Oxazepam is used to relieve anxiety. It also is used to control agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal.
Oxazepam is also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.
Oxazepam is an Antianxiety agent (benzodiazepines, to calm people with mania / schizophrenia, mild tranquilizer) used to relieve insomnia, and intravenously as a sedative and nervous tension or prior to surgery to relief the anxiety.
Many of the benzodiazepines are used in the treatment of other conditions, also. Chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, clorazepate, and Oxazepam are used to treat the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Alprazolam and clonazepam are used in the treatment of panic disorder. Clobazam, clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam, and lorazepam are used in the treatment of certain convulsive (seizure) disorders, such as epilepsy. The benzodiazepines may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Oxazepam may be habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence), especially when taken for a long time or in high doses.
Special precautions
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For Oxazepam, the following should be considered:
Allergies - tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to benzodiazepines. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives, foods, or dyes. Oxazepam products may contain lactose, parabens, or soybean oil.
Pregnancy - Chlordiazepoxide and diazepam have been reported to increase the chance of birth defects when used during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Although similar problems have not been reported with the other benzodiazepines, the chance always exists since all of the benzodiazepines are related.
Too much use of a Oxazepam during pregnancy may cause the baby to become dependent on the medicine. This may lead to withdrawal side effects after birth. Also, drowsiness, difficulty in feeding, breathing problems, may cause body temperature problems, especially during the last weeks, use of benzodiazepines during pregnancy, or muscle weakness in the newborn infant.
Oxazepam given just before or during labor may cause weakness in the newborn infant. When diazepam is given in high doses (especially by injection) within 15 hours before delivery, difficulty in feeding, muscle weakness, it may cause breathing problems, and body temperature problems in the newborn infant.
Breast-feeding - Oxazepam may pass into the breast milk and cause drowsiness, difficulty in feeding, and weight loss in nursing babies of mothers taking these medicines.
Children - Most of the side effects of these medicines are more likely to occur in children, especially the very young. These patients are usually more sensitive than adults to the effects of benzodiazepines.
Older adults - Most of the side effects of these medicines are more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of benzodiazepines.
Taking Oxazepam for trouble in sleeping may cause more daytime drowsiness in elderly patients than in younger adults. In addition, falls and related injuries are more likely to occur in elderly patients taking benzodiazepines.
Other medicines - although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary.
Other medical problems - the presence of other medical problems may affect the use of benzodiazepines. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Kidney or liver disease - Higher blood levels of Oxazepam may result, increasing the chance that side effects will occur
• Glaucoma, open angle - Oxazepam can be used but your doctor should be monitoring your condition carefully.
• Glaucoma, acute narrow angle - Oxazepam should NOT be used if you have this condition.
• Epilepsy or history of seizures - Although Oxazepam is used in treating epilepsy, starting or suddenly stopping treatment with these medicines may increase seizures
• Sleep apnea (temporary stopping of breathing during sleep) - Oxazepam may make these conditions worse
• Porphyria or
• Myasthenia gravis or
• Mental illness (severe) or
• Mental depression or
• Hyperactivity or
• Emphysema, bronchitis, asthma, or other chronic lung disease or
• Difficulty in swallowing (in children) or
• Brain disease - CNS depression and other side effects of Oxazepam may be more likely to occur
• Drug abuse or dependence (or history of) - Dependence on Oxazepam may be more likely to develop
• Alcohol abuse (or history of) or

Side effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Symptoms of overdose: Confusion (continuing); troubled breathing ; staggering; slurred speech (continuing) ; slow reflexes; slow heartbeat; shakiness; drowsiness (severe) or coma; convulsions (seizures); weakness (severe)
• Rare: Abnormal thinking, hearing, or feeling things that are not there); convulsions (seizures); behavior changes, including aggressive behavior, bizarre behavior, decreased inhibition, and chills; skin rash or itching ; muscle weakness; hypotension (low blood pressure); hallucinations (seeing, fever, including the eyes; ulcers or sores in mouth or throat (continuing); trouble in sleeping; sore throat, or irritability ; unusual bleeding or bruising ; uncontrolled movements of body, nervousness, or loss of sense of reality ; unusual tiredness or weakness (severe); unusual excitement, delusions (holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts), including disorientation, or outbursts of anger; agitation; yellow eyes or skin
• Less common: Anxiety; lack of memory of events taking place after benzodiazepine is taken (may be more common with triazolam); fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat ; confusion (may be more common in the elderly); mental depression

For patients having chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, or lorazepam injected:

• Check with your doctor if there is redness, swelling, or pain at the place of injection.

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• Less common or rare: Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain; trembling or shaking; problems with urination; nausea or vomiting; muscle spasm; increased bronchial secretions or watering of mouth; headache; false sense of well-being; dryness of mouth or increased thirst; diarrhea; constipation; changes in sexual desire or ability; blurred vision or other changes in vision; unusual tiredness or weakness
• More common: Clumsiness or unsteadiness; drowsiness; dizziness or lightheadedness; slurred speech

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication.