Oxazepam overdose

Oxazepam is a medicine used to treat anxiety and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. It belongs to the class of medicines known as benzodiazepines. Oxazepam overdose occurs when someone takes too much of this medicine.

Benzodiazepines are the most common prescription drugs used in suicide attempts.

This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with overdoses, call the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

Oxazepam

Symptoms

Symptoms of oxazepam overdose include:

• Blurred or double vision, rapid side-to-side movement of eyes (nystagmus)

  Double vision

  There are many types of eye problems and vision disturbances, such as: Halos Blurred vision (the loss of sharpness of vision and the inability to see...

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  Side-to-side movement of eyes

  Nystagmus is a term to describe uncontrollable movements of the eyes that may be:Side to side (horizontal nystagmus)Up and down (vertical nystagmus)R...

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• Coma (decreased level of consciousness and lack of responsiveness)

  Coma

  Decreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness and is often a serious condition. A coma is the most severe state of decreased alertness from whi...

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• Confusion

  Confusion

  Confusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and have difficulty paying attention, remembe...

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• Dizziness
• Drowsiness, tiredness, fainting

  Drowsiness

  Drowsiness refers to feeling more sleepy than normal during the day. People who are drowsy may fall asleep when they do not want to or at times whic...

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• Nausea
• Rash
• Slowed or absent breathing
• Stupor (decreased level of alertness)
• Slurred speech
• Weakness, uncoordinated movement, staggering gait (ataxia, seen commonly in children)

  Uncoordinated movement

  Uncoordinated movement is due to a muscle control problem that causes an inability to coordinate movements. It leads to a jerky, unsteady, to-and-fr...

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Before Calling Emergency

The following information is helpful for emergency assistance:

• Person's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed
• If the medicine was prescribed for the person

DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available.

Poison Control

The local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can also get online poison help now at Poisonhelp.org. Just enter the product, poison, or medicine to get expert help.

For more information about America's Poison centers, go to poisoncenters.org.

If you go to the emergency room, take the container with you, if possible. 
 

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The person may receive:

• Activated charcoal
• Blood and urine tests
• Breathing support, including oxygen, tube through the mouth (intubation), and breathing machine (ventilator)
• Chest x-ray
• CT scan

  CT scan

  A computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...

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• ECG (electrocardiogram), or heart tracing

  Electrocardiogram

  An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.

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• Fluids through a vein (intravenous or IV)
• Laxative
• Medicines to treat symptoms, including flumazenil, an antidote to reverse the effect of the overdose

Outlook (Prognosis)

Recovery usually occurs with proper treatment. People who are in a prolonged coma or who have respiratory complications may have permanent disability.

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