Lexapro (escitalopram) is frequently administered to those who suffer from clinical depression and anxiety since it treats both disorders. On the other hand, it has certain adverse effects, much like many other prescription drugs. One such frequent adverse effect that many report is insomnia, which is the inability to fall or stay asleep at night when using Lexapro.

Let’s examine how to handle this side effect and find out more about Lexapro and the sleep problems it may create.

How Does Lexapro Work? A synopsis

Escitalopram, the active component of Lexapro, is frequently given to treat anxiety and depression. It is a member of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of antidepressants. Since receiving FDA approval in 2002, it has become more well-known because of its effectiveness and comparatively low adverse effects when compared to other antidepressants.

How Does the Brain Process Lexapro?

To maintain the proper balance of serotonin levels, lexapro acts on specific brain regions. One essential brain chemical that keeps mood and behavior stable is serotonin. It functions by delaying serotonin reuptake ↗, which maintains high levels of the neurotransmitter for an extended period of time. The brain’s ideal serotonin levels control mood and emotions, reducing the signs and symptoms of anxiety and sadness.

The drug may not work for everyone, and it may take a few weeks to get all of Lexapro’s therapeutic benefits.

What Is Treated With Lexapro?

The following mental health conditions are approved by the FDA for the prescription of Lexapro:

• MDD  (major depressive disorder)
• Disorder of generalized anxiety (GAD ↗ )

Off-label prescriptions are also made for the following mental health condition

• OCD ↗ (obsessive-compulsive disorder)
• Disorder of panic ↗
• Problems with eating ↗
• PMDD ↗ (premenstrual dysphoric disorder)
• Disorders related to traumatic stress

When Is the Best Time to Take Anxiety-Relieving Drug Lexapro?

Some people learn that taking Lexapro in the morning is usually the best option if they want to avoid insomnia. If you take it earlier in the day, the medication has more time to be metabolized by the body, which reduces its concentration and decreases its effects on the brain by evening. This schedule lessens the chance that it will disrupt your nighttime sleep.

Nevertheless, each person’s reaction to Lexapro is different (some may feel sleepy), so figuring out the optimal time for you may require some trial and error. Depending on their individual circumstances, some people may find that taking it in the afternoon or at a different time works better for them. In order to prevent sleep problems and preserve the medication’s efficacy, speak with your healthcare practitioner if you experience problems falling asleep after starting Lexapro.

It’s crucial to take it at the same time every day to guarantee treatment consistency. This lessens the possibility of adverse effects and helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body, which aids in achieving therapeutic results.

Dosage of Lexapro

Usually used once a day, in the morning or the evening, the initial dosage of Lexapro is 10 mg. Generally, 10 mg is the maintenance dose and the suggested dose for the duration of treatment. Depending on how well you respond to the drug and whether it is thought necessary, the doctor may decide to raise the dose to a maximum of 20 mg. Recall that you should always speak with your healthcare practitioner before changing the dosage.

Cautions and Warnings

While severe symptoms of anxiety and depression can be effectively treated with Lexapro, there are a few crucial cautions and warnings you should be aware of before using the medication and go over with your doctor:

• Suicidal Thoughts: Using Lexapro may make people more likely to have suicidal thoughts and actions, particularly in the first few weeks of treatment or while changing dosages. It’s critical to keep a watchful eye out for any indications of deteriorating depression or strange behavioral shifts.
• Withdrawal Symptoms: Dizziness, irritability, nausea, headaches, and mood changes are among the withdrawal symptoms that might occur after abruptly stopping Lexapro ↗. It is advised to gradually reduce medication under a doctor’s supervision.
• Serotonin Syndrome: Because escitalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, it can produce serotonin syndrome, a potentially fatal illness brought on by an excess of serotonin in the brain, when used with other serotonergic medicines. Agitation, hallucinations, a fast heartbeat, stiff muscles, shivering, and perspiration are some of the symptoms. In the event that you suspect serotonin syndrome, get medical help right away.
• Drug Interactions: There may be harmful interactions between Lexapro and a variety of other drugs. These interactions may lessen the effectiveness of treatment or raise the possibility of side effects. Never withhold information about any medications you are taking from your healthcare professional.
• Allergic Reactions: People who are allergic to any of the substances in Lexapro, including escitalopram, should not use it.
• Activation of Mania or Hypomania: Screening is essential since Lexapro can cause manic or hypomanic episodes in those with bipolar disease.
• Interaction With Medical Conditions: People who have a history of seizures, epilepsy, renal disease, liver disease, heart disease, or both should use escitalopram with caution or may need to change their dosage.
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Due to possible dangers to the unborn child, lexapro should be used carefully during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Talk about the advantages and possible hazards with your medical professional.

Effects of Lexapro Sides

When compared to other choices, Lexapro is thought to be a well-tolerated medicine; but, prolonged use and larger dosages may result in certain negative effects. The following are typical side effects of Lexapro:

• Sleep-related issues
• Sickness
• Gaining weight
• Atypical musculoskeletal movements
• Variations in growth
• Prolonged menstrual cycles
• Pain when urinating
• Dysfunction of the erection
• Constipation
• Perspiring
• Changing
• Appetite loss
• Contaminations
• Lightheadedness
• Deficiency
• Unease
• Parched lips

Impacts of Lexapro-Related Sleeplessness

As a side effect of Lexapro, whether it is used to treat anxiety or depressive disorders, sleeplessness may occur. Patients may experience trouble going asleep, remaining asleep, or waking up too early and not being able to go back to sleep. Individuals with insomnia frequently report feeling tired during the day and having poor quality sleep, which can have a detrimental effect on their day-to-day activities and general quality of life due to increased stress and irritation.

Reduced energy, trouble focusing, and emotional instability during the day are some additional effects of sleep disruptions. It is very imperative that you visit a doctor and take immediate action if you are taking Lexapro and are having trouble sleeping or suffering other symptoms of insomnia.

Lexapro-Related Insomnia Incidence

One of the more frequent adverse effects of using Lexapro for depression and anxiety disorders is insomnia. On the other hand, problems sleeping could be a sign of the illness being treated. This makes it challenging to determine if the medicine is the source of the insomnia or if it is a side effect of the underlying mental health problem.

Insomnia was reported as a side effect by 9% of patients taking Lexapro for major depressive disorder (MDD) and 12% of individuals taking it for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), according to a systematic evaluation of placebo-controlled trials ↗. On the other hand, the occurrence varies according to personal factors such as age, medication, and general health.

What Is the Duration of Lexapro Insomnia?

Even when they are exhausted or worn out, patients typically have problems falling asleep during the first week of treatment. Over time, some people learn to fall asleep, but they struggle to stay asleep for extended periods of time. These sleep problems usually go away after a few days or even a few weeks. The precise length of time can, however, differ based on a person’s unique circumstances, including dosage, reaction to the drug, and general health.

Does Sleeplessness Result from Lexapro?

As the body adjusts to the medicine, it may take up to a few weeks for Lexapro to start having less of an effect on your sleep. You might eventually observe a noticeable improvement in the sleep cycle. To understand how to manage insomnia, speak with your healthcare provider if it does not go away even after a few weeks or if it starts to negatively affect your quality of life.

Management of Sleeplessness

Insomnia can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety and despair and have a crippling impact on a person’s day-to-day functioning. There are a number of strategies you can utilize to enhance the quality of your sleep and eliminate Lexapro-induced insomnia. Treatment plans typically include behavioral therapy with self-help techniques that are best developed by a mental health specialist.

When Should I See a Doctor About Insomnia Caused by Lexapro?

It is very important that you speak with your healthcare practitioner if you are taking escitalopram and are having sleeplessness as a side effect that doesn’t go away on its own after a few weeks. Mood fluctuations, extreme exhaustion, and difficulty concentrating are some more specific symptoms.

Prolonged sleeplessness can cause problems in your personal and professional life, such as relationship problems, poor performance, and absenteeism. Other health problems can also result from severe sleep disturbances.

It’s advisable to consult a doctor if you’ve tried conventional self-help suggestions to get better sleep but they didn’t work. By evaluating your treatment plan, a medical practitioner can better identify the underlying cause of your sleeplessness. They can then modify your Lexapro dosage or suggest additional drugs or therapies to help manage your insomnia.

How to Handle Lexapro Insomnia

There are still methods to help control the symptoms even though seeking expert assistance from a medical professional is the only way to receive the best treatment:

• Changing to Different Antidepressants: If you think there may be a better antidepressant out there for you, talk to your doctor about your options. Certain drugs within the same class (SSRIs) may have distinct adverse effects.
• Sleep Supplements: As a temporary fix, certain supplements taken under physician supervision may help you manage your insomnia.
• Psychotherapy: To identify and modify thoughts and behaviors that interfere with sleep, cognitive-behavioral treatment for insomnia (CBT-I ↗) is used. It can be a useful treatment for insomnia whether or not medicine is taken.
• Steer Clear of lengthy Naps: Taking naps that are too lengthy or too late in the day might throw off your circadian rhythm and make it more difficult for you to fall asleep at night.
• Maintain Proper Sleep Hygiene: Make it a habit to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, including on the weekends. Limit the amount of time you spend on screens before bed, and make sure your sleeping space is cozy, quiet, and dark.
• Establish a Sleep Routine: Create a relaxing sleep schedule that includes exercises like light yoga, meditation, reading, or having a warm bath to help your body tell when it’s time to go to sleep.
• Maintain a Healthy food: Sleep quality can be improved by eating a balanced food throughout the day. Steer clear of large, spicy meals right before bed since they might upset stomachs and interfere with sleep.
• Relaxation Techniques: Before going to bed, try deep breathing, mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, or guided imagery to assist de-stress.
• Steer clear of alcohol: While drinking alcohol might intensify the calming effects of lexapro, it can also cause sleep disturbances that eventually result in fragmented sleep.
• Take Prescription Early: By taking escitalopram early in the morning, the drug’s effects on insomnia are lessened till midnight.
• Steer clear of Caffeinated Drinks: The stimulating effects of coffee and other caffeinated beverages can interfere with sleep and make it difficult to fall asleep. Thus, it is advised to restrict their consumption, particularly in the afternoon and evening.
• Exercise Frequently: Adequate amounts of regular physical activity during the day can enhance the quality of your sleep.
• Prevent Distractions: To prevent distractions near bedtime, put your laptops, cell phones, and other electronic devices away. Consider wearing earplugs or a white noise machine if you live in a noisy area.

In summary

Even while Lexapro works well to treat anxiety and depression, some people find that medication makes them sleepless. These sleep issues typically go away with time, and if they persist or worsen, a medical expert can assist in treating them.