Best Time to Take Lexapro for Anxiety

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Lexapro is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) or “antidepressant” that helps to treat those suffering with anxiety or clinical depression. According to Lexapro, “It belongs to a group of medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). They are thought to work by their actions on brain chemicals called amines which are involved in controlling mood.”

Key Takeaways

  • Take Lexapro in your morning routine to avoid some insomnia or increased feeling of anxiety as part of the common Lexapro side effects. These common side effects may have a negative impact on your holistic ability to treat your depression or anxiety (the inability to sleep will cause further depressive moods.

  • Taking Lexapro in the morning may cause you to feel some of the negative side effects during the day, which should be considered before choosing your regular consumption routine. Side effects such as dizziness and fatigue can be difficult to deal with while in a work setting.

  • Take your morning Lexapro with a full glass of water, a small portion of food to avoid any stomach discomfort, and at least 30-minutes away from coffee (there are no negative interactions between coffee/caffeine and Lexapro use, however, you may experience more stomach acidity during periods of consumption and this may cause stomach discomfort).

Best Time to Take Lexapro (For Anxiety)

There is no perfect “time” to take Lexapro to maximize its efficiency to treat depression or anxiety. However, there is a more ideal time to consume your Lexapro prescription in order to avoid some of the negative side effects that may have a strong correlation to your overall mood and happiness.

Best Time to Consume Lexapro

Lexapro can be consumed in the morning or at night. However, the best time to consume Lexapro is in the morning and to consume it with a small portion of food. Consuming Lexapro in the morning will avoid some of the negative side effects such as insomnia and agitation or restlessness.

However, other side effects from Lexapro do include drowsiness and dizziness. Consuming Lexapro in the morning, especially if going into a work environment, may cause some of these effects to feel more pronounced than if you consumed them at night.

According to the Lexapro Leaflet, They Advise To:

  • Take Lexapro as a single dose either in the morning or in the evening.

  • Take Lexapro with or without food.

Including Some Precautions Before Consuming, Such As:

  • Do not take Lexapro at the same time as the following other medicines: pimozide, a medicine used to treat mental disorders. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as phenelzine, tranylcypromine and moclobemide which are also used for the treatment of depression.

  • One day must elapse after you have finished taking moclobemide before you start taking Lexapro. If you have taken any other MAOI you will need to wait 14 days. After stopping Lexapro, you must allow 14 days before taking any MAOI including moclobemide.

Common Lexapro Side Effects

Consuming Lexapro in the morning time will offset some of the common side effects that might be difficult to deal with at night. However, if you are beginning your routine of Lexapro use, you may start to experience some of the side effects during the day. This may cause some discomfort until your body begins to adjust to your dosage.

According to the FDA, common Lexapro side effects include:

  • Nausea

  • Sleepiness

  • Weakness

  • Dizziness

  • Feeling anxious

  • Trouble sleeping

  • Sexual problems

  • Sweating

  • Shaking

  • Not feeling hungry

  • Dry mouth

  • Constipation

  • Infection

  • Yawning

Tips for Consuming Lexapro

Here are some simple tips for your consideration:

1. Test Consumption Times

When beginning your regular routine of Lexapro use, go through a period of time where you test consuming in the morning or at night. Give yourself at least 3-5 days to properly adjust and take time to consider how you’re feeling. If you don’t feel “better” than before, consider adjusting your routine and switching from morning to night.

2. Utilize Weekends and Holidays

Weekends and holidays can help as you adjust your routine. Avoid testing out new routines if you have to “go into” work environments or may have previous commitments that make some of the negative side effects more pronounced. Utilize long and extended weekends to adjust your routine and determine the best path forward from a short trial.

If you need expert advice, https://Drugmart.com can connect you with a team of licensed pharmacists to address your concerns. Our customer service team will help with any questions you may have. You can also check out our list of FAQs to get answers to the most-asked questions we receive. Find your prescription, create an account and start saving on your meds from https://Drugmart.com today!


Sources

  1. Medsafe. (n.d.). Lexapro Consumer Medicine Information. Retrieved fromhttps://www.medsafe.govt.nz/consumers/cmi/l/Lexapro.pdf

  2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019). FDA Label for Lexapro (escitalopram) Tablets. Retrieved fromhttps://www.fda.gov/media/135185/download


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The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice. Patients should not use the information presented on this page for diagnosing a health-related issue or disease. Before taking any medication or supplements, patients should always consult a physician or qualified healthcare professional for medical advice or information about whether a drug is safe, appropriate or effective.