Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Valium vs. Oxazepam

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Diazepam (Valium) and oxazepam are both benzodiazepines used to treat anxiety and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, but they have some differences. Diazepam is available in multiple forms, including tablets, liquid, and injections, while oxazepam is only available as oral capsules. Diazepam can also treat muscle spasms and seizures, which oxazepam is not approved for. Diazepam tends to stay in your body longer than oxazepam, meaning you might feel its effects for a longer time. Both medications can cause drowsiness and dizziness, but oxazepam is noted for causing vertigo and headaches more commonly. Diazepam is generally not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and oxazepam carries similar risks. Both medications have a risk of misuse and dependence, so they should be taken exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

  • Diazepam (Valium)
    Oxazepam
  • Diazepam (Valium)
    Oxazepam

  • Summary of Valium vs. Oxazepam

    Summary for Benzodiazepine
    Prescription only

    Diazepam (Valium) is a benzodiazepine. It's used to treat symptoms of anxiety and alcohol withdrawal. It can also treat certain types of muscle spasms and seizures. Diazepam (Valium) comes as a tablet and liquid solution. It's taken by mouth, typically 2 to 4 times daily. Some common side effects of diazepam (Valium) include sleepiness, dizziness, and weakness. Additionally, this medication carries a risk for misuse and dependence, so it's classified as a controlled substance.

    Summary for Benzodiazepine
    Prescription only

    Oxazepam is used to treat short-term anxiety, and it also works well to prevent alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It comes as a capsule that you take 3 or 4 times a day. The most common side effects of oxazepam include drowsiness, dizziness, headache, and vertigo. The brand name version is no longer available, but there's a lower-cost generic version.

  • Indications of Valium vs. Oxazepam

    Indications for
    •Anxiety disorders and short-term anxiety symptoms
    •Alcohol withdrawal symptoms
    •Muscle spasms or spasticity from certain conditions, such as cerebral palsy and stiff-person syndrome (SPS)
    •Add-on to other medications for seizures
    Indications for
    •Anxiety
    •Alcohol withdrawal

  • Pros and Cons of Valium vs. Oxazepam

    Pros and Const for Benzodiazepine
    Pros
    •Taken by mouth
    •Available as tablets and liquid
    •Works within 30 minutes
    Cons
    •Might need to take multiple times a day
    •Short-term use only because risk for dependence
    •Generally not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding
    Pros and Const for Benzodiazepine
    Pros
    •Lower-cost generic available
    •One of the first-choice treatment options for alcohol withdrawal
    •Can be taken by children as young as 6 years old (although you need to work with your child's provider for dosing if they're younger than 12)
    •A possible option for people with liver problems
    Cons
    •Can cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking oxazepam suddenly
    •Not known if it's safe to take long-term (e.g., more than 4 months)
    •Can cause low blood pressure, so might not be safe in older adults with heart problems
    •Usually taken multiple times a day

  • Common Side Effects of Valium vs. Oxazepam

    Common Side Effects for
    •Sleepiness
    •Dizziness
    •Muscle weakness
    •Problems with balance or coordination
    •Memory problems
    Common Side Effects for
    •Drowsiness
    •Dizziness
    •Vertigo, feeling like the room is spinning
    •Headache

  • Warnings of Valium vs. Oxazepam

    Common Side Effects for
    •Extreme sleepiness and difficulty breathing
    •Misuse and dependence
    •Withdrawal
    •Harm to babies during pregnancy and after delivery
    •Interactions with other medications
    •Use with caution in people with depression
    Common Side Effects for
    •Extreme sleepiness, slowed breathing, coma, and death
    •Potential for misuse, dependence, and withdrawal
    •Harm to babies during pregnancy and after delivery

  • Prices with our coupons for Valium vs. Oxazepam

    Learn more about Diazepam
    Learn more about Oxazepam

Compare other Anxiety and Alcohol Dependence drugs

Ambien vs ValiumAtarax vs ValiumAtivan vs ValiumFlexeril vs ValiumLibrium vs ValiumOleptro vs ValiumProzac vs ValiumRobaxin vs ValiumSonata vs ValiumTizanidine vs ValiumValium vs ChlordiazepoxideValium vs GablofenValium vs KlonopinValium vs NeurontinValium vs NorflexValium vs NorgesicValium vs OxazepamValium vs TegretolValium vs TriazolamValium vs UnisomValium vs XanaxZoloft vs ValiumAtarax vs AtivanAtarax vs KlonopinAtarax vs ZyrtecAtivan vs LibriumBenadryl vs AtaraxLibrium vs EskalithLibrium vs KlonopinLibrium vs Xanax
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.