Summary
Oxazepam is an intermediate-acting benzodiazepine with slow onset used for anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, and insomnia. It is the active metabolite of diazepam, prazepam, and temazepam. Oxazepam has a slower onset than most benzodiazepines and is considered less sedating than alprazolam or lorazepam at therapeutic doses. It does not require hepatic oxidation and may be safer in patients with liver disease. Sudden discontinuation after prolonged use can result in withdrawal symptoms including seizures.
Dose Information
| ROA | Light | Common | Strong | Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 5-10mg | 10-30mg | 30-45mg | 45mg+ |
Light
Common
Strong
Heavy
Onset, Duration & After-effects
| ROA | Onset | Comeup | Peak | Offset | After Effects | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 0.5-2 hrs | 30-60 min | 2-4 hrs | 4-8 hrs | 12 hrs | 420-0 min |
Tolerance
Build-up
develops over 1–4 weeks of daily use; hypnotic tolerance faster than anxiolytic tolerance
Reset
weeks to months depending on half-life and duration of use; taper recommended
Cross-tolerance
Effects
Positive
- Muscle relaxation
- Physical euphoria
- Anxiolytic
- Anticonvulsant
- Muscle Relaxant
Negative
- Respiratory depression
- Sedation
- Hypnotic
- Sedative
- Dystaxia
Positive
- Anxiety suppression
Negative
- Motor control loss
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Thought deceleration
- Memory suppression
- Analysis suppression
- Cognitive impairment
- Amnesic
- Typical benzodiazepine effects
Positive
- Increased libido
- Appetite enhancement
Negative
- Disinhibition
- Acuity suppression
- Visual acuity suppression
- Acuity Suppression
- Decreased Libido
- Double vision
- Dulled perception
- Perception of bodily heaviness