Oxazepam Addiction

Oxazepam and other benzodiazepine medicines -- such as alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, and clonazepam -- have the potential to be abused. Some people who take oxazepam may become addicted to the medication, meaning that they feel they need to keep taking it (or to take it in progressively higher dosages), even when no medical need is present. A person is more prone to oxazepam addiction if he or she has been taking the drug daily for a longer period of time or at higher dosages -- or if he or she has a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

An Overview of Oxazepam Addiction

Oxazepam (Serax®) is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal and anxiety. It belongs to of a group of medications known as benzodiazepines. As with other benzodiazepines, there is the possibility of becoming addicted to oxazepam. You may be addicted to oxazepam if you feel like you need to continue to take the medicine (or to take progressively higher oxazepam dosages), even when no medical need is present.
 
Oxazepam addiction is more likely if the medicine has been taken daily for a longer period of time or at higher doses. It is also more likely in people with a history of alcohol or drug addiction.
 

Understanding CNS Depressants

Central nervous system depressants (CNS depressants), sometimes referred to as sedatives and tranquilizers, are substances that can slow normal brain function.
 Because of this property, some CNS depressants are useful in the treatment of anxiety and sleep disorders. Benzodiazepines are one example of CNS depressants. Beside oxazepam, some of the more commonly used benzodiazepines include:
 
Another class of CNS depressant medicines are barbiturates, such as mephobarbital (Mebaral®), pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal®), and phenobarbital (Luminal®).
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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