Oxazepam Dosage
This dosage information may not include all the information needed to use Oxazepam safely and effectively. See additional information for Oxazepam.
The information at Drugs.com is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Usual Adult Dose for:
Usual Geriatric Dose for:
Usual Pediatric Dose for:
Additional dosage information:
Usual Adult Dose for Anxiety
For mild to moderate anxiety: 10 to 15 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day.
For severe anxiety: 15 to 30 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day.
Usual Adult Dose for Alcohol Withdrawal
15 to 30 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day for alcoholics with acute inebriation, tremulousness, or anxiety on withdrawal.
Usual Geriatric Dose for Anxiety
Initial dose: 10 mg orally 3 times a day.
If necessary, increase cautiously to 15 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Anxiety
The safety and efficacy of oxazepam in children < 6 years has not been established. Absolute dosage for children 6 to 12 years has not been established. However, the use of oxazepam in children 6 to 12 years may be appropriate is some situations.
>= 6 years to 12 years: 1 mg/kg/day.
>= 13 years: For mild to moderate anxiety: 10 to 15 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day.
For severe anxiety: 15 to 30 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day.
Renal Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Liver Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Precautions
Oxazepam should not be discontinued abruptly in patients who have received the medication for long periods. Abrupt discontinuation may result in symptoms of withdrawal.
Because of increased sensitivity to benzodiazepines in elderly patients, oxazepam at daily doses greater than 60 mg meets the Beers criteria as a medication that is potentially inappropriate for use in older adults. Smaller doses may be effective as well as safer. Total daily doses should rarely exceed suggested maximums. A large prospective cohort study found that among benzodiazepines and independent of half-life, higher doses of flurazepam, chlordiazepoxide, and oxazepam are associated with the greatest risk of injury (e.g., fall- related fracture or laceration) in the elderly. The authors suggest that these benzodiazepines should be avoided in the elderly, particularly at higher doses.
Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients (less than 6 years of age).
Dialysis
Data not available
Other Comments
The 10 to 15 mg dose range is generally for treating mild to moderate anxiety, with associated tension, irritability, agitation, or related symptoms of functional origin or secondary to organic disease. The 15 to 30 mg dosage range is generally for treating severe anxiety syndromes, agitation, or anxiety associated with depression.
