Oxazepam - Oral

Oxazepam helps relieve anxiety, including in individuals who also experience insomnia (difficulty sleeping).

This medicine may also be used to help manage the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, such as anxiety and tremors.

Take Oxazepam exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.

Oxazepam is available as a tablet or capsule.

Swallow the tablet or capsule with a glass of water.

The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the severity of your condition and response to the medication.

Do not stop taking Oxazepam suddenly as it may worsen your condition. Your doctor will gradually reduce the dose before stopping it completely. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• sudden lung problems
• respiratory depression (slow or ineffective breathing)
• sleep apnoea (a sleep disorder that causes interrupted breathing during sleep)
• myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakness disorder)
• mental illness e.g. irrational or disabling fears, obsessive thoughts or behaviours

as Oxazepam may not be suitable for you.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• history of alcohol or drug abuse
• personality problems
• depression
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (a long-term lung disease that causes airflow obstruction making it hard to breathe)
• heart disease
• disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain
• increased pressure in the eye
• kidney disease
• liver disease

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Oxazepam to the elderly or debilitated individual (physically or mentally weak, usually due to illness or old age). Elderly people and debilitated individuals may be more sensitive to the side effects.

For as long as you are taking this medicine, you may need to have regular blood tests to check your body's response to the medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have blood tests.

Practice good sleeping habits to reduce reliance on Oxazepam. These are some good sleeping habits which you should follow:

• Try to relax before bedtime. Do not engage in strenuous activities.
• Try to go to bed at about the same time every night.
• Have a light dinner. A heavy dinner may disturb your sleep.
• Avoid caffeine in the evening. Caffeine-containing food and drinks include coffee, tea, certain soft drinks and even chocolate.
• Avoid drinking alcohol before bedtime.
• Keep your bedroom quiet, dark and airy.
• Avoid taking naps, especially in the late afternoon.

What lifestyle changes should I make to manage my dependence on alcohol?

Eat a healthy diet and manage your stress through meditation and exercise. Avoid temptations of drinking alcohol by removing all alcohol in your home and office and distancing yourself from people who drink. Keep away from places and situations that encourage drinking. Get help from friends and family to support you in your goal of abstaining from alcohol. Continue to attend counselling while taking this medicine to reach your goal.

Oxazepam may cause drowsiness, dizziness or blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.

Other side effects include any of the following: headache, double vision, dizziness with sensations of spinning, nausea, muscle weakness, slurred speech, and tiredness.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• memory loss
• unusual changes in mood or behaviour (being too depressed, confused, agitated, irritable, aggressive or having compulsive and impulsive behaviour)
• unusual activities during sleep e.g. driving, making phone calls, cooking, or eating food
• excessive sweating, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, restlessness, tremors, nausea, vomiting, palpitations

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• strong painkillers e.g. fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone
• medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin, phenobarbital
• medicines for cold and allergy e.g. chlorphenamine
• muscle relaxants e.g. baclofen, tizanidine
• rifampicin (medicine to treat TB [lung infection known as tuberculosis])
• probenecid (medicine for gout [high uric acid level in the blood])
• zidovudine (medicine for HIV infection)
• levodopa (medicine for Parkinson's disease [disorder that affects the movement of a person, causing symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and impaired balance or walking])

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Oxazepam.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicine, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol. Alcohol intake may worsen the dizziness and drowsiness caused by Oxazepam.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Protect from light.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.