Serax is a short- to intermediate
strength tranquilizer of the benzodiazepine family. It is used to treat
anxiety, insomnia and alcohol withdrawal.
Serax
is a Schedule IV drug and a possible carcinogen.
Alternative & street names:
Serax is a brand name of Oxazepam,
which is also marketed as Murelax, Alepam, Medopam, Opamox, Noripam, Purata,
Ox-Pam and Serepax,
How
is it taken?
Serax is taken as a tablet. Dosing
amounts vary depending on condition being treated: 10 to 15 mg for mild to
moderate anxiety or 15 to 30 mg for severe anxiety or alcohol withdrawal
syndrome.
Effects of
consumption
Serax
has properties consistent with other moderate benzodiazepines, including
amnesic, anti-anxiety, anti-convulsant, hypnotic, sedatives and skeletal muscle
relaxing qualities.
Serax
has a slow onset, so doctors usually prescribe it to patients who have trouble
staying asleep, instead of trouble falling asleep. It is also prescribed for
anxiety, anxiety combined with depression, and for alcohol withdrawal. Other
uses include treatment for social phobia, PTSD and PMS.
Impact on
the mind/body and health risks
Side effects of Serax may include:
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- headache
- memory
impairment
- paradoxical
excitement
- transient
global amnesia
Signs of
abuse of this substance
Due
to its slow absorption rate and its slow action onset, Serax has a low
potential of abuse compared to other drugs in its class of benzodiazepines.
Serax
is also less toxic than other benzodiazepines during overdose, although
overdose can be significantly more dangerous if Serax was mixed with opiates or
alcohol.
Symptoms
of an overdose on Serax include:
- respiratory
depression
- excessive
sleepiness
- altered
consciousness
- CNS
depression
- cardiovascular
toxicity
- deep
coma
Common
treatment options
Patients
should discontinue use of Serax under the care of a doctor. If patient is a
moderate user, the doctor might just lower the prescribed amount and treat the
patient in an out-patient capacity.
However, if
the patient is abusing Serax, combining it with alcohol or other drugs, or
began using Serax as a treatment for alcoholism, then the doctor might
recommend a 24/7 detox facility where the patient’s progress can be monitored
by a professional staff.
Withdrawal/detox
symptoms
Like
any benzodiazepine-type tranquilizer, Serax and other Oxazepam drugs can cause
addiction and benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome, which is similar to alcohol
or barbiturate withdrawal.
Side
effects due to rapid withdrawal of Serax could include:
- abdominal
and muscle cramps
- convulsions
- depression
- insomnia
- sweating
- tremors
- vomiting
Treatment
of Serax addiction and withdrawal should be undertaken with a gradual reduction
of the dosing regimen.