Can you take Lexapro twice a day?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Can you take Lexapro twice a day?
You can take Lexapro twice a day as long as you don’t exceed your doctor’s recommended dose. Lexapro is generally prescribed for once-daily administration – preferably morning – and that works for the majority of people.
However, you should apprise your doctor about this and ask if you can divide your daily dose and take it at different times. Doing so does not really benefit people because of the side effects.
Lexapro is known for causing insomnia and sexual side effects – which is why most doctors recommend taking this antidepressant early in the morning (1). This way, the intensity of the side effects reduces by the night as the concentration of Lexapro drops in your body.
If you divide your dose and take the second one in the evening or at night, you will experience insomnia and sexual side effects more prominently.
This can cause frustration and mood disturbances in people, and getting inadequate sleep can cause fatigue and low productivity the next day. This is why it’s best to take Lexapro once daily (1).
However, if these side effects do not concern you and you wish to divide your dose, talk to your healthcare provider. It is also important to make sure that you don’t take the prescribed per day Lexapro dose twice, as it can result in an overdose (2,3).
How to ensure the safe and effective use of Lexapro?
To ensure the safe and effective use of Lexapro, consider the following points (1,4):
Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions
Take Lexapro exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the recommended dosage and frequency, and do not exceed or decrease the prescribed amount without consulting your healthcare provider.
Keep your doctor informed about your progress, any changes in symptoms, or any side effects you may experience.
Properly attending follow-up appointments allows your healthcare provider to assess your response to Lexapro and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.
Be patient
It may take a few weeks for Lexapro to start working and for you to experience its full benefits. Stick to your treatment plan and continue taking the medication as directed, even if you don’t notice immediate changes. Give it time to take effect.
Avoid sudden discontinuation
If you decide to stop taking Lexapro, consult your doctor first. Abruptly discontinuing the medication can lead to withdrawal symptoms or a worsening of your condition. Your doctor will provide guidance on how to gradually reduce the dosage to safely discontinue the medication if necessary.
Inform your healthcare provider about other medications
Let your doctor know about any other medications, supplements, or herbal remedies you are taking. Some medications may interact with Lexapro, potentially affecting its effectiveness or causing adverse effects.
Be cautious with alcohol
It’s generally recommended to limit or avoid alcohol while taking Lexapro. Alcohol can intensify certain side effects and may interfere with the medication’s effectiveness. Talk to your healthcare provider about any specific concerns related to alcohol consumption.
Report any unusual symptoms
If you experience any new or worsening symptoms, such as increased anxiety, suicidal thoughts, sleep disturbances, or changes in mood or behaviour, notify your doctor immediately. These could be potential side effects that require attention.
Final words
To sum up, you can take your Lexapro twice by splitting your once-daily dose if your doctor approves of this idea. Antidepressants like Lexapro should be taken properly to make the most out of them.
This is why you should never make any changes to the prescribed dose on your own. If you are concerned about your current dose or timing of Lexapro, please discuss it with your healthcare provider.
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References
1.-
Landy K, Rosani A, Estevez R. Escitalopram. 2022 Oct 24. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32491666. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557734
2.-
Barbey JT, Roose SP. SSRI safety in overdose. J Clin Psychiatry. 1998;59 Suppl 15:42-8. PMID: 9786310. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9786310/
3.-
Isbister GK, Bowe SJ, Dawson A, Whyte IM. Relative toxicity of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in overdose. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 2004;42(3):277-85. doi: 10.1081/clt-120037428. PMID: 15362595. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15362595/
4.-
LABEL: LEXAPRO- escitalopram oxalate tablet, film-coated. DailyMed [Internet]. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=4a08b6cf-7ba0-54a9-14e0-a6e8d1e4854e&type=pdf
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