oxazepam

Oxazepam is a benzodiazepine medication used primarily for the short-term treatment of anxiety disorders. It is also prescribed for anxiety-related insomnia and is sometimes used to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

It acts as a positive allosteric modulator of the GABA-A receptor, enhancing GABAergic inhibition and producing anxiolytic, sedative, and muscle-relaxant effects.

Orally administered oxazepam is rapidly absorbed and is primarily eliminated by hepatic glucuronidation to inactive metabolites. It has an intermediate duration of action, with onset typically within an hour and effects lasting several hours.

Common adverse effects include drowsiness, dizziness, slowed reaction time, and confusion in older individuals. There is a risk of dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal with prolonged use. It can interact with alcohol and other central nervous system depressants, and caution is advised when driving or operating machinery. Contraindications include severe respiratory insufficiency, sleep apnea, acute narrow-angle glaucoma, significant liver impairment, and known hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines; pregnancy and lactation are generally avoided.

Oxazepam is a prescription medication and is regulated as a controlled substance in many countries because of potential misuse. It has been marketed under brand names such as Serax.