Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v3.7.0.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Apr. 28, 2017
Document And Entity Information    
Entity Registrant Name OXIS INTERNATIONAL INC  
Entity Central Index Key 0000109657  
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2017  
Amendment Flag false  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Is Entity a Well-known Seasoned Issuer? No  
Is Entity a Voluntary Filer? No  
Is Entity's Reporting Status Current? Yes  
Entity Filer Category Smaller Reporting Company  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   144,713,162
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2017