The takeaway. Lexapro is an antidepressant prescription drug used to treat depression and anxiety. You may experience side effects such as fatigue, diarrhea, or headaches within the first week or two of taking Lexapro. Talk to your doctor to see if Lexapro is right for you.
The good news is because escitalopram has been shown to help improve sleep disorders,⁴ your initial insomnia or increased fatigue should not last long.
So, the next time your fatigue is getting the better of you, try going for a walk around your neighborhood or doing a low-impact exercise like yoga or swimming.
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.
Like all medicines, escitalopram can cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones. Some of the common side effects of escitalopram will gradually improve as your body gets used to it.
1. Nausea. Nausea is one of the most common side effects of Lexapro. In clinical studies, up to 18% of people taking Lexapro experienced nausea.
That said, if high serotonin acts on a certain part of the brain, such as the dorsal raphe nucleus, it can also induce sleep. This may explain why people either have insomnia or feel sleepy after taking an SSRI. Serotonin is also a precursor to melatonin, a hormone that regulates a person's sleep-wake cycle.
Lexapro side effects are similar to those associated with other SSRIs and antidepressants. In many cases, symptoms are most prominent for the first 1-2 weeks of treatment. After that, typically many symptoms subside.
The length of time it takes for Lexapro treatment to start working can vary. It's common for some symptoms — like improved energy, sleep, and appetite — to improve within a week or two.
Although some antidepressants are associated with sleep difficulties, the data on Lexapro and insomnia is mixed. While some Lexapro users report insomnia, there's also research showing that Lexapro may actually make it easier to fall asleep.
As the name denotes, SSRIs target serotonin, the chemical in the brain commonly dubbed the "happy" hormone. One of the common side effects of this type of antidepressant is a numb feeling. The patient may not feel pleasure as much as before, just like they won't feel as depressed.
Take escitalopram once a day. 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.
Yes, Lexapro can cause brain fog. Most people report experiencing brain fog when starting Lexapro. In fact, this is one of the most common side effects associated with the drug. Brain fog is most likely to occur in the early stages of treatment but can persist long-term for some people.
While antidepressants work on the mood-affecting neurotransmitters, they also have some effect on other chemicals in the brain like histamine and acetylcholine. The changes in these neurotransmitters might make the body weak and make you feel fatigued throughout the day.
Antidepressants that don't make you tired
Newer classes of antidepressants come with lesser side effects. Antidepressants that are known to be best for energy include Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), and Wellbutrin (bupropion). Wellbutrin is a fairly new type of antidepressant.
Lexapro Dosage
If you are experiencing your first episode of depression or anxiety, you may take Lexapro for a defined period—such as between six months and one year. For individuals with a chronic mental health condition, it may be necessary to take Lexapro for an extended period (over many years).
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.
Lexapro (escitalopram) is a commonly prescribed medication for treating depression and anxiety. Nearly 26 million Americans take Lexapro to help improve their energy levels and well-being and feel less nervous.
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®).
When you first start taking Lexapro, it's normal for some people to experience side effects like trouble sleeping and an upset stomach. Changing when or how you take it — morning instead night, with food instead of without food — can help make a difference.
Antidepressants like escitalopram help to improve or lift your mood so you feel better. You may notice that you sleep better and get on with people more easily because you're less anxious. You will hopefully be more relaxed about things that used to worry you. Escitalopram will not change your personality.
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).