Serax
® (
oxazepam) is a prescription medication approved to treat the following conditions:
(Click Serax Uses for more information on what the drug is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
Brand-name Serax is no longer being made. Currently,
generic Serax is made by the following manufacturers:
- Actavis Elizabeth
- Ivax Pharmaceuticals
- Sandoz Pharmaceuticals.
Serax is part of a group of medicines known as benzodiazepines.
These drugs have a variety of different effects on the body, including:
- Stopping seizures
- Reducing anxiety
- Causing sleepiness
- Relaxing muscles
- Impairing short-term memory.
All benzodiazepine medications can have each of these effects to some degree, depending on the specific medication and the dosage. They work in the brain by enhancing the effects of
gamma-aminobutyric acid (
GABA), a brain chemical that is naturally calming. GABA can slow down or stop certain nerve signals in the brain. This is why Serax and other benzodiazepines are known as mild tranquilizers, sedatives, or central nervous system depressants (CNS depressants).
Some general considerations for when and how to take Serax include:
- The medication comes in capsule form. It is taken by mouth, usually three or four times daily.
- Serax can be taken with or without food. If it bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
- Serax should be taken at the same time each day to maintain even levels of the drug in your blood.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Serax may cause serious problems if you take it at higher dosages or for a longer period of time than your healthcare provider recommends (see Oxazepam Addiction).
The dosage that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- The medical condition being treated
- Other medications you may be taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As always, do not adjust your Serax dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Serax. However, not everyone who takes the drug will have problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects of Serax include, but are not limited to:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- A spinning sensation (vertigo)
- Headaches.
(Click Serax Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Serax?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
You should also make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
People who take too much Serax may have overdose symptoms that could include:
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Lethargy
- Coordination problems
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Coma
- Loss of life.
If you happen to overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your Serax as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Generic Serax capsules are available in the following strengths:
- Oxazepam 10 mg
- Oxazepam 15 mg
- Oxazepam 30 mg.
Is There a Generic Version of Serax?
Brand-name Serax is no longer being made. Fortunately, generic Serax is licensed for sale and is still being manufactured
(see Generic Serax).
