MSI_000004699

Oxazepam is only found in individuals that have used or taken this drug. It is an intermediate-acting benzodiazepine used to treat alcohol withdrawal and anxiety disorders. It is a metabolite of diazepam, prazepam, temazepam, and clorazepate, and has moderate amnesic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, hypnotic, sedative, and skeletal muscle relaxant properties compared to other benzodiazepines (Wikipedia). Like other benzodiazepines, oxazepam exerts its anxiolytic effects by potentiating the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on GABA-A receptors through a cooperative mechanism of action. GABA receptors are ionotropic chloride-linked channel receptors that produce inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. When activated by GABA, the GABA receptor/chloride ionophore complex undergoes a conformational change that allows the passage of chloride ions through the channel. Benzodiazepines are believed to exert their effect by increasing the effect of GABA at its receptor. Benzodiazepine binding increases chloride conductance in the presence of GABA by increasing the frequency at which the channel opens. In contrast, barbiturates increase chloride conductance in the presence of GABA by prolonging the time in which the channel remains open. There are 18 subtypes of the GABA receptor subunits. The α₂ subunit of the α₂β₃γ₂ receptor complex is thought to mediate anxiolytic effects while the α₁ subunit of the α₁β₂γ₂ receptor complex is thought to mediate sedative, anticonvulsant, and anterograde amnesia effects. D002491 - Central Nervous System Agents > D002492 - Central Nervous System Depressants > D006993 - Hypnotics and Sedatives D002492 - Central Nervous System Depressants > D014149 - Tranquilizing Agents > D014151 - Anti-Anxiety Agents D002491 - Central Nervous System Agents > D011619 - Psychotropic Drugs > D014149 - Tranquilizing Agents N - Nervous system > N05 - Psycholeptics > N05B - Anxiolytics > N05BA - Benzodiazepine derivatives C78272 - Agent Affecting Nervous System > C29756 - Sedative and Hypnotic > C1012 - Benzodiazepine D018377 - Neurotransmitter Agents > D018682 - GABA Agents > D018757 - GABA Modulators C78272 - Agent Affecting Nervous System > C28197 - Antianxiety Agent