Please Wait
Applying Filters...
Menu
$ API Ref.Price (USD/KG) : 457Xls
2D Structure
Also known as: Serax, Tazepam, 604-75-1, Adumbran, Droxacepam, Zaxopam
Molecular Formula
C15H11ClN2O2
Molecular Weight
286.71  g/mol
InChI Key
ADIMAYPTOBDMTL-UHFFFAOYSA-N
FDA UNII
6GOW6DWN2A

A benzodiazepine used in the treatment of anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, and insomnia.
Oxazepam is a Benzodiazepine.
1 2D Structure

2D Structure

2 Identification
2.1 Computed Descriptors
2.1.1 IUPAC Name
7-chloro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one
2.1.2 InChI
InChI=1S/C15H11ClN2O2/c16-10-6-7-12-11(8-10)13(9-4-2-1-3-5-9)18-15(20)14(19)17-12/h1-8,15,20H,(H,17,19)
2.1.3 InChI Key
ADIMAYPTOBDMTL-UHFFFAOYSA-N
2.1.4 Canonical SMILES
C1=CC=C(C=C1)C2=NC(C(=O)NC3=C2C=C(C=C3)Cl)O
2.2 Other Identifiers
2.2.1 UNII
6GOW6DWN2A
2.3 Synonyms
2.3.1 MeSH Synonyms

1. Adumbran

2. Serax

3. Tazepam

2.3.2 Depositor-Supplied Synonyms

1. Serax

2. Tazepam

3. 604-75-1

4. Adumbran

5. Droxacepam

6. Zaxopam

7. Ansioxacepam

8. Anxiolit

9. Durazepam

10. Nesontil

11. Noctazepam

12. Praxiten

13. Psiquiwas

14. Quilibrex

15. Aplakil

16. Astress

17. Bonare

18. Drimuel

19. Isodin

20. Limbial

21. Murelax

22. Pacienx

23. Propax

24. Rondar

25. Sedigoa

26. Serenid

27. Serepax

28. Seresta

29. Serpax

30. Sobril

31. Vaben

32. Hi-long

33. Azutranquil

34. Psicopax

35. Sigacalm

36. Uskan

37. (rs)-oxazepam

38. Nortemazepam

39. Nozepam

40. Tarchomin

41. (+-)-oxazepam

42. Serenid-d

43. Oxazepamum

44. Oxozepam

45. Tacepam

46. Quen

47. Tranquo-buscopan-wirkstoff

48. Wy-3498

49. Z10-tr

50. Ro 5-6789

51. Cb 8092

52. 2h-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one, 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-

53. 7-chloro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-2h-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one

54. Oxazepam Civ

55. 7-chloro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one

56. 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-2h-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one

57. 6gow6dwn2a

58. Nsc-169448

59. Chebi:7823

60. Abboxapam

61. Lederpam

62. Alepam

63. Oxanid

64. Anxiolit Retard

65. Oxa-puren

66. J3.308a

67. N-desmethyltemazepam

68. Ossazepam [dcit]

69. Ncgc00159323-02

70. Ncgc00159323-03

71. Ossazepam

72. Oxazipam

73. Dsstox_cid_1087

74. Oxazepamum [inn-latin]

75. Dsstox_rid_75934

76. Dsstox_gsid_21087

77. Z 10 Tr

78. Wy 3498

79. Cas-604-75-1

80. Ccris 488

81. Serax (tn)

82. Hsdb 3140

83. Einecs 210-076-9

84. Unii-6gow6dwn2a

85. Nsc 169448

86. Oxazepam (jan/usp/inn)

87. Dea No. 2835

88. 1,3-dihydro-7-chloro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-2h-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one

89. Oxazepam [usan:usp:inn:ban:jan]

90. Oxazepam [hsdb]

91. Oxazepam [iarc]

92. Oxazepam [usan]

93. Oxazepam [inn]

94. Oxazepam [jan]

95. Oxazepam [mi]

96. Oxazepam [vandf]

97. (.+/-.)-oxazepam

98. Oxazepam [mart.]

99. Chembl568

100. Oxazepam [who-dd]

101. (+-)-7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-2h-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one

102. Oprea1_501459

103. Schembl27435

104. Temazepam Impurity, Oxazepam-

105. Divk1c_000986

106. Oxazepam [orange Book]

107. Oxazepam Civ [usp-rs]

108. Gtpl7253

109. Oxazepam [ep Monograph]

110. Dtxsid1021087

111. Niosh/df2371850

112. Oxazepam [usp Monograph]

113. Adimayptobdmtl-uhfffaoysa-

114. Bdbm85031

115. Hms503e13

116. Kbio1_000986

117. Oxazepam 0.1 Mg/ml In Methanol

118. Oxazepam 1.0 Mg/ml In Methanol

119. Ninds_000986

120. Nsc_4616

121. Tox21_111572

122. Tox21_112819

123. Tox21_200700

124. Tox21_303501

125. 1,3-dihydro-7-chloro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-3h-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one

126. 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-2h-1,4-benzodiazepine-2-one

127. 7-chloro-1,4-benzodiazepine-2-one

128. Mfcd00057903

129. Nsc169448

130. Akos016347293

131. Db00842

132. 2h-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one, 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-, (+-)-

133. Idi1_000986

134. Wln: T67 Gmv Jn Ihj Cg Iq Kr

135. Ncgc00159323-04

136. Ncgc00257352-01

137. Ncgc00258254-01

138. Cas_604-75-1

139. Temazepam Impurity B [ep Impurity]

140. Df23718500

141. C07359

142. D00464

143. 604o751

144. Q412299

145. Sr-01000942251

146. 2h-1, 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-

147. 7-chloro-5-phenyl-3h-1,4-benzodiazepine-2,3-diol

148. Sr-01000942251-1

149. Temazepam Impurity, Oxazepam- [usp Impurity]

150. 7-chloro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one

151. Oxazepam Solution, Drug Standard, 1.0 Mg/ml In Methanol

152. Oxazepam, European Pharmacopoeia (ep) Reference Standard

153. 3-hydroxy-1,3-dihydro-7-chloro-5-phenyl-2h-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one

154. 3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-7-chloro-2,3-dihydro-1h-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one

155. 3h-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one, 1,3-dihydro-7-chloro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-

156. 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1,4 [2hl-benzodiazepin-2-one

157. 7-chloro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-benzo[e][1,4]diazepin-2-one

158. 7-chloro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1h-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one

159. (+/-)-7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-2h-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one

160. 2h-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one, 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-, (+/-)-

161. 7-chloro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-2h-benzo[e][1,4]diazepin-2-one

162. Oxazepam For Peak Identification, European Pharmacopoeia (ep) Reference Standard

163. Oxazepam Solution, 1 Mg/ml In Methanol, Ampule Of 1 Ml, Certified Reference Material

2.4 Create Date
2004-09-16
3 Chemical and Physical Properties
Molecular Weight 286.71 g/mol
Molecular Formula C15H11ClN2O2
XLogP32.2
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count2
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count3
Rotatable Bond Count1
Exact Mass286.0509053 g/mol
Monoisotopic Mass286.0509053 g/mol
Topological Polar Surface Area61.7 Ų
Heavy Atom Count20
Formal Charge0
Complexity407
Isotope Atom Count0
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count0
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count1
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count0
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count0
Covalently Bonded Unit Count1
4 Drug and Medication Information
4.1 Drug Information
1 of 2  
Drug NameOxazepam
PubMed HealthOxazepam (By mouth)
Drug ClassesAntianxiety
Drug LabelOxazepam is the first of a chemical series of compounds, the 3-hydroxybenzodiazepinones. A therapeutic agent providing versatility and flexibility in control of common emotional disturbances, this product exerts prompt action in a wide variety of dis...
Active IngredientOxazepam
Dosage FormCapsule
RouteOral
Strength30mg; 15mg; 10mg
Market StatusPrescription
CompanySandoz; Actavis Elizabeth

2 of 2  
Drug NameOxazepam
PubMed HealthOxazepam (By mouth)
Drug ClassesAntianxiety
Drug LabelOxazepam is the first of a chemical series of compounds, the 3-hydroxybenzodiazepinones. A therapeutic agent providing versatility and flexibility in control of common emotional disturbances, this product exerts prompt action in a wide variety of dis...
Active IngredientOxazepam
Dosage FormCapsule
RouteOral
Strength30mg; 15mg; 10mg
Market StatusPrescription
CompanySandoz; Actavis Elizabeth

4.2 Therapeutic Uses

Anti-Anxiety Agents, Benzodiazepine; GABA Modulators; Sedatives, Nonbarbiturate

National Library of Medicine's Medical Subject Headings online file (MeSH, 1999)


... Oxazepam /is/ indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety. ... /Included in US product labeling/

Thomson.Micromedex. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. 24th ed. Volume 1. Plus Updates. Content Reviewed by the United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc. Greenwood Village, CO. 2004., p. 518


... Oxazepam /is/ indicated for the adjunctive management of anxiety associated with mental depression. Effectiveness of ... /this/ medication for long-term use has not been assessed in systematic clinical studies. The medication's efficacy in an individual patient should be reassessed at periodic intervals. /Included in US product labeling/

Thomson.Micromedex. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. 24th ed. Volume 1. Plus Updates. Content Reviewed by the United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc. Greenwood Village, CO. 2004., p. 518


... Oxazepam ... /is/ indicated for the relief of acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as acute agitation, tremor, impending or acute delirium tremens, and hallucinosis. /Included in US product labeling/

Thomson.Micromedex. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. 24th ed. Volume 1. Plus Updates. Content Reviewed by the United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc. Greenwood Village, CO. 2004., p. 519


4.3 Drug Warning

Late third trimester use and exposure during labor seems to be associated with much greater risks to the fetus and neonate. Some infants exposed at this time exhibit either the floppy infant syndrome or marked neonatal withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms vary from mild sedation, hypotonia, and reluctance to suck, to apneic spells, cyanosis, and impaired metabolic responses to cold stress. These symptoms have been reported to persist for periods from hours to months after birth. This correlates well with the pharmacokinetic and placental transfer of the benzodiazepines and their disposition in the neonate. /Benzodiazepines/

Dart, R.C. (ed). Medical Toxicology. Third Edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Philadelphia, PA. 2004., p. 817


Potentially serious, adverse behavioral effects occasionally have been associated with benzodiazepine use. Such effects include confusion, bizarre or abnormal behavior, agitation, hyperexcitability, auditory and visual hallucinations, paranoid ideation, panic, delirium, agitation, sleepwalking, aggression and antisocial acts; in some cases, amnesia about the behavior may occur. ... /Benzodiazepines/

McEvoy, G.K. (ed.). American Hospital Formulary Service- Drug Information 2004. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. 2004 (Plus Supplements)., p. 2376


Benzodiazepine abuse is common and occurs with all benzodiazepines. ... /Benzodiazepines/

Dart, R.C. (ed). Medical Toxicology. Third Edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Philadelphia, PA. 2004., p. 819


Patients should be warned that benzodiazepines may impair ability to perform hazardous activities requiring mental alertness or physical coordination (e.g., operating machinery, driving a motor vehicle). Patients also should be warned about possible effects on memory (anterograde amnesia) and to report promptly to their physician any behavioral or mental change, including disturbing thought and unusual manners of conduct, that develops during benzodiazepine therapy. Benzodiazepines should be used with caution and large quantities of the drugs should not be prescribed for patient with suicidal tendencies or whose history indicates that they may increase dosage on their own initiative. /Benzodiazepines/

McEvoy, G.K. (ed.). American Hospital Formulary Service- Drug Information 2004. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. 2004 (Plus Supplements)., p. 2376


For more Drug Warnings (Complete) data for OXAZEPAM (16 total), please visit the HSDB record page.


4.4 Drug Indication

Oxazepam is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders and for the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety. It may also be used in the management of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.


5 Pharmacology and Biochemistry
5.1 Pharmacology

Benzodiazepines, including oxazepam, exert their sedative and anxiolytic effects by potentiating the effects of endogenous GABA, the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS. Compared to other benzodiazepines, it has relatively low potency and a moderate duration of action. Oxazepam should be administered with caution to patients for whom a drop in blood pressure may lead to cardiac complications as, in rare cases, it may cause hypotension.


5.2 MeSH Pharmacological Classification

GABA Modulators

Substances that do not act as agonists or antagonists but do affect the GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID receptor-ionophore complex. GABA-A receptors (RECEPTORS, GABA-A) appear to have at least three allosteric sites at which modulators act: a site at which BENZODIAZEPINES act by increasing the opening frequency of GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-activated chloride channels; a site at which BARBITURATES act to prolong the duration of channel opening; and a site at which some steroids may act. GENERAL ANESTHETICS probably act at least partly by potentiating GABAergic responses, but they are not included here. (See all compounds classified as GABA Modulators.)


Hypnotics and Sedatives

Drugs used to induce drowsiness or sleep or to reduce psychological excitement or anxiety. (See all compounds classified as Hypnotics and Sedatives.)


Anti-Anxiety Agents

Agents that alleviate ANXIETY, tension, and ANXIETY DISORDERS, promote sedation, and have a calming effect without affecting clarity of consciousness or neurologic conditions. ADRENERGIC BETA-ANTAGONISTS are commonly used in the symptomatic treatment of anxiety but are not included here. (See all compounds classified as Anti-Anxiety Agents.)


5.3 FDA Pharmacological Classification
5.3.1 Active Moiety
OXAZEPAM
5.3.2 FDA UNII
6GOW6DWN2A
5.3.3 Pharmacological Classes
Benzodiazepines [CS]; Benzodiazepine [EPC]
5.4 ATC Code

N05BA04

S76 | LUXPHARMA | Pharmaceuticals Marketed in Luxembourg | Pharmaceuticals marketed in Luxembourg, as published by d'Gesondheetskeess (CNS, la caisse nationale de sante, www.cns.lu), mapped by name to structures using CompTox by R. Singh et al. (in prep.). List downloaded from https://cns.public.lu/en/legislations/textes-coordonnes/liste-med-comm.html. Dataset DOI:10.5281/zenodo.4587355


N - Nervous system

N05 - Psycholeptics

N05B - Anxiolytics

N05BA - Benzodiazepine derivatives

N05BA04 - Oxazepam


5.5 Absorption, Distribution and Excretion

Absorption

Following oral administration, peak plasma levels (Cmax) averaged 450 mg/mL and occurred approximately 3 hours (Tmax) after dosing.


Route of Elimination

Oxazepam is primarily eliminated in the urine as its glucuronide metabolite, with the feces containing approximately 21% of the unchanged drug. The majority of an orally ingested dose of oxazepam is excreted within 48 hours.


The miniature swine (like humans) eliminated oxazepam primarily as the glucuronides, while aromatic hydroxylation predominated in the rat. In rats, 70.7 +/- 6.0% of a single oral dose of 20 mg/kg bw was eliminated in feces following biliary secretion, while 18.9 +/- 2.4% of the dose was found in the urine. In CD-1 mice given an oral dose of 22 mg/kg bw oxazepam, 57.8% was recovered from the feces and 27.3% was recovered from urine over five days. ... Treatment with 2500 mg/kg diet (ppm) oxazepam in the diet for 14 days before administration of oxazepam by gastric instillation led to a shift from fecal to urinary excretion in mice, but not rats, so that the urinary excretion almost doubled.

IARC. Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans. Geneva: World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 1972-PRESENT. (Multivolume work). Available at: https://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Classification/index.php, p. V66 126 (1996)


Oxazepam accumulates in adipose tissue. /It was/ found that adipose tissue/blood ratios of the drug in mice given 5 mg/kg bw intravenously varied from 1.7 (at 5 min) to 4.9 (at 30 min). Accumulation also occurred in the brain. Maximal concentrations of oxazepam in the brain were 14.3 +/- 0.17 ug/g in mice, 4.5 +/- 0.03 ug/g in rats and 3.5 +/- 0.47 ug/g in guinea-pigs, all at 5 min. Brain/blood drug level ratios in these species varied from 1.1 (at 1 min) to 11.3 (at 10 hr) in mice, from 1.9 (at 1 min) to 6.2 (at 1 hr) in rats and from 1.9 (at 5 min) to 8.9 (at 5 hr) in guinea-pigs.

IARC. Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans. Geneva: World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 1972-PRESENT. (Multivolume work). Available at: https://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Classification/index.php, p. V66 126 (1996)


/It was/ found that the time of maximum absorption of 30 mg oxazepam was 2.2 hr (range, 0.75-4.25 hr) in 18 men and 3.1 hr (range, 0.5-8.0 hr) in 20 women. The maximal plasma concentrations in this study were 622 +/- 37 ng/mL in men and 837 +/- 51 ng/mL in women.

IARC. Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans. Geneva: World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 1972-PRESENT. (Multivolume work). Available at: https://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Classification/index.php, p. V66 123 (1996)


Oxazepam is absorbed fairly rapidly, reaching peak plasma concentrations within 1-4 hr, with a mean of about 2 hr in most studies.

IARC. Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans. Geneva: World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 1972-PRESENT. (Multivolume work). Available at: https://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Classification/index.php, p. V66 123 (1996)


The plasma concentrations of oxazepam in male B6C3F1 mice fed diet containing 125 and 2500 mg/kg (ppm) oxazepam appeared to reach steady-state levels by one week of feeding. These levels were 1 ug/mL for the low-dose group and 5-10 ug/mL for the high-dose group

IARC. Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans. Geneva: World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 1972-PRESENT. (Multivolume work). Available at: https://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Classification/index.php, p. V66 124 (1996)


5.6 Metabolism/Metabolites

Oxazepam has a single major inactive metabolite, a glucuronide conjugate. The glucuronidation of the S-isomer is catalyzed by UGT2B15. The glucuronidation of the R-isomer is catalyzed by UGT2B7 and UGT1A9.


The metabolism and the anticonvulsant effect of clorazepate were followed for 2 h after its i.v. administration to mice. The ED50 of the drug was 12 mg/kg at 1 min against pentetrazole-induced convulsions (45 mg/kg i.v.), it reached a minimum at 1 hr (2.0 mg/kg) and rose to 2.7 mg/kg at 2 h. The concentrations of unchanged clorazepate and its metabolites, desmethyldiazepam and oxazepam, were determined in plasma and brain after administration of the respective ED50s. Unchanged clorazepate could be detected in plasma for the first hour but never in brain, so it can be considered as inactive pro-drug. The brain concentrations of desmethyldiazepam and oxazepam after the respective ED50s of clorazepate were considerably higher at 1 and 15 min than after longer time intervals. This may be explained by a time lag needed to reach and bind to the benzodiazepine receptor.

PMID:2908106 Frey HH, Scherki R; Eur J Pharmacol 158 (3): 213-6 (1988)


... Oxazepam ... /is/ metabolized by direct conjugation with glucuronic acid.

Thomson.Micromedex. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. 24th ed. Volume 1. Plus Updates. Content Reviewed by the United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc. Greenwood Village, CO. 2004., p. 520


Oxazepam is a commonly used 1,4-benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug that is polymorphically metabolized in humans. However, the molecular basis for this phenomenon is currently unknown. We have previously shown that S-oxazepam glucuronide, the major oxazepam metabolite, is selectively formed by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 2B15, whereas the minor Roxazepam glucuronide is produced by multiple UGTs other than UGT2B15. Phenotype-genotype studies were conducted using microsomes and DNA prepared from the same set of 54 human livers. Sequencing of the UGT2B15 gene revealed three nonsynonymous polymorphisms, D85Y, T352I, and K523T, with variant allele frequencies of 0.56, 0.02, and 0.40, respectively. D85Y genotype showed a significant effect (p = 0.012) on S-oxazepam glucuronidation with lower median activities in 85Y/Y livers (49 pmol/min/mg protein) compared with 85D/D livers (131 pmol/min/mg), whereas 85D/Y livers were intermediate in activity (65 pmol/min/mg). There was also a significant trend (p = 0.049) for higher S-oxazepam activities in the two 352T/I livers (135 and 210 pmol/min/mg) compared with the remaining 352T/T livers (median, 64 pmol/min/mg). Conversely, K523T genotype had no apparent effect on oxazepam glucuronidation (p > 0.05). Donor gender also significantly influenced S-oxazepam glucuronidation with higher median activities in male (65 pmol/min/mg) compared with female (39 pmol/min/ mg) livers (p = 0.042). R-Oxazepam glucuronidation was not affected by either genotype or gender (p > 0.05). In conclusion, gender and D85Y genotype are identified as major determinants of S-oxazepam glucuronidation by human liver and may explain in part polymorphic oxazepam glucuronidation by human subjects.

PMID:15044558 Court MH et al; J Pharmacol Exp Ther 310 (2): 656-65 (2004)


There are three major pathways of oxazepam metabolism in mice and rats (as in humans): direct conjugation, phenyl ring oxidation and diazepine ring contraction. In mice, conjugation is mainly with glucuronide, predominantly excreted in the urine; in rats, conjugation is mainly with sulfate, which is almost entirely eliminated in the feces. The sulfate conjugate of oxazepam, which is unstable in acidic media, may be the source of the fecal oxazepam It has not been detected in mice. Studies with recirculating, perfused male Swiss (CD-1) mouse liver preparations showed that oxazepam glucuronides are the dominant liver metabolites in this species. Oxazepam can also be conjugated with glucuronide by the placenta of rabbits, apparently in contrast to the human organ. Phenyl ring oxidation is more important in rats than in mice (or humans) and a dihydrodiol (probably the 3',4'- dihydrodiol, since 2'-hydroxy derivatives are not known) accounts for about 30% of the 72-hr urinary metabolites in Fischer 344 rats. This metabolite, which probably forms via an arene oxide intermediate and has not been found in mice, holds implications for the toxicological properties of oxazepam. In rats, ring contraction to 6-chloro-4-phenyl- 2(1H)-quinazoline carboxylic acid occurs to roughly one half of the extent seen in mice.

IARC. Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans. Geneva: World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 1972-PRESENT. (Multivolume work). Available at: https://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Classification/index.php, p. V66 126 (1996)


A method for the extraction of diazepam and its metabolites (nordiazepam, temazepam, and oxazepam) from equine urine and serum and their quantitation and confirmation by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry is presented. Valium, a formulation of diazepam, was administered at a dose of 10 mg intramuscularly to four standard-bred mares. Diazepam is extensively metabolized in the horse to nordiazepam, temazepam, and oxazepam. Diazepam urinary concentrations were found to be less than 6 ng/mL. Nordiazepam was found to be mainly in its glucuronide-conjugated form and was measured out to a collection time of 53-55 hr. Oxazepam and temazepam were entirely conjugated, and their urinary concentrations were measured out to collection times of 121 hr and 77-79 hr, respectively. Diazepam and nordiazepam were measured in equine postadministration serum out to collection times of 6 and 54 hr, respectively. Oxazepam and temazepam were not detected in postadministration serum.

PMID:10022206 Marland A et al; J Anal Toxicol 23 (1): 29-34 (1999)


Oxazepam has known human metabolites that include Oxazepam glucuronide.

Oxazepam is a known human metabolite of nordiazepam and schembl29464.

S73 | METXBIODB | Metabolite Reaction Database from BioTransformer | DOI:10.5281/zenodo.4056560


5.7 Biological Half-Life

The mean elimination half-life of oxazepam is 8.2 hours.


Considerable variation in the elimination half life has been reported, with mean values ranging from about 5 to about 15 hr. Values of 6.7 hr (range, 5.5-9.2 hr) and 5.8 hr (range, 5.4- 8.4 hr) /were found/ following intravenous and oral administration, respectively. A sex difference has been reported, with a value of 7.8 +/- 0.4 hr (range, 4.9-10.8 hr) in men and 9.7 +/- 0.8 hr (range, 6.3-19.4 hr) in women.

IARC. Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans. Geneva: World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 1972-PRESENT. (Multivolume work). Available at: https://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Classification/index.php, p. V66 123 (1996)


Elimination half-life of oxazepam is 3-21 hr. /From table/

McEvoy, G.K. (ed.). American Hospital Formulary Service- Drug Information 2004. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. 2004 (Plus Supplements)., p. 2380


5.8 Mechanism of Action

Like other benzodiazepines, oxazepam exerts its anxiolytic effects by potentiating the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on GABA(A) receptors, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors in the mammalian brain. GABA(A) receptors are a component of GABA-gated ionotropic chloride channels that produce inhibitory postsynaptic potentials - following activation by GABA, the channel undergoes a conformational change that allows the passage of chloride ions through the channel. The inhibitory potentials produced by GABA neurotransmission play an integral role in the suppression and control of epileptiform nerve firing such as that seen in epilepsy, which makes the GABA system a desirable target in the treatment of epilepsy. Benzodiazepines are positive allosteric modulators of GABA(A) function. They bind to the interface between alpha () and gamma () subunits on the receptor, commonly referred to as the benzodiazepine binding site, and modulate the receptor such that its inhibitory response to GABA binding is dramatically increased.


The inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), acts on GABAA receptors to regulate vigilance, anxiety, muscle tension, epileptogenic activity and memory functions. Benzodiazepines modulate GABA-evoked chloride currents through a binding site on the GABAA receptor-operated chloride channel. GABA agonists and benzodiazepine agonists simultaneously enhance the binding of the other to its receptor. Benzodiazepine binding appears to shift the GABA receptor from a low affinity state to a high affinity state and also stabilizes the receptor in a conformation that permits the ion channel to remain open. Similarly, GABA binding also enhances benzodiazepine agonist binding to its receptor via the same mechanism. Thus, GABA receptor agonist and benzodiazepine receptor agonists are positive allosteric effectors for each other.

Dart, R.C. (ed). Medical Toxicology. Third Edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Philadelphia, PA. 2004., p. 816-7


The exact sites and mode of action of the benzodiazepines are unknown. The drugs appear to act at the limbic, thalamic, and hypothalamic levels of the CNS, producing anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, skeletal muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsant effects. The effects of benzodiazepines may be mediated through the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid. Benzodiazepines are capable of producing all levels of CNS depression from mild sedation to hypnosis to coma. /Benzodiazepines/

McEvoy, G.K. (ed.). American Hospital Formulary Service- Drug Information 2004. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. 2004 (Plus Supplements)., p. 2379


Anxiolytic and possibly paradoxical CNS stimulatory effects of benzodiazepines are postulated to result from release of previously suppressed responses (disinhibition). After usual doses of benzodiazepines for several days, the drugs cause a moderate decrease in rapid eye movement sleep. Rapid eye movement rebound does not occur when the drugs are withdrawn. Stage 3 and 4 sleep are markedly reduced by usual doses of the drugs; the clinical importance of these sleep stage alterations has not been established. /Benzodiazepines/

McEvoy, G.K. (ed.). American Hospital Formulary Service- Drug Information 2004. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. 2004 (Plus Supplements)., p. 2379


Benzodiazepines appear to produce skeletal muscle relaxation predominantly by inhibiting spinal polysynaptic afferent pathways, but the drugs may also inhibit monosynaptic afferent pathways. The drugs may inhibit monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflexes by acting as inhibitory neuronal transmitters or by blocking exitatory synaptic transmission. The drugs may also directly depress motor nerve and muscle function. /Benzodiazepines/

McEvoy, G.K. (ed.). American Hospital Formulary Service- Drug Information 2004. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. 2004 (Plus Supplements)., p. 2379