How long it will take for Lexapro to have positive psychological effect?
Question posted by Rondagan on 9 May 2021
Last updated on 20 August 2022 by Wiley111
I am on Lexapro for about two weeks now. First week was on 5 mg and second week I increased to 10 mg following Doctor advice.
So far my main concerns are lack of sleep and reduced sex drive. I feel more calm and cope better with life, however I am still depressed and unhappy. When will I feel the positive difference? It is very difficult to get a good night sleep. I always wake up at the middle of the night and find myself awake we for two hours. Also the quality of my sleep is deeply compromised. I am a 48 years old man. Did anyone experienced this?
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Answers
WI
Wiley111
20 Aug 2022
Lack of sleep is one of the major contributors to depression. If you're not sleeping, you can't heal. You need to find a way to sleep before you can expect any improvement. In my particular case, anxiety was preventing me from sleeping. Once I started on clonazepam 0.50, I began sleeping 6 to 8 hours through the night and Lexapro began doing its job. Now I'm worried about developing a dependence on clonazepam. At some point I will taper down to 0.25 or switch to Trazodone because it is less additive.
Votes: +1
MA
masso
9 May 2021
I was on Lexapro 20mgs once a day for one year. This antidepressant is quite good, it may take 4 to 6 weeks for it to reach full therapeutic level, once it does you will feel the benefits of this SSRI. Every antidepressant does have sexual side effects in most people this side effect works itself out and subsides within 2 weeks, everyone reacts differently to medications, in my case it did not subside, so after a year I discontinued it. Again, in my case once it reached its full therapeutic level I felt great, so hang in there. With regards to the side effects affecting you , contact your DR., perhaps he/she can help you with a sleeping aid and also help you with the sexual side effect.
