[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Benzodiazepines](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/benzodiazepines/) › Oxazepam

[Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · [Benzodiazepines](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/benzodiazepines/)

# Oxazepam

A short-to-intermediate benzodiazepine with no active metabolites, used for anxiety and alcohol withdrawal, often when the liver is damaged.

Updated 2026-11-01

- Class: [Benzodiazepines](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/benzodiazepines/)
- Receptor: GABA-A receptor, benzodiazepine site
- ATC code: N05BA04

◎**GABA-A receptor, benzodiazepine site**Oxazepam

ⓘ The figure shows diazepam, a benzodiazepine that occupies the same site, bound to the human GABA-A receptor (α1β2γ2) with GABA; no structure with oxazepam is available.

**Target in 3D:** GABA-A receptor, benzodiazepine site. PDB structure 6X3X (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/6X3X) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

## Mechanism of action

Oxazepam binds the benzodiazepine site of the GABA-A receptor and makes GABA open the chloride channel more often. It is itself a metabolite of diazepam and is simply glucuronidated to an inactive product.

- Binds the benzodiazepine site of the GABA-A receptor
- GABA opens the chloride channel more often
- Glucuronidated to an inactive product

## Pharmacokinetics

**Metabolism**
A single inactive glucuronide

**Elimination**
In the urine

**Half-life**
About 8 hours on average; longer in people over 80

## Indications

- Anxiety disorders, including anxiety with depression [Generalized anxiety disorder →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/generalized-anxiety-disorder/)
- Acute alcohol withdrawal [Alcohol withdrawal and delirium tremens →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/alcohol-withdrawal-and-delirium-tremens/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Paradoxical excitement in older adults

### Serious (rare, important)

- Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death when combined with opioids
- Abuse, misuse and addiction
- Physical dependence; stopping suddenly can cause life-threatening withdrawal, including seizures

## Contraindications

- Hypersensitivity to oxazepam
- Psychoses (not an indication)

## Key interactions

**Opioids**
Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death

**Alcohol and other central nervous system depressants**
Additive sedation and breathing depression

## What is monitored

- Sedation and breathing
- Low blood pressure and falls in older adults
- Withdrawal signs during tapering

## Administration and safety

- Given by mouth (capsules)
- Controlled medicine; tapered when stopped

## Nursing care

- Before each dose, check level of alertness, breathing rate and oxygen saturation
- Ask about opioids, alcohol and other sedatives
- Prevent falls, especially in older adults (unsteadiness, confusion)
- Teach not to drive or drink alcohol and not to stop the medicine suddenly

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Use late in pregnancy can cause sedation and withdrawal symptoms in the newborn, who is watched after birth.

## Memory aid

Oxazepam: one of «LOT» (Lorazepam, Oxazepam, Temazepam) – no active metabolites, easy on the liver.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Why is oxazepam useful in alcohol withdrawal with liver damage?

It is only glucuronidated, with no active metabolites, so it accumulates less.

## Oxazepam is a metabolite of which benzodiazepine?

Diazepam (and temazepam).

## In whom is the half-life of oxazepam longer?

In people over 80.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/oxazepam/)

## Related drugs

- [Lorazepam](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/lorazepam/)
- [Temazepam](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/temazepam/)
- [Diazepam](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/diazepam/)
- [Flumazenil](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/flumazenil/)

## Related conditions

- [Generalized anxiety disorder](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/generalized-anxiety-disorder/)
- [Alcohol withdrawal and delirium tremens](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/alcohol-withdrawal-and-delirium-tremens/)

[← Back to the class: Benzodiazepines](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/benzodiazepines/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [DailyMed - OXAZEPAM capsule](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=bb6d9142-3647-4591-8f84-31b61b755634) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [DailyMed - DIAZEPAM tablet](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c397a9da-862f-4f3f-8109-7d21691de53a) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=N05BA04) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/oxazepam/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/oxazepam/