I'm taking Lexapro for anxiety and it's making me very tired feeling. What can I do to improve this?

Question

Been on it for 4 weeks. I find myself taking a long nap every day and not wanting to do much of anything. This is not normal for me.

Answer 1

Try to exercise throughout the day. For example, run a mile or two in the morning, go for a 15 minute walk around lunchtime, and walk or go to the gym in the evening. Also try to avoid sitting for long periods of time. Getting your heart rate above what it is at rest will stimulate blood shunting to your brain and muscles, making you feel more alert and refreshed. Just be careful not to exercise too much at once, or you'll feel quite tired/fatigued when you finish.

Answer 2

I was on lexapro for awhile and it didn't help at all. we tried a couple of different drugs. I ended up just trying to figure out what was causing my depression and dealing with it. I'm not taking anything for it now, I'm just trying to focus on the good things in life.

Answer 3

I was also having the same problem with lexapro and i was told by my doctor if i take it at night,rather than morning it should change and it didmso maybe try changing the time you take it or try a different med..go to webmd.com...They are great when it comes to answering any questions about medical issues.
I hope I helped and good luck!
Denise

Answer 4

That's normal for that pill. I know a lot of people who've been on it, including myself (not anymore)
But watch out!
They take away your sex drive. Sometimes for life, which is why many doctors and phychiatrists won't prescribe it.
They worked terrific for my anxiety/slight depression. But I've never done research on it, though I doubt it'd say anything about the 'drive'.

Answer 5

Seems like you need to decide if the medication is worth it. If its altering your mood too radically or you don't like the way it makes you feel talk to your doctor about going off of it or switching to a different medication. There are other ways to deal with anxiety besides medicine. You could try talking to a therapist who would teach you how to deal with it.

Answer 6

Ask the doctor to lower the dose or try another drug. Usually after 4 weeks your body would be accustomed to the drug.


GENERIC NAME: escitalopram
BRAND NAME: Lexapro
PRESCRIBED FOR: Escitalopram is approved for the treatment of depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Drugs in the SSRI class also have been studied in persons with obsessive-compulsive disorders and panic disorders.

DOSING: The usual starting dose of escitalopram is 10 mg once daily. Benefit may not be seen until treatment has been given for up to 4 weeks. Escitalopram can be taken with or without food. Older and younger persons require similar doses.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: All SSRIs, including escitalopram, should not be taken together with any drugs of the MAO (mono-amine oxidase) inhibitor-class of antidepressants, for example, isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and procarbazine (Matulane). Such combinations may lead to confusion, high blood pressure, high fevers, tremor or muscle rigidity, and increased activity. This same type of interaction also may occur with selegiline (Eldepryl), fenfluramine (Pondimin), and dexfenfluramine (Redux). Tryptophan can cause headaches, nausea, sweating, and dizziness when taken with any SSRI. At least 14 days should elapse after discontinuing escitalopram before starting a MAO inhibitor.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most commonly-noted side effects associated with escitalopram are agitation or restlessness, blurred vision, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, dry mouth, fever, frequent urination, headache, indigestion, nausea, increased or decreased appetite, increased sweating, sexual difficulties (decreased sexual ability or desire, ejaculatory delay), taste alterations, tremor (shaking), weight changes. Although changes in sexual desire, sexual performance and sexual satisfaction often occur as a result of depression itself, they also may be a consequence of the drugs used to treat depression. In particular, about one in 11 men given escitalopram report difficulties experiencing ejaculation.

Some patients may experience withdrawal reactions upon stopping SSRI therapy. Symptoms may include dizziness, tingling, tiredness, vivid dreams, irritability, or poor mood. In order to avoid these symptoms, the dose of SSRI can be slowly reduced instead of abruptly stopped.

It has been suggested that SSRIs may cause depression to worsen and even lead to suicide in a small number of patients. These potential side effects are difficult to evaluate in depressed patients because depression can progress with or without treatment, and suicide is itself a consequence of depression. Moreover, the evidence supporting these potential side effects is weak. Therefore, no conclusions can yet be drawn about the relationship between SSRIs and worsening depression and suicide. Until better information is available, patients receiving SSRIs should be monitored for worsening depression and suicidal tendencies.

Answer 7

First talk to your doc. Until then,Take it in the afternoon. I do this and I sleep like a log at night.

Answer 8

I think you should let your doctor know what your symptoms are, perhaps the dose is to high for you right now.

Answer 9

tell your doctor I had that problem and I told him I did not to go around like a zomba

Answer 10

Either lessen the dose or go off it.