When is the optimal time to take Lexapro for maximum effectiveness. How can you minimize potential side effects like insomnia when taking Lexapro. What factors should you consider when scheduling your daily Lexapro dose.

Understanding Lexapro: A Powerful SSRI Antidepressant

Lexapro, known generically as escitalopram, is a widely prescribed antidepressant belonging to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. This medication works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, a neurotransmitter crucial for regulating mood, behavior, and various cognitive functions.

The mechanism of action for Lexapro involves binding to the sodium-dependent serotonin transporter (SERT) protein in the brain. By inhibiting SERT, Lexapro effectively increases the availability of serotonin in the synapses between neurons, potentially alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Key Features of Lexapro

• Classified as an SSRI antidepressant
• Primarily used to treat depression and anxiety disorders
• Requires daily administration for optimal effectiveness
• Takes approximately 2 weeks to reach steady concentrations in the blood
• Full therapeutic effects may take up to 6 weeks to manifest

Timing Your Lexapro Dose: Is There an Ideal Schedule?

Many patients wonder about the optimal time to take their Lexapro dose. Is there a specific schedule that maximizes benefits while minimizing side effects? The truth is, there’s no universally “best” time to take Lexapro. The most crucial factor is consistency in taking your medication daily.

Lexapro reaches peak concentration in the blood approximately 5 hours after ingestion. However, due to its long-term mechanism of action, the timing of your daily dose is unlikely to significantly affect how you feel on a given day. The key is to establish a routine that works for you and stick to it.

Factors to Consider When Scheduling Your Lexapro Dose

• Personal schedule and daily routine
• Potential side effects (e.g., insomnia or drowsiness)
• Other medications you may be taking
• Your doctor’s recommendations

Lexapro and Insomnia: Navigating a Common Side Effect

Insomnia is a reported side effect for some Lexapro users. Clinical trials have shown that approximately 9% of people taking Lexapro experience insomnia, compared to 4% in placebo groups. While the exact relationship between Lexapro, serotonin levels, and sleep patterns is complex, some patients find that adjusting their dosing schedule can help manage sleep-related side effects.

Can taking Lexapro in the morning help with insomnia?

For individuals experiencing insomnia as a side effect of Lexapro, taking the medication earlier in the day may be beneficial. Since Lexapro reaches peak blood concentrations around 5 hours after ingestion, taking it in the morning could potentially reduce its impact on sleep patterns. However, it’s important to note that this approach is based on anecdotal evidence and individual experiences rather than conclusive scientific studies.

The Complex Relationship Between Serotonin and Sleep

The interplay between serotonin levels, brain function, and sleep patterns is intricate and not fully understood. Research on the topic has yielded mixed and sometimes contradictory results. Serotonin can have both sleep-inducing and wake-promoting effects, depending on which areas of the brain it acts upon.

Dual Effects of Serotonin on Sleep

• Increased serotonin in certain brain regions can promote wakefulness
• Elevated serotonin in other areas (e.g., dorsal raphe nucleus) may induce sleep
• Serotonin serves as a precursor to melatonin, a hormone regulating the sleep-wake cycle

This complex relationship explains why some individuals experience insomnia while taking Lexapro, while others may feel drowsy. The effects can vary significantly from person to person.

Strategies for Managing Lexapro-Related Insomnia

If you’re experiencing insomnia while taking Lexapro, there are several strategies you can employ to improve your sleep quality. These lifestyle interventions can be particularly effective when combined with appropriate timing of your Lexapro dose.

Sleep Hygiene Tips for Lexapro Users

1. Create a cool, dark sleeping environment
2. Minimize noise disturbances (use earplugs or white noise machines if necessary)
3. Establish a consistent sleep schedule
4. Avoid daytime napping
5. Exercise regularly, but not close to bedtime
6. Limit caffeine intake, especially in the afternoon and evening

If insomnia persists despite these measures, it’s essential to consult with your healthcare provider. They may consider adjusting your Lexapro dosage or exploring alternative antidepressant options.

The Time Course of Lexapro Side Effects

Many patients wonder how long side effects like insomnia will last when taking Lexapro. Unfortunately, there is limited scientific evidence regarding the specific duration of side effects or their resolution after discontinuing the medication. Some individuals may find that insomnia improves over time as their body adjusts to the medication, while others may experience persistent sleep disturbances.

Factors Influencing Side Effect Duration

• Individual physiology and metabolism
• Dosage of Lexapro
• Duration of treatment
• Presence of underlying sleep disorders or other medical conditions

It’s worth noting that for some patients, Lexapro may actually improve sleep quality over time by addressing the underlying depression or anxiety that was contributing to sleep disturbances.

Balancing Benefits and Side Effects: When to Seek Professional Guidance

While Lexapro can be an effective treatment for depression and anxiety, it’s crucial to weigh the benefits against any experienced side effects. If insomnia or other sleep disturbances are significantly impacting your quality of life, it’s important to communicate these concerns to your healthcare provider.

When should you consult your doctor about Lexapro-related insomnia?

• If sleep disturbances persist for several weeks despite lifestyle interventions
• If insomnia is severely impacting your daily functioning or mood
• If you’re experiencing other troublesome side effects alongside insomnia
• If you’re considering discontinuing or changing your medication

Your doctor may suggest various approaches, such as adjusting your Lexapro dosage, changing the timing of your dose, or exploring alternative antidepressant options that may be less likely to cause sleep disturbances.

Lexapro and Long-Term Sleep Quality: What to Expect

While insomnia is a potential side effect of Lexapro, it’s important to consider the medication’s overall impact on sleep quality, especially in the context of treating depression. Insomnia is a common symptom of depression itself, and by effectively treating the underlying condition, Lexapro may indirectly improve sleep patterns for many patients.

Potential Long-Term Sleep Benefits of Lexapro Treatment

• Reduction in depression-related insomnia
• Improved sleep efficiency and quality
• Stabilization of circadian rhythms
• Decrease in nighttime rumination and anxiety

It’s crucial to maintain open communication with your healthcare provider throughout your treatment journey. They can help you navigate the complex interplay between Lexapro, depression, and sleep patterns, ensuring that you achieve the best possible balance of symptom relief and manageable side effects.

Optimizing Your Lexapro Treatment Plan: A Collaborative Approach

Finding the right balance with Lexapro treatment often requires a collaborative effort between you and your healthcare provider. By working together, you can develop a personalized approach that maximizes the benefits of the medication while minimizing potential side effects like insomnia.

Key Considerations for Optimizing Lexapro Treatment

• Regular check-ins with your healthcare provider to assess progress and side effects
• Keeping a sleep diary to track patterns and identify potential triggers
• Exploring complementary therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)
• Considering the role of other medications or supplements that may interact with Lexapro
• Discussing the potential benefits of genetic testing to guide antidepressant selection

Remember that finding the optimal treatment plan may take time and patience. Be honest with your healthcare provider about your experiences, concerns, and goals to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Understanding the Broader Context: Depression, Anxiety, and Sleep Disorders

When evaluating the effects of Lexapro on sleep patterns, it’s essential to consider the complex relationship between mental health conditions and sleep disorders. Depression and anxiety often co-occur with sleep disturbances, making it challenging to determine whether insomnia is a side effect of the medication or a symptom of the underlying condition.

The Interplay Between Mental Health and Sleep

• Depression and anxiety can cause or exacerbate insomnia
• Sleep disorders may contribute to the development or worsening of mental health conditions
• Treating the underlying mental health condition may indirectly improve sleep quality
• Some patients may require separate treatments for both mental health and sleep disorders

Your healthcare provider will consider this complex interplay when assessing your response to Lexapro and determining the best course of action for managing any sleep-related side effects.

Lexapro and Sleep: Embracing a Holistic Approach to Mental Health

While timing your Lexapro dose appropriately and managing potential side effects like insomnia are important aspects of treatment, it’s crucial to adopt a holistic approach to mental health and well-being. Antidepressant medication is often most effective when combined with other therapeutic modalities and lifestyle changes.

Complementary Strategies for Enhancing Lexapro Treatment

• Engaging in regular psychotherapy or counseling
• Practicing stress-reduction techniques such as meditation or mindfulness
• Maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise routine
• Fostering strong social connections and support systems
• Exploring alternative therapies like acupuncture or light therapy, under professional guidance

By addressing your mental health from multiple angles, you can create a comprehensive treatment plan that supports your overall well-being, potentially mitigating side effects and enhancing the effectiveness of your Lexapro regimen.

Best time to take Lexapro to avoid insomnia: What to know

There is no specific time that is best to take it. However, a person experiencing insomnia may want to schedule Lexapro for the morning.

Lexapro, the brand name for the antidepressant escitalopram, is a daily medication. Taking Lexapro every day is more important than the specific timing.

Lexapro reaches peak concentration in the blood about 5 hours after taking it. However, it does not work immediately and needs around 2 weeks to reach steady and consistent concentrations in the blood. This means the timing of the daily dose is unlikely to affect how a person feels.

It can take up to 6 weeks to get the medication’s full effect.

A small number of people who use Lexapro can develop insomnia, where people may find it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get good quality sleep.

There is no direct scientific evidence that the timing of the daily dose affects insomnia, but some users may prefer to take their medication early in the day.

Read on to learn about the best time to take Lexapro to avoid insomnia.

Lexapro is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant. The drug works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps send signals across a nerve synapse.

The drug can take effect by binding to the sodium-dependent serotonin transporter (SERT) protein in the brain. The SERT protein specifically helps transport serotonin across neural synapses.

Serotonin plays a role in various functions related to mood, behavior, sexuality, and memory. This indicates that SSRI antidepressants may affect mood but can also have side effects.

People do not have to take Lexapro with food or at a specific time of day. But forgetting to take it daily can cause withdrawal.

Learn more about Lexapro.

Clinical trial data show that people using Lexapro were more likely to report insomnia. In one trial, 9% reported insomnia on Lexapro, compared to 4% on placebo. People in the placebo group do not receive an active form of the drug.

While researchers know Lexapro raises serotonin levels in the brain, they do not fully understand how this might affect sleep. Studies on the topic have reached mixed — and sometimes contradictory — results.

The relationship between serotonin, the brain, and sleep is complex, with many factors to consider.

Role of serotonin

Serotonin levels play a role in determining sleep or inducing insomnia.

In people with depression, insomnia is already a common symptom, which may partially be due to low serotonin from depression. One theory is that an SSRI, such as Lexapro, can increase serotonin and induce wakefulness contributing to the insomnia.

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.

People who develop insomnia while taking Lexapro may want to consider taking the drug earlier in the day. The medication reaches peak blood concentrations around 5 hours after a person takes it. The concentration steadily declines after that time.

No recent scientific research has assessed the right time to take Lexapro, but it is possible that reducing concentrations throughout the day could reduce insomnia. Therefore, a person should try taking it first thing in the morning.

People experiencing insomnia on Lexapro should try lifestyle interventions to help. Those include:

• Sleeping in a cool, dark room. This includes turning off phones and television as well as blocking ambient light.
• Minimizing noise by wearing earplugs or using a white noise machine.
• Going to bed and getting up at the same time each day.
• Avoiding daytime napping.
• Exercising daily, but not in the 4–5 hours before bedtime.
• Reducing caffeine intake, especially in the afternoon and evening.

If insomnia does not improve after several weeks, a person may want to talk with a doctor about trying a lower dose or a different antidepressant.

Learn more about insomnia treatment options.

Some people may find that insomnia improves over time. And Lexapro may help ease the sleeplessness that many people with depression experience.

By regulating serotonin levels, Lexapro could even improve sleep in some people. However, insomnia remains a common issue.

However, there is limited scientific evidence that side effects go away or that they go away after a specific time after stopping the medication.

Insomnia is one of the most common depression symptoms. For people whose insomnia predates their use of Lexapro, treating depression may treat insomnia and other symptoms — often after several weeks.

Doctors may need to determine whether insomnia is occurring due to the medication someone is taking or if it is a recurring issue before commencing treatment.

Changing medications

People taking antidepressants often have to experiment — for example, trying different doses. This may involve waiting to see if side effects improve.

If they do not, and the insomnia is severe, a person may have to try a different medication. Switching medications may require a person to gradually taper off and completely stop taking a medication.

Typically, a doctor may introduce new medications at a low dose and gradually increase them until the person reaches the ideal dose.

Any changes made to how a person takes a drug should only occur under the guidance of a doctor.

A person should consult a doctor if they experience any symptoms or notice signs of depression. They should not take Lexapro without medical support.

Learn more about the signs of depression.

Someone should also contact a doctor if:

• insomnia is severe, worsens, or does not improve with lifestyle changes
• their depression does not improve
• their depression worsens
• they develop other side effects that they cannot tolerate

Below are some common questions and answers on using Lexapro for depression.

Can people take it before going to bed?

Lexapro takes time to begin working and does not immediately elevate serotonin levels, so people can try taking it before bed. If a person develops insomnia, taking it earlier in the day might reduce symptoms.

However, no recent scientific evidence has tested when the best time to take Lexapro might be.

What other side effects can occur when taking Lexapro?

Some of the most common other side effects of Lexapro include:

• decreased libido
• excessive sleepiness
• decreased appetite
• difficulty orgasming or becoming aroused
• nausea
• constipation
• stomach pain
• dry mouth
• increased sweating

In clinical trials, side effects were more common among people taking higher drug doses.

Are there any alternatives to Lexapro that do not cause insomnia?

Dozens of other antidepressants are available. Some have more sedating effects and may help people with insomnia sleep better. They include:

• trazodone (Oleptro)
• nefazodone (Serzone)
• mirtazapine (Remeron)
• doxepin (Silenor)

Many people may also take other prescription sleep medications, such as benzodiazepines or Z-drugs, alongside an antidepressant to help manage insomnia.

Lexapro can treat depression and may also ease the sleep disturbances that sometimes occur.

In some people, it may also cause sleep issues, especially insomnia. A lower dose, a dose earlier in the day, and simple lifestyle changes may help. When they do not, a person should discuss trying a different medication with a doctor.

People should not stop taking Lexapro or change the dosage without first speaking to a healthcare professional.

Switching Lexapro From Night to Morning: What to Know

If you have major depressive disorder (MDD) or an anxiety disorder such as generalized anxiety disorder, your healthcare provider may prescribe the antidepressant Lexapro® (escitalopram) to help you gain more control over your symptoms.

Lexapro can be taken once per day, either in the morning or in the evening. If you currently take your medication in the evening, switching Lexapro from night to morning is usually a simple and straightforward process.

Below, we’ve explained what Lexapro is, as well as how it works as a medication for depression and anxiety. 

We’ve also explained how you can switch Lexapro from night to morning usage without causing any unwanted side effects or withdrawal symptoms.

Finally, we’ve shared some things that you should know before switching your Lexapro dosage schedule, as well as a few simple tactics that you can use to get the best results from Lexapro going forward.

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What Is Lexapro?

Lexapro is an antidepressant that contains the active ingredient escitalopram. It belongs to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of antidepressants and works by increasing the amount of serotonin in your brain and body.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, or natural type of chemical, that plays a major role in managing your moods and feelings. It’s involved in regulating your feelings of happiness and anxiety. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression, anxiety and suicidal behavior.

By increasing serotonin levels, Lexapro and similar medications can help to reduce the severity of the symptoms of depression, improving your quality of life and letting you focus your attention and efforts on getting better. 

Reasons to Switch Lexapro From Night to Morning

Lexapro should be taken once per day. It’s okay to take Lexapro in the morning or at nighttime, as long as you take your medication on a consistent schedule.

There are a few reasons why you may want to change your dosage schedule for Lexapro. One is that some of the potential side effects of Lexapro can have a bigger impact on your quality of life when they occur at night rather than during the day. 

Common side effects of Lexapro include:

• Insomnia

• Nausea

• Sweating

• Fatigue

Lexapro can also cause sexual side effects, including a reduced sex drive and difficulty reaching orgasm during sex.

Several of these side effects can be quite an annoyance at night. For example, if you’re prone to insomnia or sleep disturbances from Lexapro or similar antidepressants, taking your medication at night may have a serious impact on your well-being and general health. 

By switching to a morning schedule, you may be able to reduce the impact of Lexapro and other antidepressants on sleep and benefit from improved sleep quality. 

Since it’s more common to have sex at night than in the daytime, any sexual dysfunction caused by Lexapro can quickly become an irritating side effect if you usually take your medication in the evening. 

Switching to a morning dosage schedule may reduce the severity of these side effects and stop them from having such an impact on your quality of life. 

Another reason to switch from a night to a morning dosage schedule with Lexapro is that you find it easier to remember your medication in the morning.

Remembering to take medication at night can be challenging, as it’s easy to slip into “relaxation mode” an hour or two before bedtime. You may find that you miss doses of Lexapro more often if you stick to an evening dosage schedule. 

Finally, if you’re prescribed other medication that you need to take in the morning, switching to a morning dosage schedule with Lexapro can help to keep things simple.

How to Switch Lexapro From Night to Morning

Switching Lexapro from night to morning is a simple process. If you normally take your dose of Lexapro before going to bed, simply skip one dose, then take it the next morning following your new dosage schedule. 

There’s generally no need to adjust your dosage, take a double dose or do anything else overly complicated during the “switching” process. Instead, you can continue to take the same dosage of Lexapro, just in the morning instead of at night. 

If you often forget to take your medication and need help adapting to a new dosage schedule, it may help to set a reminder on your phone letting you know that you need to take Lexapro in the morning.  

After a few days, taking your medication in the morning should become a new habit that you can easily stick to. 

If you forget to take escitalopram and remember on the same day, take the late dose as soon as you remember. If you forget and only remember the next day, skip the missed dose and take the medication one time per day as normal. 

If you accidentally take too much escitalopram and experience symptoms such as an overly fast heart rate, vomiting, dizziness, seizures, sedation or shaking, call 911 for emergency assistance as soon as you can. 

What to Know When Changing Lexapro Schedule

Although switching Lexapro from night to morning usually doesn’t cause any issues, it’s always best to talk to your healthcare provider before you make any changes to the way you take your medication. 

Your healthcare provider may give you a specific schedule to follow when switching from night to morning usage of Lexapro or give additional instructions to help you use your medication as safely as possible.  

Here are a few other things to keep in mind when changing your Lexapro dosage schedule:

• There’s no “best time of day to take Lexapro” for every person. The side effects of Lexapro can vary from person to person, meaning there’s no perfect time of day to take this medication.
  If you’re prone to insomnia or sexual health issues from Lexapro, taking it in the morning will usually be best for you. However, if you get nausea or fatigue from Lexapro, you may prefer to take Lexapro before you go to bed.

• Lexapro may take several weeks to start working. Many antidepressants take several weeks to start working. You may need to take Lexapro for four weeks or more before you notice any improvements in your sleep, appetite, concentration or mood.
  Your healthcare provider may suggest waiting for Lexapro to start working before making any changes to your dosage schedule.

• Many side effects of Lexapro are temporary. It’s far from uncommon to deal with side effects during the first few weeks or months of taking Lexapro, only to have these issues become less severe over time.
  If you’ve just started to use Lexapro, make sure to talk to your healthcare provider about side effects before changing your dosage schedule.

• Lexapro can cause withdrawal symptoms if it’s stopped abruptly. It’s okay to switch from taking Lexapro at night to in the morning, or vice-versa. However, it’s important not to suddenly stop taking Lexapro, as this may trigger withdrawal symptoms.
  If you want to stop taking Lexapro, talk to your healthcare provider first. They’ll give you a special tapered dosage schedule to follow so that you can limit withdrawal symptoms and stop using your medication safely.

Our detailed guide to Lexapro explains more about how Lexapro works, as well as how you can use it safely and effectively to treat depression or anxiety. 

When Is the Best Time to Take Lexapro?

Changing from a night to morning dosage schedule can make some side effects of Lexapro less severe. However, if you have persistent side effects that don’t improve, or if you simply don’t feel like Lexapro is working for you, then you may need to make further changes.

It’s common to use several antidepressants before finding one that provides the right balance of effectiveness and manageable side effects for you. 

If you’ve switched your Lexapro dosage schedule and still have side effects, or if you don’t think that Lexapro is helping you, it’s important to let your healthcare provider know.

In order to better treat your depression or anxiety symptoms, they may adjust your dosage, ask you to wait for longer, switch you to a different type of SSRI or, in some cases, switch you from Lexapro to a different class of antidepressant. 

They may also suggest that you make certain changes to your habits and lifestyle to reduce the severity of your depression symptoms. These may include:

• Exercising on a regular basis, even if it’s just a short walk or bike ride

• Spending more time with your friends, family members and other supportive people

• Meeting with a therapist in your area or taking part in online therapy from your home

• Participating in a support group to learn new strategies for coping with depression

• Limiting the number of major life decisions you make until you’re feeling better

Our guide to dealing with depression goes into more detail about how good habits and therapy can help you to overcome depressive symptoms and improve your life.  

Learn More About Depression and Lexapro

Major depression is a serious mood disorder that can have a real impact on your well-being and quality of life. For many people, medications like Lexapro make dealing with depression a much easier process. 

If you’re prescribed Lexapro for depression, it’s okay to take your medication during the daytime or at night. It’s also alright to switch between different Lexapro dosage schedules if you often get side effects at night but not in the day, or vice versa.

You can find out more about Lexapro, SSRIs and other types of antidepressant medication with our full list of antidepressants. 

If you think you might have major depression or an anxiety disorder and want to seek treatment, you can connect with a provider from home using our online mental health services. 

4 Sources

Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references.

1. Escitalopram. (2022, January 15). Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603005.html
2. Brain Hormones. (2022, January 23). Retrieved from https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/hormones-and-endocrine-function/brain-hormones
3. Lexapro® (escitalopram oxalate) Tablets. (2017, January). Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/021323s047lbl.pdf
4. Depression. (2018, February). Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression

What drugs to take for menopause in women 2021

Not everyone knows which drugs to use for menopause so that the therapy is
non-hormonal. The so-called hot flashes are a feeling of warmth covering the body and
accompanied by redness, sweating. These symptoms vary according to
severity ranging from minor irritation to severe impairment of quality
life, therefore menopause treatment
non-hormonal drugs justified to improve the general condition.

Among the causes are:

·
decrease in estrogen levels, which affects the center
regulation of brain temperature, causing shivering;

other related health conditions, including
thyroid disease, diabetes, hyperhidrosis, anxiety and panic
disorders, obesity, hormonally active tumors, chronic infections,
neurological disorders;

taking certain medications. These include antiestrogens:
tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, toremifene, raloxifene and clomiphene, and
gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues, i.e. goserelin, leuprorelin and
nafarelin.

Treatment of menopause with non-hormonal drugs

Non-hormonal drugs for menopause are effective for women.

Paroxetine (trade name
Brisdelle is a non-hormonal therapy specifically approved for
tides. This remedy is the most effective
drug for menopause , which has been used for years for depression.

Gabapentin (brand name
“Neurontin”) – a medicine that is mainly used for seizures. Included in
list best drugs for menopause by
reviews of users. A systematic review confirmed that the 900 mg daily dose
the day reduces the tides. The most common side effect is drowsiness,
swelling of the lower extremities and weight gain. The discontinuation should be
gradually over the course of a week.

The most common answer to the question, which drugs to take for menopause ,
is clonidine. It is a centrally acting alpha-adrenergic receptor agonist,
which stimulates certain receptors in the brain, reduces
blood pressure, prevents migraines, and is also needed as a drugs against menopause. Side effects
include dry mouth, shortness of breath, dizziness, constipation, and sleep disturbance. stop
reception if after four weeks there are no results. High doses
should be gradually reduced to avoid an increase in blood pressure.

Antidepressants are recommended for those
who cannot take hormonal
preparations for menopause .

Venlafaxine (Effexor), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq),
citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) are designed for depression, but studies
show that it is also effective
preparations for menopause .

Fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft) are also exploited
as drugs for menopause ,
but do not work as well as the other antidepressants listed.

Phytoestrogens – herbal preparations for menopause “natural”
or a “safer” alternative to hormones. They are found in foods
nutrition, including soybeans, chickpeas, flaxseeds, lentils, grains, fruits, vegetables
and red clover. Isoflavone supplements (example bada with menopause in women ), one of the types of phytoestrogens, you can
buy in health food stores.

Many medicinal herbs are advertised
how the best drugs for menopause by
reviews of doctors . Among them is black cohosh, although there is no clinical evidence.
their effectiveness. They may not be more cost-effective than placebos.

Which hormonal preparations
to take with menopause in women ? Low dose vaginal estrogen
best remedy for postmenopausal women with vaginal dryness or pain during
sexual intercourse.

Lexapro: common and serious side effects

Disclaimer

If you have any medical questions or concerns, contact your doctor. Articles in the Health Guide are based on peer-reviewed research and information from medical societies and government agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

milligrams of salt per teaspoon

Side effects of Lexapro

Passing a day when you are depressed is already a lot to achieve. Depression doesn’t just affect the mind; it also affects the body. Depression and chronic pain are closely linked (Lee, 2018). So it’s only natural if you want to know if your antidepressant is causing side effects, what they are, and how likely you are to experience them when you’re already dealing with depression.

Vitals

• Lexapro is the brand name for the drug escitalopram. It is FDA approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
• Generic Lexapro has the same active ingredient as the branded version.
• Common side effects of Lexapro include fatigue, nausea, sleep problems, and sexual dysfunction.
• Lexapro may cause more serious side effects such as serotonin syndrome and worsening depression in children and adolescents.

What is Lexapro?

Lexapro is a prescription drug from a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. SSRIs are used to treat depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Researchers believe that depression is caused by an imbalance of chemicals in our brain, and globally by SSRIs. considered first line treatment (Bauer, 2009).

Lexapro is specifically approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), but it may be used off-label by healthcare professionals to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (Zutshi, 2007).

Lexapro is the brand name for escitalopram oxalate. Although escitalopram can be confused with alprazolam, a common anxiety medication sold under the brand name Xanax, these medications are not the same. Previously, Lexapro could only be manufactured by Forest Laboratories Inc. (in partnership with pharmaceutical company Lundbeck).

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Lundbeck has made Lexapro available as a tablet or oral solution. Tablets come in three dosages: 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg. The oral solution is only available in one strength equivalent to 5 mg (FDA, n.d.). Lexapro was launched in 2002, but its patent expired in March 2012, which meant that other companies could seek approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to manufacture and market escitalopram (Llamas, 2013) .

What are SSRIs and how do they work?

Depression can be treated in many ways, and there are several types of antidepressants. Medications used to treat this mood disorder include (FDA, 2009):

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Atypical antidepressants pressants
• Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI)

There are also many different types of SSRIs, including:

• Citalopram (brand name of Celex)
• Escitalopram (brand name of Lexapro)

9 0082 Fluoxetine (trade name Prozac, Sarafem, Symbiax)

• Fluvoxamine (brand name Luvox, Luvox CR)
• Paroxetine (brand name Paxil, Paxil CR, Pekseva)
• Sertraline (brand name Zoloft)
• Vilazodone (brand name Viibryd)

In the brain, chemical messengers called neurotransmitters carry messages from brain cell to brain cell. Serotonin is one type of neurotransmitter. SSRIs work by keeping serotonin levels high between brain cells. SSRIs are thought to treat certain mental illnesses in this way.

Possible side effects of Lexapro

Here are the most common potential side effects of Lexapro and how often they occurred in participants with MDD in clinical trials testing the drug’s efficacy and safety:

• Nausea (15%)
• Sleep problems (9%)
• Ejaculation disorder (9%)
• Diarrhea (8%)
• Drowsiness (6%)
• Dry mouth (6%)
• Increased sweating (5%)
• Dizziness (5%)
• Flu-like symptoms (5%)
• Tiredness/fatigue (5%)
• Loss of appetite (3%)
• Low sex drive (3%)

These common Lexapro side effects also appear to be dose-dependent, meaning that you are more likely to experience these side effects if you take 20mg than 10mg. Other potential side effects of Lexapro were noted, although they were not observed in more than 2% of the participants in these studies. These symptoms included weight gain, blurred vision, muscle stiffness, and joint pain (FDA, 2017).

In clinical trials, 8% of participants who received Lexapro for GAD and 6% of participants who received prescription drug for MDD discontinued the drug due to side effects. MDD treatment studies have shown that more people stopped using Lexapro when they were given 20mg rather than 10mg daily.

If you are experiencing side effects from Lexapro, it is important to talk to your doctor before stopping your medication. If you stop taking Lexapro suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as nightmares, irritability, headache, nausea, dizziness, or vomiting (NAMI, 2016).

Side effects of Lexapro in men and women

Unfortunately, sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of SSRI treatment. In fact, studies have shown that this specific side effect occurs in 20–70% of patients taking these medications and is a common reason patients want to stop treatment (Osis, 2010). These sexual side effects include:

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• Erectile dysfunction
• Ejaculation disorder (delayed ejaculation)
• Decreased libido

Although researchers have noted this effect with many SSRIs, paroxetine causes the highest rate of sexual dysfunction. Patients taking SSRIs who experience changes in their sex drive or sexual satisfaction should discuss these changes with their health care providers. In some cases, bupropion, mirtazapine, vilazodone, vortioxetine, or SNRIs may be good alternative treatments (Jing, 2016).

Lexapro drug interactions

You should not take Lexapro with certain medicines, including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John’s wort. You should also avoid prescription drugs that affect the breakdown of serotonin in the body, especially MAOIs such as rasagiline and tranylcypromine. Combining these drugs increases the risk of a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. This syndrome occurs when there is too much active serotonin in your body. It can cause mild symptoms such as tremors and diarrhea, but can also be life-threatening (Volpi-Abadie, 2013).

You should also be careful when taking Lexapro with any blood-thinning medications, from real prescription blood thinners like warfarin to over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. Lexapro may increase your risk of bleeding if you take these medicines.

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Lexapro Warnings

It may take some time to experience the full effects of Lexapro and understand the extent to which you experience side effects. Lexapro may cause drowsiness and may affect your ability to make decisions or react to events. For this reason, it is recommended that you do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you understand how this antidepressant affects you.

For the same reason, standard medical advice is to avoid drinking alcohol while taking Lexapro. Alcohol similarly affects your ability to make decisions and react to events. Clinical trials have not shown that Lexapro aggravates these effects of alcohol, but it is possible that the combination could be dangerous in certain situations.

Patients and their families should be monitored for any changes in behavior, including worsening depression, panic attacks, and suicidal ideation, when Lexapro is started or after a dose change. Children, teenagers, and young adults are at increased risk for these side effects. In fact, the FDA has required all manufacturers of antidepressants to update their SSRI drug package information to include these risks found in short-term studies (FDA, 2018).

When to Seek Medical Care

There are serious potential side effects of antidepressants such as Lexapro. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience increased depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts. Contact someone if you notice unusual changes in mood or behavior. You should also call your doctor right away if you experience (FDA, 2017):

• Any symptoms of serotonin syndrome, including coordination problems, hallucinations, palpitations, sweating, nausea, vomiting, muscle stiffness, or high or low blood pressure. pressure.
• Any symptoms of an allergic reaction, including swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, rash or hives.
• Seizures
• Abnormal bleeding
• Manic episodes, which may include spasmodic thoughts, increased energy, reckless behavior, and talking more or faster than usual.
• Changes in appetite or weight, especially in children and adolescents.
• Vision problems including eye pain, swelling or redness around the eyes.

References

1. Bauer, M., Bshore, T., Pfennig, A., Whybrow, P.K., Angst, J., Versiani, M.,. . . WFSBP Working Group on Unipolar Depres. (2007). World Federation of Societies for Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) guidelines for the biological treatment of unipolar depressive disorders in primary care. World Journal of Biological Psychiatry, 8(2), 67-104. DOI: 10.1080 / 15622970701227829 Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15622970701227829
2. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (no data). Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate) Tablets / Oral solution label. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/021323s032,021365s023lbl.pdf
3. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2017, January). Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate). Extracted from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/021323s047lbl.pdf
4. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2009, September). Medications to help you: depression. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/media/77381/download
5. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2018, February 05). Suicidality in children and adolescents treated with antidepressants. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/suicidality-children-and-adolescents-being-treated-antidepressant-medications
6. Jing, E., Straw-Wilson, K. (2016). Sexual dysfunction in selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and possible solutions: a review of the narrative literature. Psychiatrist, 6(4), 191–196. DOI: 10.9740 / mhc.2016.07.191. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29955469/
7. Lee, H., Choi, E.J., Nah, F.C., Yun, I.Yu., and Lee, P B. (2018). Prevalence of unrecognized depression in patients with chronic pain without a history of psychiatric illness. Korean Journal of Pain, 31(2), 116-124. DOI: 10.3344/kjp.2018.31.2.116. Extracted from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29686810/
8. Lamy, M. (January 21, 2013). Manufacturer Lexapro is struggling with patent expiration, lawsuits are mounting. Retrieved from https://www.drugwatch.com/news/2013/01/21/lexapro-manufacturer-struggles-as-patent-expires-lawsuits-grow/
9. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).