How long does Lexapro take to start working? 

In this brief article, we will answer how long it takes for Lexapro to start working and why, along with other considerations such as the factors that may influence the onset of the effect of this medication, what to do if the desired effects take an extended period to manifest and the adverse effects of Lexapro.

How long does Lexapro take to start working? 

Lexapro (Escitalopram) may take up to 1-4 weeks or longer to start working and managing your mental health condition(1). 

This is why it’s important to make sure that you don’t leave your treatment halfway and give your antidepressant enough time to take effect. Therefore, you should take this medication at least for a month before you expect anything from it. What factors can determine how long Lexapro takes to start working?

The onset of action for Lexapro may vary due to some factors, much like other medications. 

Individual differences in the metabolism of each person may impact how quickly the body processes and responds to the medication. 

Additionally, the prescribed dosage plays an important role, as higher dosages may yield faster results but also increase the likelihood of adverse effects. It is crucial to adhere to the prescribed dosage and refrain from adjusting it without medical guidance.

Furthermore, it’s important to be aware of potential drug interactions when using Lexapro alongside other medications. Such interactions can interfere with the medication’s effectiveness. 

Consulting with a healthcare professional is advised to ensure the safe and optimal use of Lexapro in combination with other medications.

Lexapro belongs to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors medications and may take some weeks to initiate its intended effects, as it gradually increases active serotonin levels in the brain (1,2).

Why does Lexapro take a long time to work? 

Lexapro is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that slowly increases the amount of active serotonin in your brain, which is an excitatory neurotransmitter responsible for modulating mood, cognition, reward, learning, memory, and various other psychological processes. It can also help you with flight or fight response.

This is why Lexapro takes time to take effect (2, 3). It is believed that one possible cause of depression is the deficiency of serotonin and that’s why SSRIs should improve depressive symptoms (3,4). 

Depression and other mental health illnesses usually progress slowly and you can’t expect your antidepressant to treat it overnight.

However, once Lexapro kicks in, it can manage the emotional symptoms of depression, like hopelessness, crying, etc and can manage symptoms associated with other mental health conditions it is approved to treat.

Lexapro can also be used off-label for some other conditions in certain individuals, such as PTSD, OCD, POTS (rare use), etc. It can also help with anxiety and depression associated with chronic conditions like fibromyalgia. It may also help chronic fatigue syndrome or adrenal fatigue in some cases.

What to do if Lexapro doesn’t work after 4-6 weeks?

If you don’t see a positive change in your symptoms after 4-6 weeks of taking Lexapro, reach out to your mental healthcare professional – but don’t stop taking the medication abruptly. 

Side effects of Lexapro: 

Lexapro may be associated with the following adverse effects (1):

• Loss of appetite 
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Sexual issues
• Difficulty in falling asleep
• Jitteriness
• Vertigo 
• Headache 
• Decreased salivation or dry mouth
• Sweating – which can lead to bad body odor
• Anxiety 
• Menstrual irregularities
• Acid reflux
• Nausea
• Forgetfulness
• Tremors
• Palpitations
• Weakness
• Sleepiness and fatigue
• Nightmares 
• Weight loss 
• muscle twitching
• Zoning out
• Erectile dysfunction
• Hair loss (rare)
• Acne (rare)
• blood pressure changes (rare)

If you suffer from any of the above-mentioned side effects, don’t worry! They are quite common and the majority of people go through them. The intensity, however, varies. Lexapro can also affect physical performance by affecting your energy levels.

These side effects usually begin to subside once your body adjusts to the antidepressant. This may take longer for some people. However, you can expect the side effects to fade away in 1-4 weeks (1). 

If your side effects persist or you begin to experience unusual or serious side effects of Lexapro- like an allergic reaction (itching, hives, burning sensations, mouth ulcers, swelling, tightness of chest, chest pain, etc), reach out to your healthcare provider as soon as you can. 

Some people may not do well on this antidepressant. If you’re one of such people, your doctor will likely switch you to another antidepressant. Lexapro can be switched to other SSRIs, like Zoloft, Prozac, etc or to SNRIs, like Cymbalta, Pristiq, etc.

Make sure you don’t take such matters into your own hands and consult your doctor for the best possible way to switch your medication, if necessary. It is also important to take Lexapro properly. Do not cut or crush the medication without talking to your doctor first.

It is also important to note that Lexapro is contraindicated in some cases, such as people with bipolar disorder, glaucoma, severe anaemia (it is still not confirmed whether Lexapro and other SSRIs can affect iron levels), etc.

So, make sure you inform your doctor about the pre-existing diagnosed mental health conditions. It is also important to inform your doctor if you are taking any supplements, such as vitamin or mineral supplements, fatty acids, immuno-boosters, etc.

Conclusion

In this brief article, we have answered how long it takes for Lexapro to start working and why, along with other considerations such as the factors that may influence the onset of the effect of this medication, what to do if the desired effects take an extended period to manifest and the adverse effects of Lexapro.

References