Oxazepam Side Effects

Please note - some side effects for Oxazepam may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Oxazepam - for the Consumer

Oxazepam

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Oxazepam:

Clumsiness; dizziness; excessive daytime drowsiness; feeling of a whirling motion; headache; lightheadedness; unsteadiness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; excitation; fainting; severe drowsiness; unusual weakness.

Oxazepam Side Effects - for the Professional

Oxazepam

The necessity for discontinuation of therapy due to undesirable effects has been rare. Transient, mild drowsiness is commonly seen in the first few days of therapy. If it persists, the dosage should be reduced. In few instances, dizziness, vertigo, headache, and rarely syncope have occurred either alone or together with drowsiness. Mild paradoxical reactions, i.e., excitement, stimulation of affect, have been reported in psychiatric patients; these reactions may be secondary to relief of anxiety and usually appear in the first two weeks of therapy.

Other side effects occurring during Oxazepam therapy include rare instances of nausea, lethargy, edema, slurred speech, tremor, altered libido, and minor diffuse skin rashes — morbilliform, urticarial, and maculopapular. Such side effects have been infrequent and are generally controlled with reduction of dosage. A case of an extensive fixed drug eruption also has been reported.

Although rare, leukopenia and hepatic dysfunction including jaundice have been reported during therapy. Periodic blood counts and liver-function tests are advisable.

Ataxia with Oxazepam has been reported in rare instances and does not appear to be specifically related to dose or age.

Although the following side reactions have not as yet been reported with Oxazepam, they have occurred with related compounds (chlordiazepoxide and diazepam): paradoxical excitation with severe rage reactions, hallucinations, menstrual irregularities, change in EEG pattern, blood dyscrasias including agranulocytosis, blurred vision, diplopia, incontinence, stupor, disorientation, fever, and euphoria.

Transient amnesia or memory impairment has been reported in association with the use of benzodiazepines.

Side Effects by Body System

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects are common, particularly at higher doses. These effects include drowsiness, psychomotor retardation, decreased reaction time, lightheadedness, confusion, somnolence, perspiration, and euphoria.

Some patients have a paradoxical (disinhibition) reaction to oxazepam in the first few weeks of therapy. This reaction is usually self-limited.

Other

Other side effects have included withdrawal symptoms as a result of abrupt cessation of oxazepam. Withdrawal symptoms have included anxiety, insomnia, tremors, seizures and depression.

Withdrawal symptoms occur most commonly after prolonged therapy (6 months or more). Rare cases of withdrawal seizures have been reported in some patients after abrupt cessation of high doses. Psychological dependence on benzodiazepines may develop after prolonged administration. Patients with a history of substance abuse are particularly prone to develop psychological dependence.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects including urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction have been reported.

Hepatic

In patients with liver disease, monitoring of liver function tests during oxazepam therapy may be helpful.

Hepatic side effects including mildly elevated liver function tests have been reported.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects including cases of leukopenia have been reported rarely. A case of pancytopenia has also been reported.

Periodic monitoring of blood counts may be helpful.

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects including diffuse exanthemas and urticaria have been reported rarely. A case of fixed drug eruptions has also been reported.

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