Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Oxazepam as follows:
- Do not take oxazepam, if you ever manifested any allergic responses to intake of oxazepam or any other medications belonging to the same group as oxazepam, such as, temazepam, alprazolam, prazepam, and diazepam. In the event of an allergic response with any of these medications, check with your physician regarding your safety with intake of Oxazepam.
- Oxazepam, especially when taken in high doses, can lead to depression of respiratory center in the brain and difficulty breathing. Severe cases might also lead to emergency situations, such as, respiratory arrest and can result in serious debility and death. Oxazepam must be used with extra caution in individuals with history of breathing issues, such as, asthma and COPD, to prevent development of any episodes of severe SOB and respiratory arrest.
- Do not take Oxazepam along with alcohol, opioid pain medications, such as, hydrocodone and codeine, antipsychotic medications, antidepressant medications, anti-seizure medications, muscle relaxants, antihistamines, OTC cough syrups, and any other medications that carry a risk for depression of the central nervous system and the respiratory center, resulting in episodes of dizziness, confusion, difficulty breathing, and respiratory arrest. The individual influence of these medications on respirations and central nervous system can get added up, thus leading to severe respiratory depression, confusion, coma, and can even be fatal.
- Oxazepam intake can be habit-forming and carries an abuse potential. The risk for addiction and abuse can be even higher, especially in individuals with history of substance abuse. Oxazepam must be used with extreme caution or avoided in such individuals, to prevent any abuse and toxic side-effects with Oxazepam use.
