Within the first couple weeks of taking Lexapro, improvements in sleep, appetite and energy can occur, but it can take up to eight weeks to see a positive shift in mood, according to NAMI.
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, also known by its generic name escitalopram, is a common selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication used to treat mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Lexapro increases serotonin levels in the brain, helping regulate mood.
Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to 6-8 weeks to fully improve.
These drugs — including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, and Lexapro — alter the way the body handles the “feel-good” brain chemical serotonin — a hormone responsible for regulating mood and happiness. As a result, things that once provoked strong reactions may now leave the same individual unaffected or even apathetic.
Weight changes can occur when taking Lexapro, but they are not usually dramatic. In some cases, weight loss may occur. A doctor may monitor a child taking this drug for reduced growth rates and insufficient weight gain.
Lexapro weight gain can be a common side effect, but it doesn't impact everyone who takes this medication. Multiple studies conclude that SSRIs like Lexapro can result in weight gain. However, it varies from person to person depending on individual factors such as age, lifestyle habits, diet, and activity level.
Lexapro alters brain chemistry resulting in an increasing level of serotonin in the brain. This helps to influence your mood, emotions, and behaviors and reduce anxiety symptoms.
The lowdown
Lexapro (containing the active ingredient escitalopram) is a safe and effective treatment that is commonly prescribed for anxiety. Lexapro is an SSRI, which regulates serotonin production and reuptake in the brain to improve your moods and overall mental wellbeing to reduce symptoms of anxiety.
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®).
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The weight gain experienced with Lexapro is a lot less than that reported with other antidepressants such as paroxetine, mirtazapine, or doxepin but more than fluoxetine. This equated to an average weight gain of approximately 0.65kg (less than 1/3 of a pound) over 12 weeks in one study.
Each person will experience slightly different side effects, but the most common side effects are drowsiness, headache, insomnia, nausea, and vomiting. These effects may emerge during the first weeks of starting Lexapro. If the starting dose of Lexapro is too high, these side effects may be even worse.
Weight gain is a common side effect of many antidepressant medications. But everyone responds to medications differently. To make things more confusing, Lexapro may cause either weight gain or weight loss. This may be because serotonin plays a role in appetite regulation, so Lexapro may increase or decrease appetite.
Can Lexapro Be Stopped Cold Turkey? To put it bluntly, you shouldn't stop taking Lexapro cold turkey. Stopping antidepressants or any primary drug “cold turkey” (all at once) or without the guidance of a doctor is always strongly discouraged.
Best anxiety meds that cause weight loss
These include: Bupropion (Wellbutrin; see Important Safety Information) Fluoxetine (Prozac; see Important Safety Information) Duloxetine (Cymbalta; see Important Safety Information)
When first starting antidepressants, you may not feel like yourself. Though your depression symptoms might have improved, feelings of extreme sadness can sometimes be replaced by an emotional numbness in which you are neither able to cry nor enjoy a real belly laugh. If you feel this way, you are definitely not alone.
Some people may have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. If you or your caregiver notice any of these unwanted effects, tell your doctor right away.
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.
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.
Official answer. Lexapro is usually taken once a day and you can take it either in the morning or at night. If you get night sweats from Lexapro – try taking it in the morning. Although this may cause sweats during the day, some people find these more manageable.
Modify Your Diet And Exercise Routine
This is an important strategy you can implement before taking Lexapro to help sustain a healthy body composition. You can also work with a healthcare professional who can create an optimized meal plan and fitness regime that may stop weight gain before it even starts.