Lexapro Insomnia

Lexapro Insomnia: What Is It and When Does It Go Away?

Lexapro Insomnia
Medical Disclaimer
The medications listed on this website are provided for informational purposes only. Their inclusion does not guarantee that they will be prescribed to any individual, as treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of healthcare providers. This list is not exhaustive, and healthcare providers may prescribe other medications, including non-stimulant options, based on the patient's unique health circumstances and needs.

Lexapro (Escitalopram) is the medication that many patients use to treat anxiety disorders and depression, among other mental conditions.

As far as Lexapro and Insomnia are concerned, scientific studies on antidepressants’ effects have shown that most lead to sleeping difficulties.

The drug has elicited mixed reactions, with some patients finding it easy to sleep after taking it, something affirmed by scientific investigations.

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What Is Lexapro?

Lexapro is an antidepressant classified under the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) class.

Its active ingredient is Escitalopram oxalate, a molecule that interferes with the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. The medication targets serotonin that gets altered in patients with anxiety and depression.

Mode of Action

Increases serotonin levels in the brain, thereby enabling maintenance of brain mental balance.

What Does Lexapro Treat?

Lexapro is a prescription medication that physicians use for treating the following conditions:

Side Effects of Lexapro

What Are the Side Effects of Lexapro?

What Are the Lexapro Side Effects?

When taking Lexapro [1*] , you’re likely to experience some side effects.

However, some side effects are dangerous and require immediate medical attention, as listed below. 

Dangerous Side Effects (Seek Immediate Medical Attention) are: 

  • Pain when urinating
  • Feeling anxious
  • Increased muscle movement
  • Insomnia
  • Dry mouth and increased thirst
  • Nose bleeding or heavy menstrual periods
  • Decrease in sex drive
  • Feeling tired and weak
  • Drowsiness and dizziness
  • Agitation
  • Hallucinations
  • Sweating and shivering
  • Fast heart rate
  • Twitching
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of coordination
  • Muscle Stiffness

If you experience the effects of Lexapro insomnia – Click below to schedule your appointment with a licensed healthcare professional.

Questions About Lexapro and Insomnia

Does Lexapro Make You Tired? 

Feeling tired and weak are some of the side effects you will experience when using Lexapro. It is recommendable to rest when you experience these effects until they have subsided.

Does Lexapro Fatigue Go Away? 

Fatigue (general body weakness) is a common side effect of the medication: it usually clears away with time following a period of about four weeks. It is also advisable to avoid taking drinks that work the body when you feel fatigued (such as alcohol).

Lexapro and Insomnia

Most antidepressant drugs side effects are common, with Insomnia often associated with Lexapro.

The FDA has indicated that about 5% of patients using the medication have experienced Insomnia. It is, therefore, common to experience sleeping difficulties when taking the drug.

Another exciting aspect about the medication is the scientific fact that escitalopram increases the ease of falling asleep amongst patients.

The two statistics are at the center of controversy surrounding Lexapro. As such, the actual cause of sleeplessness may not be the prescription but other factors.

Lexapro Insomnia: How Long Does It Last? 

Like other depressants, Lexapro insomnia is expected in the first week but should not persist past the fourth week. It, therefore, is likely to last from the first to the second week, after which it will subside and clear gradually.

When Will Lexapro Insomnia Go Away?

Studies have shown that most patients begin experiencing normal sleep between the second and the fourth week. It is advisable to find other factors that may cause sleeplessness [2*] and control them.

Lexapro Insomnia Treatment: Best Time to Take Lexapro to Avoid Insomnia

Patients experiencing Insomnia after taking Lexapro may find it extremely difficult if they do not know how to deal with it.

However, this should change if the patient takes the drug at the right time. Typically, the best time to take Lexapro to avoid Insomnia [3*] is between 6.00 am and 12.00 pm. This step will ensure that you are awake during the day.

How to Deal With Insomnia from Lexapro

When experiencing sleeplessness after taking Lexapro, you should take the following steps to help solve the sleeplessness problem.

Take the medication in the morning: Taking Lexapro in the morning is an excellent remedy that you can use to control sleeplessness. Such a remedy aligns with the body’s rest and active periods.

Avoid taking drinks that affect sleep: You should avoid taking any drink which keeps the body awake, such as coffee and other caffeinated beverages during the late hours of the day.

Ensure to keep your body active: Exercise is good for the body, enhancing the ease of sleeping and helping the patient recover from the condition.

Try to stay away from technology before sleeping: Technology has a way of interfering with sleep by making the body think that it’s still day hours. As a result, there is a delayed release of the melatonin hormone, which helps the body to sleep.

How to Treat Lexapro Insomnia?

Lexapro Insomnia Treatment

Can Stopping or Reducing Lexapro Also Trigger Insomnia?

Typically, it takes some time for the medication to get fully accumulated into the body. It may last up to four weeks before someone begins detecting a change in mental sickness.

One of the significant risks is ceasing to continue with the prescription, resulting in severe withdrawal symptoms such as sleeplessness.

Statistics have indicated that about one-fifth of the people who cease taking Lexapro develop withdrawal symptoms.

As a result, you may experience withdrawal effects even if you partially use the drug.

Factors that may determine whether you will have withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Dosage
  • How long you had used
  • How quickly you ceased its usage

How Can I Prevent, Reduce or Alleviate Lexapro Insomnia Withdrawal Symptoms?

There are many mechanisms you can use to avoid the withdrawal symptoms, some of which include:

Get professional help alleviating the Lexapro insomnia withdrawal symptoms– Click below.

Medical Perspective

When using Lexapro, you should be patient since you will take some time to recover. However, there are many steps you can take to solve Lexapro insomnia. You may also find more help with Lexapro treatment specialists, who have helped numerous patients to recover from anxiety and depressive disorders.

Sources

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+3 sources
  1. Lexapro. (2023)
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  2. Treating insomnia with medications. (2018)
    Source link
  3. Effects of Antidepressants on Sleep. (2017)
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Evidence Based

This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts.

Our team of experts strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument.

This article contains scientific references. The numbers
in the parentheses (1, 2, 3) are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific papers.