Coping With Fatigue Caused by an Antidepressant

These symptoms may intensify if the drug is taken with alcohol or other medications that cause drowsiness. There are ways to minimize the drowsiness and dizziness associated with antidepressants. According to Drugs. A greater fluid intake, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, could also ease the effect of drowsiness.

The drowsiness and dizziness caused by Lexapro occurs because these medications have a tendency to lower blood pressure. Sleep Problems Learn More Some people react to antidepressants in a way that causes more energy than usual.

This can result in trouble sleeping. A person can suffer from insomnia or wake up on and off through the night once they fall asleep. The best way to avoid these sleep problems is for the person to take the medication in the morning upon waking.

They should also avoid caffeine products that will make this problem worse. But even the newer classes of antidepressants —including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs such as Prozac fluoxetine and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs such as Cymbalta duloxetine —can lay you low.

Given that depression itself can make you feel exhausted, it can be frustrating to find that the medication you're taking to treat it isn't helping with your fatigue. If you're dealing with this particular problem, here are some ways you may be able to get the benefits of your medication without constantly feeling like you need a nap.

It's this last side effect that may be responsible for the fatigue you experience when you take an antidepressant. What to Avoid If you're truly fighting to keep your eyes open, there are some important things to avoid doing. Do not get behind the wheel of your car. Let someone else do the driving, call a car service or cab, or use public transportation until you've found a workaround for your fatigue.

Steer clear of alcohol and any medications that also tend to be sedating. The combo of either with your antidepressant could make your fatigue worse.

Strategies to Reduce Tiredness You may be tempted to give in to exhaustion and set up camp on your couch, but there are other things you can do if your antidepressant is wiping you out. However, you may notice the opposite at first. Because weight fluctuations are a possibility, this is the time to take stock of your eating and exercise habits. But Lexapro can cause dizziness or drowsiness. This side effect is most likely to hit during your first few weeks of taking the med.

Taking a nap and finding time for physical activity can help you shake off the sleepy feeling, the Mayo Clinic advises. Any of these warrant a call to your doctor. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.

Drugs to Avoid If You Take Lexapro | Healthfully

Had lexapro bad flu. QT prolongation or other heart issues as the cause of SSRI medication and Sudafed can potentially make these conditions worse. Version: However, be sure to look at the product labels of your medication choice as many Mucinex products contain multiple ingredients, not just guaifenesin. Staying home when you're sick isn't just about your health. Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in.

Avoiding close contact with people when you can not feeling well also helps to prevent tiredness bacteria, virus, or whatever infectious pathogen is making you ill from spreading to others. Drugs taken for pain, such as: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Serotonin syndrome can be extremely dangerous, if not lethal. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine. Caution is advised when using Lexapro and dextromethorphan together. The risk of GI bleeds is especially increased if you have a history of them or ulcerations in the past. NSAIDs are used in combination with many over the counter cold products so be sure to read product labels! Lexapro is used to treat anxiety in adults.

You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.

This side effect take most likely to hit during your first few weeks of for the med. Anxiety doctor should check your progress at regular visits. But Lexapro can cause dizziness or the. Lexapro should not be given to a child younger than 12 years old.

Increases in dosage how occur after one week to enable the patient to establish tolerability of the drug. Take Lexapro exactly as prescribed by lexapro doctor. Generally Considered Okay Antihistamines: Antihistamines e. Amazing, but rather long A dangerous drug interaction could occur. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.

Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. What happens if I overdose? Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at What should I avoid while taking Lexapro?

Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug NSAID for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen Advil, Motrin , naproxen Aleve , celecoxib Celebrex , diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others. Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects. Lexapro may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Lexapro side effects Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Lexapro: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive mentally or physically , more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. Call your doctor at once if you have: blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights; racing thoughts, unusual risk-taking behavior, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness; low levels of sodium in the body - headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady; or severe nervous system reaction - very stiff rigid muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Common Lexapro side effects may include: dizziness, drowsiness, weakness; sweating, feeling shaky or anxious; sleep problems insomnia ; dry mouth, loss of appetite; nausea, constipation; weight changes; or decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. See also: Lexapro side effects in more detail What other drugs will affect Lexapro?

Taking Lexapro with other drugs that make you sleepy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before taking a sleeping pill, narcotic medication, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Lexapro, especially: any other antidepressant; medicine to treat anxiety, mood disorders, or mental illness; lithium, St. John's wort, tramadol, or tryptophan sometimes called L-tryptophan ; a blood thinner - warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; migraine headache medication - sumatriptan, rizatriptan, and others; narcotic pain medication - fentanyl or tramadol; or stimulants or ADHD medication - Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin, and others; This list is not complete.

Other drugs may interact with escitalopram, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. See also: Lexapro drug interactions in more detail Further information Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Lexapro only for the indication prescribed.

Many medications have the potential to interact poorly even dangerously with the common active ingredients in OTC cold medications. Cold and flu remedies that are available over-the-counter often contain ingredients like pseudoephedrine decongestant , diphenhydramine antihistamine , dextromethorphan cough suppressant , or guaifenesin expectorant. These substances can interact with prescription medications used to treat depression and other mental health conditions and have the potential to be serious.

It is not an exhaustive list. If you are taking any prescription medication, always check with your doctor or pharmacist before you take any over-the-counter medication or supplement. If you have a bad cough that's been keeping you awake at night, that can be helpful. However, certain antipsychotics and tranquilizers also have sedative effects.

If you take these drugs with cough medicine, some decongestants, or an antihistamine, the sedating effect can be intensified. It is especially important that you do not use any medicine with dextromethorphan if you take a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor SSRI such as Prozac fluoxetine , Zoloft sertraline , or Lexapro escitalopram.

The combination can cause a serious interaction called serotonin syndrome. If you take an MAOI, you should not take cold, flu, or cough medicine that contains a decongestant such as phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine or dextromethorphan.

Keep Taking Your Medications Unless your doctor tells you to discontinue, you should never stop taking a medication that has been prescribed for you—including antidepressants or other drugs used to treat a mental health condition. Many of the drugs that are used to treat depression and other mental illnesses can cause withdrawal symptoms if they are stopped abruptly.

Stopping your medication without consulting your doctor can also lead to relapse or the worsening of symptoms related to your mental health condition. The symptoms of stopping your medication can be severe—even life-threatening. For example, if a person who is taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor SSRI to treat depression needs or wants to stop taking the medication , they will usually need to slowly taper their dose to reduce the risk of SSRI discontinuation syndrome.

If you take an antidepressant to manage depression, stopping it could cause your depression symptoms to come back. You would not want this to happen in the best of times, let alone when you are already not feeling well. Take Care of Your Mind and Body When you're sick, you need to take care of your mind as well as your body. Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive fear and worry. Dosage Learn More Lexapro is supplied in 5 milligrams, 10 milligrams and 20 milligram tablets, and a peppermint flavored oral solution.

The recommended dosage of Lexapro for depression is 10 milligrams and for generalized anxiety disorder is 10 milligrams. Increases in dosage should occur after one week to enable the patient to establish tolerability of the drug. A gradual reduction of dosage is recommended before discontinuing therapy to avoid any adverse effects such as dizziness or dysphoria.

Lexapro is supplied in 5 milligrams, 10 milligrams and 20 milligram tablets, and a peppermint flavored oral solution.

Mar 30,  · But Lexapro can cause dizziness or drowsiness. The US National Library of Medicine (NLM) recommends that you don’t drive until you know how you feel on the medication.

Anxiety Medication Overview of Lexapro

Perhaps it is changes in neural connectivity facilitated by Lexapro that might yield rapid responses experienced by a subset of users. Ensure you alert the airline lexapro. Dosage You may take Lexapro as tablets or cold oral solution can daily, in the morning or evening, with or without food. Because if an SSRI was already used take a reasonable duration e.

You deserve to live medicine, reach us for an appointment today. With medications are generally effective and have fewer side effects than some you antidepressants such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs.

Persons who derive significant benefit from Lexapro in days could be considered ultrarapid responders, those who respond long Lexapro in less lexapro 2 weeks could be considered rapid responders, and individuals who respond to Lexapro in less click 4 weeks could be considered faster-than-average responders.

Some general tips for coping with Lexapro withdrawal symptoms include: eating a healthful take nutritious diet know more regularly taking all other medications according to the prescription completing the tapering process tracking changes in mood on a calendar or in a notebook telling a doctor about any withdrawal symptoms how support from friends, family, for community groups Preventing withdrawal The best way anxiety prevent withdrawal is to taper the dosage of Lexapro slowly.

How to take the medication? The size is also crucial.

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Feeling tired: Feeling tired after taking the effexor may or may not resolve. Somnolence occurs with lexapro 10% or more. Somnolence can occur with effexor up to 2 Read More.

Share on Pinterest Regular exercise may help a person with the symptoms of withdrawal. A person should never try to quit Lexapro without discussing this decision with their doctor and developing an action plan. In most cases, a doctor will recommend slowly reducing the dosage and possibly switching to an alternative SSRI medication to aid the tapering process. Some general tips for coping with Lexapro withdrawal symptoms include: eating a healthful and nutritious diet exercising regularly taking all other medications according to the prescription completing the tapering process tracking changes in mood on a calendar or in a notebook telling a doctor about any withdrawal symptoms seeking support from friends, family, or community groups Preventing withdrawal The best way to prevent withdrawal is to taper the dosage of Lexapro slowly.

A doctor will help an individual form a plan for doing this. There are several reasons why a person may not want or need to take Lexapro any longer. For instance, they may find that: they are experiencing adverse side effects the medication is ineffective their body has stopped responding to it In some cases, a doctor may prescribe a different medication that leaves the body faster. They can then taper a person off SSRIs using the alternative medication to help prevent withdrawal.

These medications are generally effective and have fewer side effects than some other antidepressants such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs. However, research showed that it was also effective for other mood disorders as well as anxiety disorders.

While it is currently only approved by the Food and Drug Administration FDA for the treatment of depression and generalized anxiety disorder GAD , it is prescribed for many other conditions. Doctors sometimes prescribe Lexapro off-label for illnesses such as bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD , panic disorder with or without agoraphobia , post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD , social anxiety disorder SAD , migraines, and chronic pain.

However, we know that this medication has an effect on serotonin, which is a brain neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, and other bodily functions. It is thought that by taking Lexapro, serotonin levels in the brain become more balanced. This helps to reduce anxiety and enhance mood. There is some evidence that it is more effective than a range of other antidepressants. When Lexapro inhibits the reuptake of serotonin in the brain, extracellular serotonin levels increase and stimulate 5-HT1A receptors to a greater extent than pre-treatment.

The stimulation of 5-HT1A receptors by Lexapro should temporarily decrease the firing rates of serotonin-containing i. That said, as Lexapro continues interacting with 5-HT1A receptor sites over a longer-term e. Once 5-HT1A receptors have downregulated, or decreased in population, serotonin-containing neurons become disinhibited whereby their firing rates dramatically increase.

Increased firing rates of serotonergic neurons bolsters activation of postsynaptic serotonin receptors, possibly leading Lexapro users to derive therapeutic benefit — or report that the drug has begun working.

Though Lexapro induces neuroplastic changes within the brain by increasing BDNF and stimulating hippocampal neurogenesis and gliogenesis, these neuroplastic changes typically do not occur immediately.

For concentrations of BDNF to significantly increase and hippocampal neurogenesis and gliogenesis to occur — it is thought that Lexapro needs to be administered for a reasonable duration of 4 to 8 weeks. When Lexapro has been administered for 1 to 2 months, gene signaling will have occurred such that the medication will have facilitated the growth of new brain cells and tissue in the hippocampus. The upregulation of BDNF coupled with hippocampal remodeling may be what contributes most substantially to the therapeutic effect derived from Lexapro — for a subset of users.

Once the neuroplastic changes have occurred e. A person initiating treatment a low dose of Lexapro e. Essentially, a 20 mg dose of Lexapro might exert 2-fold greater serotonin reuptake inhibition than a 10 mg dose. Additionally, longer-term neurophysiologic adaptations to Lexapro such as 5-HT1A receptor downregulation and hippocampal neurogenesis may occur at a faster rate in high dose users.

A psychiatrist or medical doctor may recommend gradually titrating the dosage upwards i. Nevertheless, know that low or subclinical dosing in the first few weeks of Lexapro treatment might be a reason as to why the medication can take a while to start working. A Lexapro user with high self-awareness who initiates treatment at a therapeutic dose e. Initial Lexapro dose The initial dose of Lexapro that you use for treatment may determine how quickly the drug begins working.

This is because at higher doses, Lexapro provides more substantial serotonin reuptake inhibition than at lower doses. For example, a 20 mg dose of Lexapro should provide double the serotonin reuptake inhibition of a 10 mg dose such that extracellular serotonin signaling will greater — contributing to a more pronounced effect. Additionally, it is thought that neurophysiologic adaptations that require time such as 5-HT1A receptor downregulation and hippocampal remodeling might occur at a quicker rate in persons who start treatment with a high dose — compared to a lower one.

Though it often makes sense to start with a low Lexapro dose to give your body a chance to gradually adjust to its effect. The low dose might take longer to start working due to lesser initial serotonin reuptake inhibition and slower induction of neurophysiologic adaptations necessary for therapeutic benefit.

Eventually, as the low initial dose is increased within the upper therapeutic range, most users should notice Lexapro working. Lexapro user genetics The genetics of a Lexapro user might influence the rate at which it begins working — or facilitating a noticeable effect.

For example, someone expressing genes that yield poor CYP2C19 metabolism will end up with higher-than-average systemic concentrations of Lexapro. If a poor CYP2C19 metabolizer initiates treatment with a high dose of Lexapro, its effect may be pronounced earlier in treatment largely due to the fact that poor CYP2C19 metabolism yields more substantial exposure to the medication. On the other hand, someone expressing genes that yield rapid or ultrarapid CYP2C19 metabolism may be less likely to notice the medication working early in treatment.

A rapid CYP2C19 metabolizer may need 8 weeks of treatment and dosage increases thereafter to derive a therapeutic benefit, largely due to the fact that rapid CYP2C19 metabolism reduces exposure to the medication. In fact, persons classified as CYP2C19 ultrarapid metabolizers may not even respond to Lexapro — or notice it working because systemic exposure is so minimal. In addition to genes implicated in Lexapro pharmacokinetics, there may be genes that predict how effectively interacts with various neurochemical targets.

For example, variants in the 5-HTTPLR gene may influence the amount of benefit someone derives from Lexapro, as well as how long it takes for the medication to start working. Because if an SSRI was already used for a reasonable duration e. Due to these neurophysiologic adaptations already being present, Lexapro may begin working at a faster rate.