The Best Time To Take Lexapro For Anxiety – How To Choose The Right Time

Quick Answer: What’s the Best Time to Take Lepraxo?

Lexapro is the trade name for the antidepressant escitalopram. It is known to be a very effective antidepressant, but it tends to make you more alert. Because of that, even though the lexapro is helping your anxiety and low mood, you may find if you take it at night, you can’t sleep.

So, what’s the best time to take lexapro? Is it in the morning at nighttime?

Mostly you will be advised to take it once daily in the morning. This means that when it the level of the medication in your blood is reducing concentrations throughout the day, so any alerting effect has diminished by bedtime.

Very occasionally, patients tell me that lexapro doesn’t keep them awake, in fact it makes them drowsy. In that case, it can be taken at bedtime.

But mostly, you will be told to take escitalopram / lepraxo in the morning to avoid insomnia.

Many people find it doesn’t affect them either way, drowsy or wakeful.

What Is Lexapro?

Escitalopram, which is sold under the brand name Lexapro or Cipralex, is in a group of medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This group of drugs is used to treat mental health conditions and mood problems like major depression and anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

It is approved by the FDA in the USA and NICE in the UK. It can be helpful with panic attacks.

Lexapro is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant used to treat major depression and generalised anxiety disorders. 

It was made by the Danish drug company Lundbeck in the summer of 1997 and sent to the FDA in March 2001. 

Its brand name is Lexapro, and it has been sold in the US since 2002. 

More than 18 million US adults take it to treat low mood, anxiousness, or both. 
Escitalopram oxalate was made for the first time in 2002 by Lundbeck.

The FDA approved the first generic version of Lexapro,  on March 14, 2012. Generic version are cheaper than brand versions

Taking Lexapro In The Morning Or At Nighttime

Escitalopram Oxalate (Lexapro) usually makes people more wakeful, though I have had patients who say it causes drowsiness. Antidepressants tend to be alerting or sedating and at their extreme ends can cause either insomnia, or drowsiness. Neither is ideal for quality of life.

When it comes to taking medication there are a few factors to consider like how drowsiness during the day will affect your productivity and schoolwork, and whether you have any other medication that interacts with it. If everything looks okay after making this switch, then go ahead and take lexapro in the morning!

Are there any alternatives to Lexapro that do not cause insomnia?

If you are having trouble sleeping through the night, it may be a better option to switch to taking Lexapro in the morning. If sleep was already a#, then you might consider mirtazapine, which is not an SSRI but a tetracyclic antidepressant whose side effects include sleepiness.

If you cannot tolerate SSRI or SNRI medication, you might be better trying cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). People who take medication and have psychotherapy like this tend to respond better than people just doing one of the other

For older adults, doses of medication are reduced.

How to Switch Lexapro From Night to Morning

Switching to morning dosing of Lexapro can be a big adjustment for some, but it’s important to know when the best time is to make the switch. The recommended time period is usually 3-5 days, but this change can vary depending on the person’s individual needs. To make the switch easier, keep a diary of your symptoms and how they’ve been feeling throughout the day. Additionally, always speak with your doctor before making any changes to medication dosage or schedule – their recommendations may vary depending on your individual situation. So, whether you’re looking to ease into morning dosing or switch completely to morning dosing, make sure to consult with your doctor first.

Lexapro Dosage

The usual effective dose of Lexapro is 20 mg, but you can be prescribed from 5mg (in older adults) to great strengths depending on how you respond. The number of doses per day is usually just one.

How Long Does Lexapro Take to Work?

Lexapro is meant to treat anxiousness and lowered mood, so it will take time for the effects to kick in. The dosage you take also depends on your symptoms and how severe they are. It usually takes around two weeks for the full effect to be felt – sometimes shorter or longer depending on the person. Clinical trials have found it effective.

What Are the Side Effects of Lexapro?

Like with any medicine, it can also have side effects. Some of the side effects of lexapro include dizziness, drowsiness, diarrhea, dry mouth, constipation, and weight gain.

Oddly, it can also cause a decrease in appetite leading to weight loss.

There are not usually any severe side effects.

All the SSRIs cause sexual dysfunction unfortunately to a greater or lesser extent. If avoiding this is an important issue you, you will want to get your questions answered by getting medical advice from a doctor or local mental health services.

As far as we know escitalopram is safe for long-term use

Serotonin Syndrome

Serotonin syndrome is a rare but potentially serious condition that occurs when the body has too much serotonin, a chemical produced by the nerve cells. Symptoms can include:

• Nervousness.
• Nausea, vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Dilated pupils.
• Tremor.Moderate symptoms
• Agitation,
• Restlessness.
• Muscle twitching,
• Involuntary muscle contractions,
• Muscle spasms,
• Muscle rigidity.
• Sweating,
• shivering.Abnormal (side-to-side) eye movements.
• Severe symptoms
• Confusion,
• Disorientation,
• Delirium.
• Rapid heart rate.
• High blood pressure.
• High body temperature (greater than 101.3 Fahrenheit [38.5 Celsius]).
• Seizures.
• Abnormal heartbeat.
• Passing out,
• Fainting.

However, it is rare. I have seen it five times in my career and treated thousands of patients who were taking serotonergic medication. Burt if you have these symptoms, seek medical attention.

What is serotonin discontinuation syndrome?

Lexapro works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. If you stop taking it abruptly, your body will start to make more serotonin on its own. This can lead to symptoms like nervousness, muscle aches, and shakiness. To avoid these side effects, it’s important to take Lexapro at the same time every day. Doing so will ensure the best results and minimize side effects.

Alternatives To Escitalopram (Lexapro)

The easiest switch would be to another SSRI like fluoxetine, or citalopram, but these are also quite alerting. SNRIs like venlafaxine and duloxetine tend to be even more alerting due to them increasing availability of noradrenalin (norepinephrine). Antidrepressants of other classes like mirtazapine, trazodone and clomipramine will make you sleepy. Bupropion (Zyban) is not licensed in the UK for depression or anxiety, due to it increasing suicidal thoughts, but it is licensed for depressive disorder and anxiety in other parts of the world.

The old fashioned MAOIs like phenelzine are not recommended because of their wide range of sometimes fatal interactions with foods, supplements and other medications. Serzone is not recommended because it causes liver damage.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Lexapro, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Never double up on doses of Lexapro or any other medication. In the event that the missed dose does not work, take another dose as soon as possible. Don’t wait for the next scheduled dose – that will only increase the risk of side effects. Finally, never combine Lexapro with other medications without consulting your doctor first.

Overdose: What Happens If I Take Too Much Lexapro?

If you’re considering taking Lexapro treatment for anxiousness, it’s important to be aware of the potential side effects. This includes overdose, which can lead to serious health problems.

Some of the side effects of an overdose of Lexapro include drowsiness or dizziness, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), seizures, and even death. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to immediately seek medical attention. Additionally, be sure to keep all medications and supplements in a safe place and store them out of reach of children. Remember, taking Lexapro in excessive amounts can be harmful and ultimately unnecessary.

What Other Medications Interact With Lexapro?

For anyone suffering from anxiousness, knowing when to take Lexapro can be a daunting task. That’s because Lexapro is a medication that can interact with other medications. This means that the effects of one medication may be changed or even negated by Lexapro. If you are taking any other medications, it’s important to discuss the risks and benefits of combining them with Lexapro before starting treatment. Additionally, Lexapro can interact with other medications in a number of ways – for example, by increasing or reducing their effectiveness.

It’s also important to talk to your doctor about when to take Lexapro based on your individual anxiety symptoms and health situation. With this information, you can make an informed decision about whether or not Lexapro is right for you.

Timing Your Lexapro to Get Maximum Benefit: Conclusion

You know have my thoughts on when you should take Lexapro to treat anxiety, whether that’s in the morning or evening. If it makes you wakeful, take it in the morning, if it makes you sleepy (rare) take lexapro at night.

You will also know the dosage and strength to take, as well as any side effects that may occur.

I hope this information was useful to you. If in any doubt, seek medical advice from a doctor.

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