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Oxazepam

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Oxazepam
Clinical data
Pregnancy
category
  • ?
Routes of
administration		Oral
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability95.5%
MetabolismHepatic
Elimination half-life4-14 hours
ExcretionRenal
Identifiers
  • (RS)-9-chloro-4-hydroxy-6-phenyl-
    2,5-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undeca-
    5,8,10,12-tetraen-3-one
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.009.161 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC15H11ClN2O2
Molar mass286.71 g·mol−1
  (verify)

Oxazepam (marketed in English speaking countries under the following brand names Alepam, Medopam, Murelax, Noripam, Ox-Pam, Purata, Serax and Serepax), is a drug which is a benzodiazepine derivative.[2] Oxazepam is a benzodiazepine used extensively since the 1960s for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia and in the control of symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. It is a metabolite of diazepam, prazepam and temazepam.[3] Oxazepam has moderate amnesic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, hypnotic, sedative and skeletal muscle relaxant properties compared to other benzodiazepines.[4]

Indications

It is an intermediate acting benzodiazepine with a slow onset of action, so it is usually prescribed to individuals who have trouble staying asleep, rather than falling asleep. It is commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders with associated tension, irritability, and agitation. It is also prescribed for drug and alcohol withdrawal, and for anxiety associated with depression. Physicians may use Serax outside its approved indications to treat social phobia, posttraumatic stress disorder, insomnia, premenstrual syndrome, and other conditions.[5]

Dosage

  • Mild/moderate anxiety - 10 to 15 mg, 3 to 4 times daily
  • Severe anxiety - 15 to 30 mg, 3 to 4 times daily
  • Symptoms related to alcohol withdrawal - 15 to 30 mg, 3 to 4 times daily

Availability

In the United Kingdom, oxazepam is available generically in the form of 10 mg, 15 mg and 30 mg tablets. In Finland, oxazepam is available generically in the form of 15 mg, 30 mg and 50 mg tablets.

Usage

Oxazepam along with diazepam, nitrazepam and temazepam, were the four benzodiazepines listed on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme and represented 82% of the benzodiazepine prescriptions in Australia in 1990-1991.[6]

Side effects

The side effects of oxazepam are similar in nature to those of other benzodiazepines.

Side effects may include: Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, memory impairment, paradoxical excitement, transient global amnesia.

Side effects due to rapid decrease in dose or abrupt withdrawal from oxazepam may include: Abdominal and muscle cramps, convulsions, depression, inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, sweating, tremors, vomiting[7], or death.

Contraindications

Oxazepam is contraindicated in Myasthenia gravis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and limited pulmonary reserve, as well as severe hepatic disease.

Special precautions

Benzodiazepines require special precaution if used in the elderly, during pregnancy, in children, alcohol- or drug-dependent individuals and individuals with comorbid psychiatric disorders.[8] Benzodiazepines including oxazepam are lipophilic drugs and rapidly penetrate membranes and therefore rapidly cross over into the placenta with significant uptake of the drug. Use of benzodiazepines in late pregnancy especially high doses may result in floppy infant syndrome.[9]

Pregnancy

Oxazepam when taken during late in pregnancy, the third trimester, causes a definite risk to the neonate including a severe benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome in the neonate with symptoms including hypotonia, and reluctance to suck, to apnoeic spells, cyanosis, and impaired metabolic responses to cold stress. Floppy infant syndrome and sedation in the new born may also occur. Symptoms of floppy infant syndrome and the neonatal benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome have been reported to persist from hours to months after birth.[10]

Tolerance, dependence and withdrawal

Oxazepam as with other benzodiazepine drugs can cause tolerance, physical dependence, addiction and what is known as the benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. Withdrawal from oxazepam or other benzodiazepines often leads to withdrawal symptoms which are similar to those seen during alcohol and barbiturate withdrawal. The higher the dose and the longer the drug is taken the greater the risk of experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can however occur at standard dosages and also after short term use. Benzodiazepine treatment should be discontinued as soon as possible via a slow and gradual dose reduction regimen.[11]

Pharmacology

Oxazepam is an intermediate acting benzodiazepine. Oxazepam acts on benzodiazepine receptors resulting in increased effect of GABA to the GABAA receptor which results in inhibitory effects on the central nervous system.[12][13] The half-life of oxazepam is 4–15 hours.[14] Oxazepam has been shown to suppress cortisol levels.[15]

Oxazepam is an active metabolite formed during the breakdown of diazepam, nordazepam, and certain similar drugs. Oxazepam may be safer than many other benzodiazepines in patients with impaired liver function because it does not require hepatic oxidation, but rather it is simply metabolized via glucuronidation. This means that oxazepam is less likely to accumulate and cause adverse reactions in the elderly or people with liver disease. Oxazepam is similar to lorazepam in this respect. (1) There is preferential storage of oxazepam in some organs including the heart of the neonate. Absorption by any administered route and the risk of accumulation is significantly increased in the neonate and it is recommended to withdraw oxazepam during pregnancy and breast feeding as oxazepam is excreted in breast milk.[16]

Interactions

As oxazepam is an active metabolite of diazepam, there is likely an overlap in possible interactions with other drugs or food, with exception of the pharmacokinetic CYP450 interactions (e.g. with cimetidine). Take precautions, and follow closely the prescription of your doctor, when taking oxazepam (or other benozodiazepines) in combinations with antidepressant medication (SSRIs such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil, or multiple reuptake inhibitors such as Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, or Effexor), potent painkillers (opioids, e.g. morphine, oxycodone or methadone). Concurrent use of these medicines (as well as other benzodiazepines) can interact in a way that is difficult to predict. Do not drink alcohol while taking oxazepam. Concomitant use of oxazepam and alcohol can lead to increased sedation, severe problems with coordination (ataxiae), decreased muscle tone and in severe cases or in predisposed patients even to life-threatening intoxications with respiratory depression, coma and collapse. Concomitant use of alcohol and oxazepam (as well as other benzodiazepines) also increases the risk of an addiction. [citation needed]

Overdose

Main article: Benzodiazepine overdose

Oxazepam is generally less toxic in overdose than other benzodiazepines.[17] Important factors which effect the severity of a benzodiazepine overdose include the dose injested, the age of the patient, health status prior to overdose. Benzodiazepine overdoses can be much more dangerous if there has been a coingestion of other CNS depressants such as opiates or alcohol. Symptoms of an oxazepam overdose include:[18][19][20]

Abuse

See also: Benzodiazepine drug misuse

Oxazepam is a drug with the potential for misuse. Drug misuse is defined as taking the drug to achieve a high, or continuing to take the drug in the long term against medical advice.[21] Benzodiazepines, including diazepam, oxazepam, nitrazepam, and flunitrazepam, accounted for the largest volume of forged drug prescriptions in Sweden 1982-1986. During this time, a total of 52% of drug forgeries were for benzodiazepines, suggesting benzodiazepines were a major prescription drug class of abuse.[22]

Oxazepam is a Schedule IV drug under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances [1].

Carcinogenicity

Oxazepam is listed as a possible carcinogen (Group 2b) by the IARC.

See also

References

  1. ^ "FDA-sourced list of all drugs with black box warnings (Use Download Full Results and View Query links.)". nctr-crs.fda.gov. FDA. Retrieved 22 Oct 2023.
  2. ^ "Benzodiazepine Names". non-benzodiazepines.org.uk. Retrieved 2008-12-29.
  3. ^ "Oxazepam (IARC Summary & Evaluation, Volume 66, 1996)". IARC. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
  4. ^ Mandrioli R, Mercolini L, Raggi MA (2008). "Benzodiazepine metabolism: an analytical perspective". Curr. Drug Metab. 9 (8): 827–44. doi:10.2174/138920008786049258. PMID 18855614. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ http://www.psychatlanta.com/documents/serax.pdf
  6. ^ Mant A (1993). "Benzodiazepine utilisation in Australia: report from a new pharmacoepidemiological database". Aust J Public Health. 17 (4): 345–9. PMID 7911332. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  7. ^ Oxazepam patient advice including side effects
  8. ^ Authier, N.; Balayssac, D.; Sautereau, M.; Zangarelli, A.; Courty, P.; Somogyi, AA.; Vennat, B.; Llorca, PM.; Eschalier, A. (2009). "Benzodiazepine dependence: focus on withdrawal syndrome". Ann Pharm Fr. 67 (6): 408–13. doi:10.1016/j.pharma.2009.07.001. PMID 19900604. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  9. ^ Kanto JH. (1982). "Use of benzodiazepines during pregnancy, labour and lactation, with particular reference to pharmacokinetic considerations". Drugs. 23 (5): 354–80. doi:10.2165/00003495-198223050-00002. PMID 6124415. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  10. ^ McElhatton PR. (1994). "The effects of benzodiazepine use during pregnancy and lactation". Reprod Toxicol. 8 (6): 461–75. doi:10.1016/0890-6238(94)90029-9. PMID 7881198. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  11. ^ MacKinnon GL (1982). "Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome: a literature review and evaluation". The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse. 9 (1): 19–33. doi:10.3109/00952998209002608. PMID 6133446. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ Skerritt JH (May 6, 1983). "Enhancement of GABA binding by benzodiazepines and related anxiolytics". Eur J Pharmacol. 89 (3–4): 193–8. doi:10.1016/0014-2999(83)90494-6. PMID 6135616. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ Oelschläger H. (July 4, 1989). "[Chemical and pharmacologic aspects of benzodiazepines]". Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax. 78 (27–28): 766–72. PMID 2570451. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  14. ^ Professor heather Ashton (2007). "BENZODIAZEPINE EQUIVALENCY TABLE". Retrieved September 23, 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  15. ^ Christensen P (1992). "Benzodiazepine-induced sedation and cortisol suppression. A placebo-controlled comparison of oxazepam and nitrazepam in healthy male volunteers". Psychopharmacology. 106 (4): 511–6. doi:10.1007/BF02244823. PMID 1349754. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ Olive G (1977). "Pharmacologic bases of use of benzodiazepines in peréinatal medicine". Arch Fr Pediatr. 34(1): 74–89. PMID 851373. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  17. ^ Buckley NA, Dawson AH, Whyte IM, O'Connell DL (28 January 1995). "Relative toxicity of benzodiazepines in overdose". BMJ. 310 (6974): 219–21. PMID 7866122.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ Gaudreault P, Guay J, Thivierge RL, Verdy I (1991). "Benzodiazepine poisoning. Clinical and pharmacological considerations and treatment". Drug Saf. 6 (4): 247–65. PMID 1888441.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ Perry HE, Shannon MW (1996). "Diagnosis and management of opioid- and benzodiazepine-induced comatose overdose in children". Curr. Opin. Pediatr. 8 (3): 243–7. PMID 8814402. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  20. ^ Busto U, Kaplan HL, Sellers EM (1980). "Benzodiazepine-associated emergencies in Toronto". Am J Psychiatry. 137 (2): 224–7. PMID 6101526. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ Griffiths RR, Johnson MW (2005). "Relative abuse liability of hypnotic drugs: a conceptual framework and algorithm for differentiating among compounds". J Clin Psychiatry. 66 Suppl 9: 31–41. PMID 16336040.
  22. ^ Bergman U (1989). "Use of prescription forgeries in a drug abuse surveillance network". Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 36 (6): 621–3. doi:10.1007/BF00637747. PMID 2776820. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
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