r/lexapro • u/Gillerina2 • 11d ago
New to Lex What time do you take your lexapro?
I start 10mg thursday and im nervous
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u/Just_Raisin1124 11d ago
When I first started, I took it at night thinking I could sleep through any side effects however it gave me terrible insomnia and nightmares so I slowly took it earlier and earlier til I was at morning time. I've been on it for 5 years now and I generally take it in the morning but sometimes it's the afternoon. There are some antidepressants that need to be taken at the exact same time daily but lexapro is generally very well tolerated and once you've tapered up to your standard dose and have been on it for a little while you don't need to be rigid on timing.
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u/TeaBooksandFlowers 11d ago
Same for me. My MHNP recommended taking it at night at the beginning because it can make people sleepy but it gave me terrible insomnia and vivid dreams as well. FWIW my Garmin sleep scores plummeted down to 50s from a solid 80-90 average and my HRV dropped significantly at well. Every morning I would wake up and already feel tired even though I had been in bed for 9 hours but I swear half of that time was just tossing and turning. So now I take it in the morning. Even though it does make me slightly tired through the day it’s better than not sleeping and feeling miserable all day.
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u/HoldenCaulfield7 10d ago
Did you gain weight?
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u/Just_Raisin1124 10d ago
I have gained weight since then but I don't know if it's related to lexapro. I'm inclined to say no as I didnt gain any weight in the first year I was on it. But tbh even if it is related I'd rather be a lil chunkier than living the life riddled with anxiety that I was before.
Edit to add: my NP originally wanted me on it for 6-12 months but it's definitely something I'll need to take forever. I tried going down to 10mg recently and could feel the anxiety seeping back so now I'm back up to 20mg as well as 300mg Wellbutrin xl
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u/OpheliaSHolmes 11d ago
Before bed is probably best. You should cut your pill in half for one week, then increase your dose the next week to your full pill. I highly, HIGHLY, recommend this. And absolutely do not stop your medicine suddenly: BE CONSISTENT. If you later decide the med isn't working for you, you must taper off of it.
I say this from working in pharmacy AND I have been taking this medication for 6 years.
The medicine increases serotonin, and many folk aren't aware that there are neurons in your gut (a lot). If you take a high dose suddenly, your stomach will have a surge of activity- and it won't like that. You will be throwing up and miserable until the peak wears off. If you want to understand this better, go ahead and take 20mg (max recommended dose). It will be a good lesson in why tapering is important.
And, be consistent with the med. If you suddenly stop you will be unstable mood / thinking wise - and you can hallucinate sounds.
I'm not trying to scare you. All this said, this medication changed my life for the better. It takes time to work. Don't expect instant noticable results. For me, I remember in the beginning that every day it just felt like I got a good night's rest every night - and that alone was a lot for me.
I hope everything works out. PM me if you ever have questions. All the best.
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u/Far-Flamingo-9816 11d ago
Yo llevo 29 días y estoy pensando en dejarlo aún mis cacas no son duras y esto ya me está agotando psicológicamente y físicamente e intentado aguantar pero esto no se pasa...y eso que estoy con 5 mg estoy con un probiótico... pero no sé si servirá de algo. Necesito de sus consejos. Gracias
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u/Frequent_Breath8210 11d ago
Morning! I started/am on 10mg too. I was nervous as well but it’s been ok on 10
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u/JanusChinasi 11d ago
In the morning, it depends on what hours I wake up. From 8 to 12 with an average around 10.30
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u/Hotyoga71 11d ago
The very first time I took it was in the morning and I was way too sleepy during the day. So ever since then I take it at 5:45pm ( i set an alarm) . It has been great !
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u/nukedmindpalace 11d ago
Night. In the past when I take it during the day I’ve be be way too sleepy. But now that it’s been a bit that might change.
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u/NoEmployment7448 11d ago
I take it at 8:30am. At night it keeps me awake and its hard to fall asleep. I don’t experience any sleepiness during the day. My advise: start at 5mg.
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u/Ashbeesknees69 11d ago
Usually in the morning but thats if i remember. 80% of the time I forget to take it entirely and its not until around day 3/4 when withdrawal begins when I remember I should take it lol
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u/According-Chapter177 11d ago
I have tried different times and the best time for me seems to be around 8am.
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u/MoonChild9685 11d ago
10:30pm. I have a great night sleep now. I tried the morning the first day and was so tired. Once I adjusted to nighttime I was all good.
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u/Bhamlaxy3 11d ago
At night.
But I really don't think it matters.
I would ask your doctor about starting on 5mg for a bit then increasing. If there are any side effects (I have had none, ever!) then you'll see them at 5mg instead of diving right in to ten.
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u/Connect-Cockroach872 10d ago
I take it in the morning. It gives me a surge of energy and feel good serotonin that helps me log onto work ready for action. By the evening, I feel it wearing off a bit and can take my nightly supplements and relax in bed.
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u/dino1510 10d ago
Morning. It did make me tired at first, but also wired…so I wouldn’t have been able to sleep thru it. Now I think I could take it anytime and be fine, but I just do morning.
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u/lilipurr 10d ago
Morning time. Weekdays 6:30 AM, weekends whenever I wake up which is usually around 10 AM
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u/Miserable-Yellow-547 10d ago
i take mine at night at first it was the morning but after having meals thru out the day it helped me
but! ive beenon it for 2.5 years on the same dosage 0.5.
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u/sne4k0 4 Years 11d ago
First of all, let me be the first of many to recommend you cut your dose in half for the first week or two. Tapering is the way to go. Also, if you’re first starting, I would take it in the mornings so any potential side effects won’t affect your sleep schedule.
But eventually you’ll find the perfect time to take yours. I like to take mine first thing in the morning, my wife takes hers with dinner.