Oxazepam User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Mac...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 14, 2023

For Anxiety "Oxazepam was the first on-label medication I was prescribed for anxiety attacks and GAD many years ago now. It worked well for me with a very smooth onset of action. I felt relief from intense anxiety during peak hours (not sedated or sleepy) and it wore off seemingly slowly (and again, smoothly). I experienced no remarkable negative side effects while on Oxazepam. I think it is a very good potential medication of its kind to try for severe forms of anxiety/anxiety attacks and is unfortunately rarely mentioned much anymore it seems."

• gaz...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 4, 2021

For Anxiety "Oxazepam (Serax) is the only benzodiazepine that manages my anxiety and does not turn me into a walking zombie. I have taken Ativan, Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin. These last four make me feel woozy, and it's difficult for me to function in an effective way. I like oxazepam because it begins working for me in 30 minutes and definitely helps my anxiety (which can be so physically uncomfortable). The only downside is that it sometimes makes me overwhelmingly sleepy. I combat this with drinking coffee. If it's nighttime, it also helps me fall asleep without a morning hangover."

• Ter...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 16, 2020

For Anxiety "I use oxazepam only to help me fall asleep, and it does work for me. I tend to take half of a 10 mg tablet (I only took the whole 10 mg tablet a few times in my life as it has too strong effects on me) in the night or early morning after I wake up. So I try to train myself to fall asleep on my own initially in the evening without the drug. But I have big problems falling asleep again (meaning if I wake up between 2-6 am). When I take it after waking up, just 5 mg, I tend to fall asleep within an hour again. I used to take it only twice a week or so, but I am doing an experiment in taking it daily (during the night) for about a week now. I feel good, waking up rested, though a bit drowsy. I think that any drug works for me in small quantities. Even the 10 mg would be too much. And I can't believe that there can be even stronger dosages than 10 mg. I would be so drowsy if I took that. I need to catch up on sleep before I want to withdraw from taking it."

• Rol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 29, 2023

For Anxiety "I had crippling anxiety that started around 6 years ago when I had a panic attack on the way to work on the train. Ever since, I have been living with panic attack disorder and agoraphobia, making it difficult to use public transportation. Thanks to this medication, I was able to regain control of my life and enjoy it again. It also helped me with exposure therapy, allowing me to use the train and metro again. I can only speak positively about my experience as I didn't experience any side effects. This medication has been a godsend for me. I take 10 mg a day before sleep, and sometimes 20 mg if I'm doing exposure therapy."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2023

For Anxiety "Exactly two weeks ago, I had a panic attack followed by a mental breakdown. Two days later, on a Sunday, my mom called a doctor and explained the situation. They gave me Oxazepam 10 mg, which I took twice a day for the first few days and only one since then when I wake up. I've been dealing with anxiety/panic attacks for over 6 years and have lost almost everything besides my family. Dealing with it for such a long time really isn't easy. Today, I had another panic attack at the supermarket, and as I'm writing this, I'm going to take the second pill of the day. It works very well, but I think my mistake was thinking I couldn't have panic attacks anymore as long as I took 10mg a day and resumed an active life right after, which was just too much. - Marlon, a 33-year-old male."

• Joi...
• January 9, 2022

For Alcohol Withdrawal "Unfortunately, I have done several alcohol detoxes. I was given a Librium once, and it was a disaster, bouncing off walls, etc. I have been given Ativan in three different places. That works best for me, but in my experience, they do not like to give that. One nurse told me it’s because it has a short half-life. I was only given oxazepam once. It was a nightmare for me. It gave me insomnia, my tongue swelled up, and I got a rash. I can’t really tell you how well it worked for detox as I was coming off 11 1/2 months clean and only trying for one week. So I really don’t need detox, I just need to remove myself from my situation, or I was going to continue to drink. The place I was in was one of the worst. When I told him I was having a reaction, they blew me off. When I refused medication and insisted on Ativan or even Librium, they said they don’t do that. It was the weirdest place. I said I refused, and somebody came in two hours later and said to pack my bags."

• SAB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2023

Oxazepam for Anxiety "I was given 15 mg oxazepam capsules for panic attacks while titrating up on Prazosin. I also take 40 mg of Valium a day for PTSD. Serax is a low potency benzodiazepine with a short-intermediate half-life. I have found that out of every benzo this one takes the longest to kick in, approx. 1 hour on an empty stomach. It's not as 'intoxicating' as Valium is, but it still has a marked anti-anxiety effect. It is very similar to Librium. I was going through a nightmare with panic attacks and depersonalization/flashbacks, and the Serax definitely helped soften the blow."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2022

Oxazepam for Alcohol Withdrawal "I was administered Serax 10 mg HS for sleep while undergoing inpatient alcohol withdrawal. I was also administered Valium 10 mg TID/QID to prevent seizure, along with Dilantin. Despite the medication, I experienced a withdrawal seizure of 3 minutes' duration, which led to my being treated and released at a hospital emergency room, where I was administered exactly 1 mg of Ativan and treated like dirt because of my status as an alcoholic. The Serax helped me to get a little sleep after three nights of total insomnia, which is a common experience for persons in alcohol withdrawal. The onset of seizure is exacerbated by the total sleeplessness. I recommend Serax for sleep during alcohol withdrawal, but benzodiazepines must be used with caution by persons with addictive personalities, as addiction to 'benzos' is common, and withdrawal from 'benzos' is a serious, life-threatening process due to 'status epilepticus:' a seizure that cannot be stopped, followed by months of severe panic attacks."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2023

For Anxiety "I have previously been taking Xanax for 20 years, but my doctor is trying other medications, like oxazepam, to get me off Xanax and also to find something that's longer acting. I see that this medication has many positive reviews, but that was not my experience with oxazepam. I took 15 mg and it did nothing for my anxiety. 30 mg still was zero help with my anxiety, but it did make me slightly drowsy. I suspect it's because I've been on such a powerful medication for so long. I also had zero negative reactions or symptoms."

• Clh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2022

For Anxiety "I am a 62-year-old female. I have tried so many prescriptions that I've lost count. My psychiatrist prescribed oxazepam 10 mg three times a day. I am extremely paranoid about addiction, so I do not take it three times a day. I am extremely fearful and worried about becoming dependent on this drug and feel I’m only existing and not living my life! I do find myself reaching for oxazepam when I’m really struggling with severe anxiety symptoms. I keep asking my doctor and pharmacist about side effects and receive no answers. While it does work for short periods of time, I don't like taking this drug. Due to previous medications, I have non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, so I really feel the need to advocate for myself health-wise. I’m an absolute wreck and worry immensely about using these types of drugs, but my quality of life stinks. I am existing and not living."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2020

For Alcohol Withdrawal "I've been on a high dose of opioids for the last 3 years, generally 4 x OxyContin 80 mg daily, plus liquid hydromorphone, so I got on oxazepam for high-dose opiate withdrawal. I've since attempted to cease, and the restless legs at night are unbearable. I cannot sleep for more than one hour if I'm lucky. This has been going on for 2 weeks, and I'm exhausted. I tried clonidine with my doctor, I tried pregabalin, gabapentin, pramipexole, rotigotine, but no resolution. Oxazepam helps very minimally when taking it every 4 hours, but alprazolam for me tends to work more effectively to stop the restless legs at night to finally relax those restless legs. Nothing will stop them but more opioids or alprazolam. Oxazepam made me feel slightly drowsy but no real benefit for me, unfortunately."

• Anx...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2024

For Anxiety "Oxazepam helped me as an adjunctive and transitory agent to manage severe and devastating anxiety and OCD while introducing Zoloft. In the past, I used to take 150mg a day of Oxazepam for 3 months, which was successfully removed in the course of a month (by a licensed psychiatrist who gave me paroxetine and olanzapine: do not taper off this medication on your own). One day, I accidentally missed a 50mg dose and experienced the worst 6 hours of my life (extreme anxiety, tachycardia, vertigo, dizziness, panic, agitation, restlessness...). This drug showed efficacy for me in a transitory and adjunctive way, and I'm grateful to my doctor who used it cautiously minding its high addictive effects. Mindful use in a brief period of time along with the introduction of an SSRI was helpful and not detrimental."

• Lar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 12, 2023

"I have been taking oxazepam for 25 years. I have severe PTSD nightmares. I am afraid to go to sleep. When I manage to sleep, it is sporadic and uncomfortable. In the morning, I am exhausted and remember my nightmares. Oxazepam relaxes me, allowing me to go to sleep and stay asleep. Its amnesiac effect eliminates memories of my nightmares. Since it is short-acting, it has no effect on my daily activities."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 20, 2025

For Anxiety "Have suffered from anxiety since I was a child, but as an adult it completely took over my life to the point I could not function. After trial and error, my doctor prescribed oxazepam. I have been on it now for 2 years, with the occasional break for up to 8 weeks (no withdrawal symptoms). I take 45 mg spread out through the day. It doesn’t take anxiety away completely, but takes the “edge” off so I feel more relaxed and can make decisions. Leaving the house is still difficult, but I’m working on that."

• sto...
• April 9, 2016

For Anxiety "Had suffered bipolar for at least the last 28 years until I discovered lithium, it saved me. I no longer have mood swings or spending money I don't have and then crying for nothing. I read a lot of books until I discovered that I had bipolar."

• Anonymous
• March 12, 2017

For Anxiety "Do not take this medication, it's highly addictive, and coming off it has caused my daughter to have 3 to 4 seizures a day, and she's never had one in her life before cutting back. This drug is evil and should not be prescribed so easily. I myself need to taper off and am terrified of the withdrawals after watching my daughter go through hell. Stay away from benzodiazepines because once you start you can't stop. No warnings are given before you start taking them. Evil drugs."

• kay...
• June 26, 2013

Oxazepam for Anxiety "Just started taking Serax for my anxiety. I found it to make the anxiety go away!"

• Mai...
• January 2, 2014

Oxazepam for Anxiety "In the hospital, I was having major panic attacks. I was given Serax for bedtime. It was the only time I slept in the hospital."

• Luu...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 10, 2013

For Anxiety "I have been on 15 mg of oxazepam for 6 years for tremors, and it has helped me greatly. Couldn't write my name if I didn't take it. No side effects."

• Bet...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 10, 2019

For Insomnia "I have used it for the past 20 years. I take half or a bit more of a 5 mg tablet every night before bedtime. It helps me sleep longer hours."

• Rus...
• December 2, 2009

Oxazepam for Anxiety "I take 30 mg when needed, and it makes me calm. Don't mix with alcohol, effective medicine when used as prescribed."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 22, 2012

For Anxiety "I have taken this medication since 1980. I do not take more than I was first prescribed. I take less if I don't need one, I don't take it."

• kby...
• July 9, 2010

Oxazepam for Alcohol Withdrawal "This medicine worked well for my addiction to alcohol. Within a week's time, I was sober and feeling good, and a detox facility was not needed. All from the comfort of my own home."

• bib...
• July 16, 2011

For Anxiety "I take 30 mg. It calms me down, I'm less anxious. It does what it is supposed to."

• sle...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 31, 2017

For Insomnia "I use this medication to help me sleep and help with anxiety as well. The only major side effect is it makes me eat everything in sight. It should be used for those who need to gain weight."