Oxazepam is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peen) that is used to treat anxiety disorders.

Oxazepam may also be used short-term to treat symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

Oxazepam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Oxazepam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol.

MISUSE OF THIS MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep this medicine where others cannot get to it.

Do not stop using oxazepam without asking your doctor. You may have life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if you stop using the medicine suddenly after long-term use. Some withdrawal symptoms may last up to 12 months or longer.

Get medical help right away if you stop using oxazepam and have symptoms such as: unusual muscle movements, being more active or talkative, sudden and severe changes in mood or behavior, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, or thoughts about suicide.

Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Never use oxazepam in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of this medicine.

Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medicine where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

Do not stop using oxazepam without asking your doctor. You may have life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if you stop using the medicine suddenly after long-term use.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep your medicine in a place where no one can use it improperly.

Usual Adult Dose for Anxiety:

10 to 15 mg orally, 3 or 4 times per day

Use: Management of mild-to-moderate anxiety, with associated tension, irritability, agitation, or related symptoms of functional origin or secondary to organic disease:

15 to 30 mg orally, 3 or 4 times per day

Use: Management of severe anxiety syndromes, agitation, or anxiety associated with depression

Usual Adult Dose for Alcohol Withdrawal:

15 to 30 mg orally, 3 or 4 times per day

Use: Relief of symptoms in alcoholics with acute inebriation, tremulousness, or anxiety on withdrawal

Usual Geriatric Dose for Anxiety:

10 mg orally, 3 times per day; if needed, increase cautiously to 15 mg orally, 3 or 4 times per day

Use: Management of anxiety, tension, irritability, and agitation in older patients

Usual Pediatric Dose for Anxiety:

13 years and older:
10 to 15 mg orally, 3 or 4 times per day

Comments:
-The absolute dosage for patients 6 to 12 years is not established.

Use: Management of mild-to-moderate anxiety, with associated tension, irritability, agitation, or related symptoms of functional origin or secondary to organic disease:

15 to 30 mg orally, 3 or 4 times per day

Comments:
-The absolute dosage for patients 6 to 12 years is not established.

Use: Management of severe anxiety syndromes, agitation, or anxiety associated with depression

You should not use oxazepam if you are allergic to oxazepam, or if you have mental illness and psychosis.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• depression, mental illness, suicidal thoughts;

• alcoholism or drug addiction; or

• low blood pressure.

Oxazepam may harm an unborn baby. Avoid taking this medicine during the first trimester of pregnancy.

If you use oxazepam during pregnancy, your baby could be born with life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, and may need medical treatment for several weeks.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

Not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of oxazepam can be fatal if you take it with alcohol, opioid medicine, or other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.

Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, confusion, muscle weakness, or loss of consciousness.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how oxazepam will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Oxazepam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

Oxazepam may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe drowsiness;

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• unusual changes in mood or behavior;

• confusion, anger, paranoia, problems with memory or concentration;

• tremors, slurred speech, problems with balance or muscle movement;

• a seizure;

• trouble breathing; or

• upper stomach pain, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Drowsiness or dizziness may last longer in older adults. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury.

Common side effects of oxazepam may include:

• drowsiness;

• dizziness, spinning sensation; or

• headache.

After you stop using oxazepam, get medical help right away if you have symptoms such as: unusual muscle movements, being more active or talkative, sudden and severe changes in mood or behavior, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, suicidal thoughts or actions.

Some withdrawal symptoms may last up to 12 months or longer after stopping oxazepam suddenly. Tell your doctor if you have ongoing anxiety, depression, problems with memory or thinking, trouble sleeping, ringing in your ears, a burning or prickly feeling, or a crawling sensation under your skin.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Taking oxazepam with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Other drugs may affect oxazepam, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Oxazepam is a controlled substance. Prescriptions may be refilled only a limited number of times; ask your pharmacist if you have any questions.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.