Oxazepam is a drug prescribed in the United States and other countries to treat anxiety and to calm patients suffering from acute alcohol withdrawal. In some countries, it is prescribed for insomnia and related sleep disorders, and as an anti-convulsant. Oxazepam is available under many different brand names around the world.
Identification
Oxazepam belongs to a class of tranquilizing drugs called benzodiazepines which act on the brain and central nervous system, slowing certain brain functions to produce a calming effect. It is effective and widely available, but has many possible side effects and drug interactions, the potential to worsen other conditions, and oxazepam is addictive. The medication should be used with caution.
Features
Oxazepam is the same type of product under all its different brand names. An oral medication available in tablets and capsules, it is usually taken twice a day. Oxazepam can be taken with food if it causes gastrointestinal problems.
Brands
Brands and manufacturers of oxazepam include Alepam from Alphapharm (Australia), Medopam from Schwulst Laboratories (South Africa), Ox-Pam from Douglas Pharmaceuticals (New Zealand), Murelax and Serepax from Sigma Group (Australia), Noripam from Brainware (South Africa), Opamox from Orion Corporation (Finland) Oxascand from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Sweden), Purata from Pharmacare (South Africa), Serax from Wyeth (United States), Seresta from EuroCept (Netherlands) and Sobril from Pfizer Inc. (Sweden). It also can be purchased in generic form.
Types
Benzodiazepines are some of the most frequently-prescribed depressant medications in the United States. Other commonly-prescribed benzodiazepines besides oxazepam include Ativan (lorazepam), Librium (chlordiazepoxide), Valium (diazepam) and Xanax (alprazolam). Versed (midazolam) is used only as an intravenous medication. One particularly controversial benzodiazepine is flunitrazepam, under the brand name Rohypnol, known as the "date-rape drug" because it has been implicated to have been used in many sexual assault cases.
Warning
Side effects associated with oxazepam include drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision and headache. Many other side effects are possible but less common. As with all benzodiazepines, sudden discontinuation of oxazepam can cause withdrawal symptoms, some severe. The dosage should be gradually decreased. Withdrawal symptoms include nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps and even seizures. Addicting sedatives are often abused, and can be dangerous when mixed with opiates or alcohol.
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