Consumer Medicine Information
OX-PAM™
oxazepam 10 mg and 15 mg tablets
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about OX-PAM tablets.
It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What OX-PAM is used for
OX-PAM contains the active ingredient oxazepam. OX-PAM belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. It is recommended that treatment with benzodiazapines should be short term in order to prevent dependency on this medicine.
Oxazepam acts on overactive nerves by means of chemical interactions. The result is inhibition of signals in certain parts of your brain, which may be responsible for your emotions or movement.
It is used to:
- treat anxiety especially anxiety associated with mental depression
- provide relief of acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms
Your doctor, however, may have prescribed OX-PAM tablets for another purpose.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions why OX-PAM tablets have been prescribed for you.
This medicine is a controlled drug (Class C) and can only be got on prescription from your doctor.
Before you take OX-PAM
When you must not take it
Do not take OX-PAM if you have had an allergic reaction to:
- oxazepam
- other benzodiazapines
- any ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
Do not take OX-PAM if you have the following medical conditions:
- coma
- shock
- glaucoma (high pressure in the eye)
- liver impairment
- kidney impairment
- hyperkinesias (hyperactivity)
- hypoalbuminaemia (not enough of the protein albumin in the blood)
- myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness marked by progressive paralysis)
- organic brain disorders - unknown origin and cause
- depression with or without anxiety unless OX-PAM is used in conjunction with another treatment since OX-PAM may induce suicide or aggressive behaviour.
- chronic psychotic, phobic or obsessive behaviour
Do not take OX-PAM if you:
- have severe alcohol intoxication
- have a history of drug abuse and dependency
- have suicidal tendencies
Do not take OX-PAM if:
- the package is torn or shows signs of tampering
- the expiry date printed on the pack has passed
If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
If the pharmacist has repacked the medicine for you, there may not be an expiry date on the pack.
If you are not sure if you should be taking OX-PAM tablets, talk to your doctor.
Before you start to take it
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives.
- Tell your doctor if you are or intend to
become pregnant.
There may be a risk of malformations present at birth if you take this medicine during the first trimester.
Prolonged doses of benzodiazepines during pregnancy may cause physical dependence with resulting withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.
Use of benzodiazepines during the last weeks of pregnancy for sleep disorders may result in the depression of the brain and spinal nervous system (central nervous system).
Use of benzodiazepines just prior to or during labour may cause floppiness in the newborn.
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking this medicine during pregnancy. - Tell your doctor if you are or intend to
breastfeed
Oxazepam may enter breast milk. Use by nursing mothers may cause sedation, feeding difficulties and weight loss. Nursing mothers should avoid taking OX-PAM if they are breastfeeding or use an infant formula. - Do not operate machinery of any sort or drive a vehicle while taking OX-PAM. It may cause blurred vision, dizziness and impair concentration.
- Tell your doctor if you have epilepsy.
The initiation or abrupt withdrawal of benzodiazepine therapy has occasionally provoked seizures. - Caution is advised in elderly or
debilitated patients.
The elderly are more likely to experience side effects. Some side effects such as drowsiness, unsteadiness and lack of muscle co-ordination increases the risk of falling or dropping hot objects. - OX-PAM may enhance the effects of other centrally-acting medicines and alcohol.
- Caution is advised in children.
Children are more sensitive to the effects of benzodiazepines.
Tell your doctor if you have breathing difficulties, arteriosclerosis (blocked blood flow in the brain), liver or kidney disease.
- If you are having laboratory tests done, tell your doctor you are taking OX-PAM as this medicine may effect the results.
- OX-PAM may result in psychological and physical dependence even with short-term use. Withdrawal symptoms and rebound effects may occur especially with short-acting agents. Withdrawal should be gradual.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines including any that you have bought from a pharmacy, supermarket or healthfood shop.
OX-PAM tablets have the potential to interact with the following medicines:
- other addictive medications
- alcohol
- centrally-acting medicines
- tricyclic antidepressants
- carbamazepine
- magnesium sulphate (injection)
- probenecid
- levodopa
- zidovudine
These medicines may be affected by OX-PAM, or may affect how well it works. Your doctor will advise you.
Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking OX-PAM.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure you are taking any of these medicines.
How OX-PAM tablets are taken
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist
carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
How much and when to take it
Your doctor will tell you how many OX-PAM tablets you or your child should take each day.
How to take it
Swallow OX-PAM tablets whole with a glass of water. OX-PAM tablets may be taken with or without meals.
How long to take it
Take it for as long as your doctor has prescribed. However, courses should be as brief as possible, up to one week for sleep disturbances or three weeks for anxiety. Intermittent use may be acceptable.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and then continue taking it as you would normally.
Do not double a dose to make up for the one you missed.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering your dose, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
While you are taking OX-PAM
Things you must do
Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you, that you are taking OX-PAM tablets.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking OX-PAM tablets.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your doctor you are taking OX-PAM tablets.
Tell your doctor if you feel the tablets are not helping your condition.
After long term use, tolerance will occur.
Be sure to keep all your appointments with your doctor so that your progress can be checked.
Things you must not do
Do not stop taking OX-PAM tablets or change the dose without first
checking with your doctor.
Abrupt discontinuation of OX-PAM may result in withdrawal symptoms and rebound
effects.
Abrupt withdrawal may result in the following effects:
- apprehension and weakness
- anxiety
- headache
- dizziness
- abdominal cramps
- insomnia
- tachycardia (abnormal heartbeat)
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how OX-PAM affects you.
Do not let yourself run out of medicine over the weekend or on holidays.
Do not give OX-PAM tablets to anyone else even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not use OX-PAM tablets to treat other complaints unless your doctor says to.
Do not take any other medicines whether they require a prescription or not without first telling your doctor or consulting a pharmacist.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking OX-PAM tablets.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
OX-PAM is usually well tolerated, however, tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- drowsiness
- light-headedness
- ataxia (lack of muscle co-ordination)
- nausea
- constipation
- visual disturbances such as changes in colour vision
- skin rash
- loss of bladder control
- incontinence
Tell your doctor immediately, or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Centre, if you notice any of the following:
- allergic reaction - symptoms may include: rash, fainting, breathing difficulties
- mood changes such as excitement and restlessness
- coma
- hypotension
- central nervous depression
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Overdose
Immediately telephone your doctor or National Poisons Information Centre (telephone 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766) for advice, or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Centre if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too many OX-PAM tablets. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Storage
Keep your tablets in the original container and protect from light until
it is time to take them.
If you take the medicine out of its container, it may not keep well.
Keep OX-PAM tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.
Do not store it, or any other medicine, in a bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it in the car or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep OX-PAM tablets where children cannot reach them.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a
good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking OX-PAM tablets, or the medicine has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any remaining tablets.
Product description
What it looks like
10 mg Tablet: White, round, flat tablet having a diameter of 7.94 mm and a bisecting score on one side.
15 mg Tablet: Yellow, round, flat tablet having a diameter of 7.94 mm and a bisecting score on one side.
All strengths are available in plastic bottles in quantities of 100.
Other ingredients
10 mg tablets: Maize cornflour, Lactose and Magnesium stearate.
15 mg tablets: Maize cornflour, Lactose, Magnesium stearate, D&C Yellow No 10 and Sunset Yellow FCF Aluminium lake.
Sponsor
Douglas Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Central Park Drive,
Lincoln 0610
Auckland
Date of preparation:
August 2009