not mix Oxazepam with antihistamines (allergy medication), as it can increase the effects of drowsiness, fatigue, etc.
• Do not take other sedative medications or Benzodiazepine like alprazolam, etc., with Oxazepam; it can exaggerate the side effects.

Interactions with food items

• Avoid having grapefruit and its juice; it reduces the effect of Oxazepam medicine.
• Avoid eating St John's wort (a flower), the medicinal herb that treats depression, with Oxazepam medicine.

Overdose

Missed a Dose