Lexapro how many weeks

If you start to have problems with your weight while taking escitalopram, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Some people find they can't concentrate properly while they're taking escitalopram. It might be best to stop driving and cycling for the first few days of treatment until you know how this medicine makes you feel.

Escitalopram will not affect any type of contraception, including the combined pill or emergency contraception. There's some evidence that escitalopram can reduce the quality of sperm, but it's not known whether this reduces male fertility. The effect should reverse once you stop taking the medicine.

Speak to your doctor if you're concerned. For women, there's no firm evidence to suggest that taking escitalopram will reduce your fertility. But speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you're trying to get pregnant. They may want to review your treatment. The good effects of escitalopram may, after a while, improve your sex life as your mood lifts and you become interested in life and relationships again.

Sexual side effects usually pass after the first couple of weeks. However, very rarely, they can be long lasting and may not get better even after stopping the medicine. If these happen and are a problem for you, go back to your doctor to see if there's another treatment you can try.

You can drink alcohol while taking escitalopram, but it may make you feel sleepy. It might be best to stop drinking alcohol until you see how the medicine makes you feel. Antidepressants, including escitalopram, are just one of several approaches to treating depression or anxiety.

If you're interested in any of these treatments, talk to your doctor. Cannabis can also make drowsiness worse with escitalopram, especially in people who have just started taking it. Methadone can increase the risk of side effects in people taking escitalopram. Talk to your doctor if you think you might use recreational drugs while taking escitalopram. Page last reviewed: 14 December Next review due: 14 December Escitalopram On this page About escitalopram Key facts Who can and cannot take escitalopram How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.

About escitalopram Escitalopram is a type of antidepressant known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor SSRI. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? It usually takes 4 to 6 weeks for escitalopram to work. Side effects such as feeling sick nausea and headache are common. They're usually mild and go away after a couple of weeks. If you and your doctor decide to take you off escitalopram, your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually to help prevent extra side effects.

Escitalopram is also called by the brand name Cipralex. Escitalopram can be taken by adults over the age of Check with your doctor before starting to take escitalopram if you: have had an allergic reaction to escitalopram or any other medicines in the past have epilepsy or are having electroconvulsive treatment - escitalopram may increase your risk of having a seizure have a heart problem - escitalopram can speed up or change your heartbeat have a low heart rate, plus you have had severe diarrhoea and vomiting for a long time or take tablets that make you pee more diuretics have ever taken any other medicines for depression - some rarely used antidepressants can interact with escitalopram to cause very high blood pressure even when they have been stopped for a few weeks are trying to become pregnant, already pregnant or breastfeeding have an eye problem called glaucoma - escitalopram can increase the pressure in your eye If you have diabetes , escitalopram can make it more difficult to keep your blood sugar stable.

Take escitalopram once a day. You can take it with or without food. If you have trouble sleeping, it's best to take it in the morning. How much to take Escitalopram tablets come in different strengths ranging from 5mg to 20mg. If you have liver problems, the maximum recommended dose is 10mg a day. What if I forget to take it? Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten doses. If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you.

What if I take too much? Urgent advice: Call your doctor straight away if:. Common side effects Common side effects may happen in more than 1 in 10 people. Keep taking the medicine, but talk to a doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or don't go away: a dry mouth sweating a lot being unable to sleep feeling sleepy feeling tired or weak Serious side effects Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1, people.

These aren't all the side effects of escitalopram. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicines packet. Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.

Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: a dry mouth - chew sugar-free gum or sugar-free sweets sweating a lot - try wearing loose clothing, using a strong anti-perspirant, and keeping cool using a fan, if possible.

If this doesn't control the problem, talk to your doctor. You may need to try a different antidepressant. Do not drive or use tools or machinery if you're feeling sleepy. If this doesn't help, talk to your doctor. Do not drive or use tools or machinery if you're feeling tired. If you miss a dose of escitalopram, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is closer to the time of your next dose.

Discuss this with your health care provider. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed. Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking antidepressant medications. They may decrease the benefits e. If an overdose occurs, call your doctor or You may need urgent medical care. You may also contact the poison control center at Headache, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, increased sweating, feeling nervous, restless, fatigue, or having trouble sleeping insomnia.

These will often improve over the first week or two as you continue to take the medication. Sexual side effects, such as problems with orgasm or ejaculatory delay often do not diminish over time. Low sodium blood levels symptoms of low sodium levels may include headache, weakness, difficulty concentrating and remembering , teeth grinding, angle closure glaucoma symptoms of angle closure glaucoma may include eye pain, changes in vision, swelling or redness in or around eye , serotonin syndrome symptoms may include shivering, diarrhea, confusion, severe muscle tightness, fever, seizures, and death , seizure.

SSRI antidepressants including escitalopram may increase the risk of bleeding events. Combined use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs e. This may include symptoms such as gums that bleed more easily, nose bleed, or gastrointestinal bleeding. Some cases have been life threatening. To date, there are no known problems associated with long term use of escitalopram.

It is a safe and effective medication when used as directed. Escitalopram should not be taken with or within 2 weeks of taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs. Escitalopram may increase the effects of other medications that can cause bleeding e. Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working.

Depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to weeks to fully improve. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide.

This risk may persist until significant remission occurs. In short-term studies, antidepressants increased the risk of suicidality in children, adolescents, and young adults when compared to placebo. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age Adults age 65 and older taking antidepressants have a decreased risk of suicidality. Patients, their families, and caregivers should be alert to the emergence of anxiety, restlessness, irritability, aggressiveness and insomnia.

All patients being treated with antidepressants for any indication should watch for and notify their health care provider for worsening symptoms, suicidality and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment.

Last Updated: January This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists. This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Your healthcare provider may recommend gradually lowering or tapering your dose of Lexapro over the course of several weeks or months.

This may help to reduce your risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms or a relapse of depression or anxiety. Escitalopram, the active ingredient in Lexapro, is one of the most common SSRIs used to treat depression and anxiety. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice.

Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Insider tips, early access and more. Top Treatments. Top Conditions Erectile Dysfunction. Mental Health. What Is the Half-Life of Lexapro? After 54 hours to 64 hours, 2.