Alepam (Oxazepam)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Alepam Used For?
Alepam contains oxazepam, a benzodiazepine medication that works by acting on brain chemicals to help manage anxiety and related conditions.
Primary Uses
Alepam is used to treat anxiety, including anxiety associated with depression, and to manage tremor, anxiety, and confusion that occur with alcohol withdrawal.
How It Works
As a benzodiazepine, Alepam is thought to work by acting on the brain chemicals to reduce anxiety and related symptoms.
Important: Your doctor may have prescribed Alepam for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why it has been prescribed for you.
How to Take Alepam
The dose of Alepam varies from person to person. Your doctor will tell you exactly how many tablets to take each day and when to take them based on your condition.
Dosage Instructions
Swallow the tablets with a glass of water. Alepam can be taken with or without food. Take it only for as long as your doctor recommends, usually for short periods only (such as 2 to 4 weeks). Take it regularly at the same time each day.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then go back to taking your tablets normally. If you’re not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. This may increase the chance of getting unwanted side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- dizziness, drowsiness, feeling tired
- lightheadedness or feeling faint
- headache
- nausea, stomach pain
- unpleasant dreams
- slurred speech
- blurred vision
- tingling or numbness of the hands or feet
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- confusion
- behavioural or mood changes such as sudden rage, increased excitement
- hallucinations
- signs of frequent infections such as fever, chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
- yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
- dark coloured urine
- fainting
- any type of skin rash, itching or hives
- swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
- wheezing or shortness of breath
Important Warnings
Benzodiazepines like Alepam should generally be taken for short periods only. Continuous long-term use is not recommended unless advised by your doctor, as it may lead to dependence.
Who Should Not Take Alepam
Do not use Alepam if you are allergic to oxazepam or any other benzodiazepine medicine, have severe and chronic respiratory disease, have sleep apnoea, or if the expiry date has passed.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have low blood pressure, myasthenia gravis, glaucoma, liver or kidney problems, depression, psychosis or schizophrenia, epilepsy, fits or convulsions, drug or alcohol dependence, or if you drink alcohol regularly or plan to have surgery.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Alepam should not be used during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester as it may increase the risk of birth defects. It may cause unwanted effects in newborn babies if taken during late pregnancy or childbirth. Alepam passes into breast milk and may cause drowsiness and feeding difficulties in babies.
Elderly Patients: Be careful if you are elderly, unwell or taking other medicines. You may have an increased chance of getting side effects such as drowsiness, confusion, dizziness and unsteadiness, which may increase the risk of a fall.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Alepam and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
- other sleeping tablets, sedatives or tranquillisers
- medicines for depression, schizophrenia and other mental illnesses
- medicines to treat epilepsy and fits
- antihistamines, medicines for allergies, colds or travel sickness
- some medicines used to treat Parkinson’s disease
- muscle relaxants
- strong pain relievers
Alcohol & Driving
Alepam can affect your ability to drive and may interact dangerously with alcohol.
Alcohol
Be careful when drinking alcohol. Combining Alepam and alcohol can make you more drowsy, dizzy or lightheaded. Your doctor may suggest that you avoid alcohol while taking Alepam.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Alepam affects you. Alepam may cause drowsiness or dizziness in some people. If this occurs, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Storage
Keep your tablets in their blister pack until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets out of the blister pack they may not keep well. Store in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C, away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Alepam, you may need urgent medical attention. Symptoms may include feeling drowsy, tired, confused, dizzy, having low muscle strength, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, lack of coordination, feeling weak or becoming unconscious. It can be rarely fatal. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Alepam should usually be taken for short periods only, such as 2 to 4 weeks. Continuous long-term use is not recommended unless advised by your doctor, as benzodiazepines may lead to dependence.
Yes, Alepam can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablets with a glass of water.
Yes, the use of benzodiazepines like Alepam may lead to dependence on the medicine. This is why it should generally be taken for short periods only unless advised otherwise by your doctor.
Stopping Alepam suddenly may cause unwanted withdrawal effects including insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, vomiting, sweating, fits, and memory problems. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount before stopping completely.
Be careful when drinking alcohol. Combining Alepam and alcohol can make you more drowsy, dizzy or lightheaded. Your doctor may suggest that you avoid alcohol while taking Alepam.
Elderly patients should be especially careful as they may have an increased chance of getting side effects such as drowsiness, confusion, dizziness and unsteadiness, which may increase the risk of falls.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.