Serax

Oxazepam is also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Pregnancy Category: D

Lactation: Avoid during breastfeeding

Minor tranquilizers should be avoided in 1st trimester of pregnancy due to increased risk of congenital malformations

Maternal use shortly before delivery is associated with floppy infant syndrome (good and consistent evidence)

Prenatal benzodiazepine exposure slightly increased oral cleft risk (limited or inconsistent evidence)

Pregnancy Categories

A:Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B:May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C:Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D:Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X:Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA:Information not available.

Serax is a prescription medication used to treat anxiety, including symptoms of anxiety caused by alcohol withdrawal.

Serax belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. These work by slowing activity in the brain, which allows for relaxation.

This medication comes in capsule form and is taken 3 to 4 times a day. It may be taken with or without food.

Common side effects of Serax include tiredness, weakness, dry mouth, and upset stomach.

Serax can also cause blurred vision, drowsiness, and dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Serax affects you.

The brand name product Serax is no longer available in the United States. Generic alternatives are available.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• levodopa (Larodopa, Sinemet)
• medication for depression, seizures, Parkinson's disease, pain, asthma, colds, or allergies
• muscle relaxants
• oral contraceptives
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• probenecid (Benemid)
• rifampin (Rifadine)
• sedatives
• sleeping pills
• theophylline (Theo-Dur)
• tranquilizers

This is not a complete list of Serax drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

If you take too much Serax, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If Serax is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of oxazepam can be fatal, especially if you take it with alcohol.

Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, weakness, muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination, fainting, or coma.

In the U.S.

• Serax

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet
• Capsule

Therapeutic Class: Antianxiety

Pharmacologic Class: Benzodiazepine, Short or Intermediate Acting