advertisement
Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
BETosca
Member
BETosca has no updates.
 
Member Since: Sep 2008
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 32
15 yr Member
Default Sep 10, 2008 at 02:40 PM
  #1
So, my doc has prescribed Lexapro (10 mg) for my depression and anxiety. My sleep in the last few months has been lousy, and I've often had to take zopiclone or .5mg ativan to sleep.

Just wondering what is the best time of day to take this stuff- a.m. or p.m. Will it make me drowsy or keep me awake? I know that the product monograph says either could happen, just wondering what others' experiences with this stuff were like.

Thanks so much

__________________
Busy GAD (and maybe depressed?) momma of 2 kids, 8 and 6.
BETosca is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote

advertisement
(JD)
Legendary Wise Elder
 
(JD)'s Avatar
(JD) has no updates.
 
Member Since: Dec 2003
Location: Coram Deo
Posts: 35,474 (SuperPoster!)
20 yr Member
1,651 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Sep 10, 2008 at 03:52 PM
  #2
I'm not a medical doctor, but I think Lexapro has some positive results for most who take it. Why not try it at night before bed and see if it helps you sleep better? If there are other side effects, they might be less noticed if the med is taken at nighttime I think.

__________________
Best time of day to take Lexapro?
Believe in Him or not --- GOD LOVES YOU!

Want to share your Christian faith? Click HERE
(JD) is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
darkrunner
Magnate
 
darkrunner's Avatar
darkrunner has no updates.
 
Member Since: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,259
15 yr Member
2 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Sep 10, 2008 at 06:12 PM
  #3
Hi BETosca,
I started taking 10 mg Lexapro a couple of weeks ago, and my pdoc told me to take it in the morning with food. (Last week he increased it to 20 mg, still in the AM). It does not make me drowsy at all.

I've read that Lexapro can cause difficulty sleeping - i don't know if that is true. I do have a lot of trouble sleeping, but the insomnia started before I started taking the Lexapro. I can't really tell if it's gotten worse because of the Lexapro.

My pdoc also prescribed Klonopin, which I take before bedtime, for anxiety and to help me sleep. The Klonopin makes me very sleepy! But I still wake at 2 or 3 am.

Best wishes to you!

ktgirl
darkrunner is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Lemon
Veteran Member
 
Lemon's Avatar
Lemon has no updates.
 
Member Since: Mar 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 349
15 yr Member
Default Sep 13, 2008 at 07:55 PM
  #4
My dr suggested taking my Lexapro at night before bed. For a couple weeks I tried taking it in the morning just to see if I felt any different. I think I felt sleepier during the day, so I went back to taking it at night.
Lemon is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
ECHOES
Legendary
 
ECHOES's Avatar
ECHOES has no updates.
 
Member Since: Aug 2007
Location: West of Tampa Bay, East of the Gulf of Mexico
Posts: 14,352 (SuperPoster!)
15 yr Member
1,020 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Sep 13, 2008 at 09:24 PM
  #5
When I was prescribed Lexapro, my doctor said that it affects individuals differently.

For some, it wakes them up so they are advised to take it in the morning.

For others, it makes them tired, so they are advised to take it at bedtime.

So, see how it goes for you and how it makes you feel, then take it at the same time each day at whatever time works best for you.

Did your prescriber advise you on the time of day to take it?
ECHOES is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
BETosca
Member
BETosca has no updates.
 
Member Since: Sep 2008
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 32
15 yr Member
Default Sep 14, 2008 at 06:21 PM
  #6
Quote:
Originally Posted by ECHOES View Post
When I was prescribed Lexapro, my doctor said that it affects individuals differently.

For some, it wakes them up so they are advised to take it in the morning.

For others, it makes them tired, so they are advised to take it at bedtime.

So, see how it goes for you and how it makes you feel, then take it at the same time each day at whatever time works best for you.

Did your prescriber advise you on the time of day to take it?
Nope. My doc said "you never know" so he left it totally up to me. I ended up taking at bedtime, hedging my bets that it would make me sleepy. I've had no trouble *getting* to sleep (esp. since I am still taking the zopiclone with it), but I am waking early, at 5:00 a.m., which sucks because my anxiety is worst in the morning. As far as I am concerned, the more of the morning is taken by sleep, the better it is for me.

__________________
Busy GAD (and maybe depressed?) momma of 2 kids, 8 and 6.
BETosca is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Thanks for this!
ECHOES
cantstopcrying
Elder
 
cantstopcrying's Avatar
cantstopcrying has no updates.
 
Member Since: Sep 2008
Location: MI
Posts: 5,361
15 yr Member PC PoohBah!
Default Sep 14, 2008 at 08:49 PM
  #7
Lexapro worked best for me taken at night, for my ex-fiance in the morning. Also, I gained a lot of weight on it. I hope it works well for you.

__________________
____________________________________
"We can't talk at the same time! It doesn't work like that! I talk, you talk, I talk, you talk!!" ~ Peanut
Best time of day to take Lexapro?
cantstopcrying is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
willam
Junior Member
willam has no updates.
 
Member Since: Aug 2014
Location: senic rim, Queensland
Posts: 11
8 yr Member
Default Nov 28, 2014 at 05:28 AM
  #8
Lexapro (escitalopram) works better either morning or night so for me it doesn't really matter what time I use to take them morning or night (sleep like a baby) it still works for me.
willam is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Anonymous53806
Guest
Anonymous53806 has no updates. Edit
 
Posts: n/a
Default Nov 28, 2014 at 06:11 AM
  #9
When I first started taking I would take it at my bed time (I work nights so I sleep during the day, and I am awake at night so I always try bed time first). However it caused me to have restless sleep and the medication IMO works better when you get up because the effects of it last all day while you are awake.
  Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
willam
Junior Member
willam has no updates.
 
Member Since: Aug 2014
Location: senic rim, Queensland
Posts: 11
8 yr Member
Default Nov 28, 2014 at 06:41 AM
  #10
understand why you tried different ways taking your medicine. For me now I'm not taking my medication due to fears of taking them I guess you would say I'm pessimistic which is true 'fearing the worst what could happen if I continue taking them'. In the beginning I use to stop and start last for 3 days and stop. And start again. Escitalopram worked few minutes after taking them they were a pro worked great but why I am so scared is because of negative information about antidepressants on the net. I've always had depression since primary school. Today as you know I still have depression and I want to be relieved by taking medication as they do wonders with me but I'm just so scared to stick to the course of the medication. Although the meds help me but wonder how long the good effect of the drug will last and that's my problem why I won't stick to taking the meds.
willam is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
pbutton
Oh noes!
 
pbutton's Avatar
pbutton hates intimacy
 
Member Since: Jul 2011
Location: in a house
Posts: 4,485
10 yr Member
6,819 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Nov 29, 2014 at 04:25 PM
  #11
I take mine at night before bed. No problems falling asleep. I have not gained any weight on it. No sexual side effects either, which is nice because I did have that problem with zoloft.
pbutton is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
willam
Junior Member
willam has no updates.
 
Member Since: Aug 2014
Location: senic rim, Queensland
Posts: 11
8 yr Member
Default Nov 29, 2014 at 08:25 PM
  #12
I'm going to have to take my meds cause it's not seem to be doing me any better not taking them (lexapro). Lexapro works fine for me at night. No insomnia I really have good sleeps. As you know I'm not taking them cause of my own personal fears hearing about them on the net. But they do work for me wonders gives me energy makes me function very well like when I was energetic in my childhood and teenage years. Sexual side effect can be a problem the only side effect I have but I guess the meds will improve that well into two months or so do you think??
willam is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:30 PM.
Powered by vBulletin® — Copyright © 2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.



 

My Support Forums

My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.

 

Helplines and Lifelines

The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.

Always consult your doctor or mental health professional before trying anything you read here.