If you’re taking Lexapro and experiencing insomnia, there is a possibility it might be caused by your medical condition rather than the medication. Insomnia presents as not being able to fall asleep even when you feel tired, or being unable to stay asleep, which affects your sleep quality.
Many antidepressants, especially SSRIs, can cause insomnia due to their effect on the serotonergic system responsible for certain bodily functions, including sleep. More than 10% of patients reported insomnia while on Lexapro, according to the FDA, making it one of the most common side effects of the medication. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it to treat those conditions but your healthcare provider can prescribe it if they believe it may help. It can also be prescribed off-label for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorders, eating disorders, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD). It is also prescribed for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults. Lexapro is prescribed for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), also known as depression, in adults and children as young as 12 years old. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for mood, sleep, and other bodily functions.Ī comparative review suggests that escitalopram is more effective and has a better tolerability profile than other SSRIs. SSRIs prevent the reuptake of serotonin in the brain, thereby increasing the amount available. It is a medication belonging to the selective serotonin uptake inhibitors ( SSRI) class of drugs. Lexapro is a brand name for the medication escitalopram oxalate. We’ll also look into when to see a doctor if you think Lexapro is causing your insomnia.
In this article, we’ll discuss the relationship between Lexapro and insomnia, whether Lexapro causes insomnia, and how to manage insomnia caused by Lexapro. One of the most common side effects of Lexapro is insomnia, where patients find it difficult to fall or stay asleep.
People who take Lexapro often report improvements in the symptoms of depression and anxiety after 4-6 weeks, but it’s important to note the medication can have side effects that range from mild to severe.
I'm still having anxiety and OCD type symptoms and sadness/suicidal feelings too (my mom has dementia and its getting bad and its been a struggle for me) and irritability but still feeling happy at times, like exploring nature or listening to music and dancing.Lexapro is one of the most prescribed antidepressants in the United States. I have some brain fog from not getting enough sleep, like I struggled with recalling some topics I wanted to bring up in a conversation but I'm still not tired, its weird. My husband is furious because I'm not going to sleep like a responsible adult and then I end up sleeping later than I should as well. It all started when I found a breast lump, which is around the same time I increased the dose, and then I stayed up all night afraid of my mammogram coming up, and it's like I can't get back to where I was before I found the lump. I literally just lie in bed, wide awake, or watch videos, or picture myself dancing and playing music in my head, or I am filled with rage, or shame spirals, or mourning, all in between bouts of indifference but accompanied with this obsession with watching youtube videos and learning things, and feeling ovestimulated with my husband and dog lying next to me and feeling guilty they are asleep and I'm not. (36 F) I've increased my dose from 5 to 7.5 mg for about two weeks now, and for about two weeks I've not been able to sleep until at least 8 am and even then I'm struggling to fall asleep, I just force myself because the sunlight outside freaks me out, so then i sleep for just a couple hours each day if I'm lucky.