by Drugs.com Even though it takes Lexapro only a few hours to increase serotonin levels within the brain, it may take several weeks to start working. Signs that Lexapro has started working include an improvement in your sleep, energy, or appetite. In some, this may happen in as little as 1 to 2 weeks.
Increased energy levels: Another sign that your body's adjusting well to Lexapro is increased energy levels throughout the day. Reduced stress levels: Reduced stress levels in situations where you once felt overwhelmed can indicate Lexapro is working.
Can you feel the effects of Lexapro immediately? Most people report feeling the effects of their Lexapro within 4 weeks. It can take some people as little as a day or as long as 6 weeks to feel the effects of their treatment. This is because different people notice the influence of medication at different times.
Can Lexapro Work Immediately? It may take a few weeks to start noticing a difference in your symptoms when taking Lexapro–usually 4-6 weeks.
You may experience side effects during your first week on Lexapro, including anxiety, difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, headaches, and nausea. These effects usually dissipate as your body adjusts to your medication.
You may experience side effects such as fatigue, diarrhea, or headaches within the first week or two of taking Lexapro.
Before starting treatment for anxiety, it is important to know that SSRIs can take anywhere from two to four (sometimes even up to six) weeks to start to take effect. Lexapro is no exception, so you should not expect to immediately feel better after starting treatment. In fact, you may even feel worse initially.
Doctors believe that it helps stabilize mood and causes happiness and a sense of well-being. Doctors prescribe Lexapro to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Lexapro has an average rating of 8.2 out of 10 from a total of 518 reviews for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. 78% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 9% reported a negative experience.
Common side effects of Lexapro include nausea, sexual side effects, and insomnia. For some people, these go away as your body gets used to the medication. More serious side effects of Lexapro are rare. These include suicidal thoughts or behaviors, abnormal bleeding, and serotonin syndrome.
Most people who take antidepressants don't need to cut out caffeine completely, says Dr. Netherton. But it's important to pay attention to how much caffeine you're getting throughout the day and how it's making you feel.
Do not use escitalopram with buspirone (Buspar®), fentanyl (Abstral®, Duragesic®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), tryptophan, St. John's wort, amphetamines, or some pain or migraine medicines (eg, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, tramadol, Frova®, Imitrex®, Maxalt®, Relpax®, Ultram®, Zomig®).
The combination of Lexapro and alcohol should be avoided due to potentially dangerous side effects. Even a small amount of alcohol can lead to a large amount of unpleasant effects. Mixing these two substances may actually lead to heightened symptoms of depression and anxiety.
SSRIs are thought to improve mood by boosting serotonin activity in the brain. But serotonin is not always a bed of roses. In the early days of treatment, it can increase levels of fear and anxiety and even suicidal thinking in some younger people. As a result, patients may stop using the treatment after a few weeks.
Lexapro is usually taken for a period of many years, either until a person feels that they don't need it anymore or until they begin experiencing negative side effects and decide to switch medications.
You can take it with or without food. You can take escitalopram at any time of day, as long as you stick to the same time every day. If you have trouble sleeping, it's best to take it in the morning.
More recent research suggests an analogous explanation of why SSRIs don't kick in right away. The reason suggested is that SSRIs don't target the serotonin transporter directly. Although some SSRIs (for instance, Lexapro) bind directly to the transporter, the direct binding is not the underlying mechanism of action.
People who drink alcohol while taking Lexapro may feel more depressed or anxious, and these symptoms may then become more challenging to treat. This worsening scenario is potentially dangerous as it can lead to some people having an increase in suicidal thoughts.
What happens if you drink alcohol while taking Lexapro? Drinking alcohol while taking Lexapro isn't recommended. Both alcohol and Lexapro can cause side effects like increased depressive thoughts, sleep problems, and dizziness. Combining the two may cause drowsiness, nausea, reduced alertness, and serotonin syndrome.
And don't stop taking your medication just so you can drink. Some doctors think it's OK to drink moderately if you take an SSRI like Lexapro. “Moderate drinking” means 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women.
An unwanted side effect of SSRIs, especially — though not only — in people taking them for a long time, is a diminished emotional response to both unpleasant and pleasurable events, referred to as “ emotional blunting .”
Escitalopram may cause weight loss or a decrease in appetite. Teenagers who will be taking it for a long time should have their weight and growth measured on a regular basis.