Oxazepam is a sedative and anxiolytic acting by potentiation of the inhibitory effect of gamma-aminobutyrate by binding to specific receptor sites of the brain stem reticular formation and other parts of the CNS.

1. Treatment of the symptoms of anxiety, tension, fear, agitation, irritability and insomina.
2. Anxiety associated with depression and psychoses, e. g. as in transient situational disorder, psychoneurotic reaction and psychophysiological reaction.
3. Anxiety syndrom secondary to organic disease.
4. Anxiety syndrom in alcoholics and in alcohol withdrawal.
5. Anxiety syndrom in elderly patients, geriatric behavioral disorder.

Oxazepam should not be administered during pregnancy unless in the judgment of the physician such administration is clinically justifiable. Oxazepam should not be used in labour unless considered essential since single doses or repeated low doses of other benzodiazepines have been reported to produce hypotonia, poor sucking and hypotention in the neonate and irregularities in the fetal heart. Oxazepam is excreted in human milk; therefore it is not recommended during lactation.

Concomitant administration with central nervous system depressants, including alcohol, general anaesthetics, narcotic analgesics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors and antidepressants, will result in an accentuation of their effects.

Transient, mild drowsiness is commonly seen in the first few days of therapy. In few instances, dizziness, vertigo, headache, and rarely syncope have occurred. Other rare side effects include minor diffuse skin rashes, nausea, lethargy, edema, slurred speech, tremor and altered libido.

The usual dose of Oxazepam for the treatment of anxiety or for control of symtoms of alcohol withdrawal is 15 to 30 mg three or four times daily by mouth. A suggested initial dose for elderly or debiliated patients is 10mg three times daily increased if necessary up to 10 to 20 mg three or four times daily Oxazepam. 15 to 25 mg may be given one hour before retiring for the treatment of insomnia associated with anxiety.

1. Martindale, the complete drug reference 32nd edition.
2. Therapeutic drugs, 2nd Edition.