Does Lexapro make you tired?

Lexapro, the brand name for escitalopram, is an antidepressant that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of mental health conditions, including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in adults, young adults, and pediatric patients. It is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that works by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin into the brain—increasing the amount present. This neurotransmitter plays a crucial role in regulating your mood and emotions. It’s part of the reason this medication helps alleviate mood disorders. However, like any medication, Lexapro has several potential side effects—including somnolence or a state of increased drowsiness. Since depression can make you tired all on its own, it may be frustrating to learn that antidepressant treatment can make it even worse. The good news? It’s usually temporary. Read on to learn more about how long this sleepy feeling when using SSRIs usually persists.

Does Lexapro make you sleepy?

Drowsiness is one of the most common side effects of the antidepressant known as Lexapro—especially when starting the prescription. One study found that 10%-38% of patients experienced grogginess after taking Lexapro and other antidepressants, such as nefazodone, Effexor (venlafaxine), and Cymbalta (duloxetine). Wellbutrin (bupropion) did not cause as much sleepiness, while Desyrel (trazodone) and Remeron (mirtazapine) caused even greater drowsiness than SSRIs.

Typically, side effects, including tiredness and fatigue, are most severe in the first two weeks and then start to improve. “You just need to give your body enough time to adjust to the medicine,” explains Raafat W. Girgis, MD, a triple board-certified psychiatrist at Moment of Clarity Health Center in California. Not everyone will feel sleepy after taking this medication.

Aside from fatigue, other common side effects of Lexapro include:

• Insomnia
• Increased energy
• Sexual side effects (e.g., decreased libido or erectile dysfunction)
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Increased sweating
• Dry mouth
• Weight gain or weight loss
• Nosebleeds

Lexapro can also cause more serious side effects, like serotonin syndrome or suicidal thoughts—both of which can be life-threatening. Combining Lexapro with other antidepressants can put patients at increased risk of serotonin syndrome, such as:

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as Nardil (phenelzine), Parnate (tranylcypromine), or Marplan (isocarboxazid) 
• Other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including Prozac (fluoxetine), Celexa (citalopram), Zoloft (sertraline, and Paxil (paroxetine)
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like Asendin (amoxapine) and Elavil (amitriptyline)
• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), including Effexor XR (venlafaxine), and Cymbalta (duloxetine)

“If an individual experiences thoughts of suicide, they should seek out medical attention immediately from their medical provider or by going to the nearest emergency room,” says Rodney Villanueva, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist at Atrium Health in Charlotte, North Carolina. You can also dial 911 or 988, the 24-hour suicide and crisis lifeline for help.

Consult with a healthcare provider about possible drug interactions if you are taking prescription or over-the-counter medications. Pay attention to signs of an allergic reaction, including shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, skin rash or itching, and facial swelling.

Why does Lexapro make you tired?

Lexapro affects the serotonin levels in your brain. Serotonin levels impact sleep patterns, which may cause some people to sleep more and may cause some people to feel more alert. When serotonin levels are elevated, it can lead to difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or achieving restorative sleep, according to Dr. Girgis. This can cause daytime tiredness if you are awake during the night. Luckily, for most people, tiredness is temporary—and there are strategies to minimize the negative impact.

Managing Lexapro fatigue

If you experience fatigue within the first week or two of taking Lexapro, there are ways you can reduce the effects of it on your daily life.

Change your medication schedule

You should take Lexapro at the same time each day, but depending on how the medication affects you, you may want to adjust when you have your daily dose. If Lexapro is making you tired, ask your provider if you should try taking it before bedtime. If it makes you feel more alert, taking it in the morning could be the best choice for you. Lexapro reaches peak blood concentrations around 5 hours after you take it and steadily declines after that. “No recent scientific research has assessed the right time to take Lexapro, but it is possible that reducing concentrations throughout the day could reduce insomnia,” says Dr. Girgis.

Ask about changing the dosage or your medication

Prolonged fatigue when taking Lexapro could be a sign that your dose is too low (and not alleviating symptoms of depression) or too high (leading to side effects). If your tiredness lasts longer than two weeks, talk to your healthcare provider to see if a dosage change might help your sleepiness. Don’t adjust the dosage on your own or stop taking the medication without medical advice. Discontinuing Lexapro suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms.

If tiredness persists, your healthcare provider may want to prescribe a different type of antidepressant or a low dose of additional medication to help regulate energy during the day or sleep at night.

Practice good sleep hygiene

Cultivating healthy sleep habits can help you get more shuteye, whether your sleep issues are due to psychiatric medications like Lexapro or not. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, you should follow these tips:

• Get outside during the day. Exposure to natural light can regulate sleep patterns.
• Avoid drinking alcohol before bedtime.
• Have a light snack in the evening, but avoid large meals and too many beverages at night.
• Don’t nap after 3 p.m.
• Leave time to unwind before going to sleep.
• Remove distractions from the bedrooms (i.e., cell phones, tablets, and electronic devices).
• Optimize your sleep environment to make it dark, cool, and comfortable.

If you’re lying awake for more than 20 minutes, try getting up and doing a relaxing activity, like reading a book, until you feel ready to sleep again.

RELATED: 21 ways to sleep better tonight

Engage in regular physical activity

Being active during the day can help you feel tired and ready for bed at night. In fact, some forms of exercise have been proven to help you sleep better. For example, 55% of people who did yoga said it helped them sleep better at night. Just be sure to consult with a healthcare professional who is familiar with your medical conditions and health history before starting a new fitness routine to make sure it is safe and healthy for you to do so.

Practice stress-reduction techniques

Dr. Girgis recommends practicing mindfulness and deep breathing exercises to help improve energy levels and combat fatigue when taking Lexapro. These same techniques can also help you fall asleep at night or get back to sleep if you wake up in the middle of the night.

RELATED: 10 breathing exercises for anxiety

When to see your healthcare provider

You should contact your healthcare provider right away if you experience any side effects after starting an antidepressant like Lexapro. They might advise waiting a few weeks to see if your tiredness resolves. If you’re still feeling fatigued, don’t give up hope. There are many different medications, lifestyle changes, and therapies that can help treat depression. Keeping in close touch with your healthcare team can help you find the combination of treatments and the right dosage that minimizes your symptoms with the fewest side effects.