I just started on Lexapro 5 days ago. The doctor prescribed 10mg but told me to break it in half and take 5mg for the first week. She told me I could take it in the morning, but that it might make me feel tired and if it did I could just take it at night. So I actually just began by taking it at night since I didn't want to feel sleepy at work. I'm also taking Vyvanse for ADHD, but I've been taking that for years. My question is how long until I start to feel better? I'm feeling anxious and worried pretty much all the time, but I notice it gets especially bad in the afternoons and evenings. By around 2:30pm every day it gets so bad all I want to do is go home and lay in bed. My relationships are suffering and I really just want to feel normal. I'm trying to be patient and give it time to work (I know it can take up to six weeks to be fully effective). I just wanted to hear from someone who had been there and maybe could give me some advice. I know what works for some people may not work for others. Help?
How long until Lexapro starts to make me feel better?
Question posted by dc0311 on 22 Oct 2013
Last updated on 14 March 2025
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
59 Answers Page 4
I take ativan to help the lexapro until it kicks in
When you are ready, please wean off the Ativan. How much are you taking and for how long?
I have ADHD too- I take Dexedrine Spansule (extended release) in the am. My anxiety (and anger) got horrible in afternoons too but I started to take regular Dexedrine at around 2:30/3:30 to go through the evening- much better.
Well, at least you are taking an effective antidepressant, with no side effects. I have been taking Lexapro for about 20 years now, and although my Doctor suggests other AD's but I always go back to Lexapro.
Take it at bedtime, so you don't get drowsy during the day.
It takes about 2 weeks for full effect. It's a great Antidepressant, and your doctor made the right decision. I haven't had an Anxiety attack for 20 yeras, and I am very happy with it.
Remember, no matter what the bottle says, take it at night. It's a great med for sleeping.
Good Luck
In 2005 Dr. Prescribed lexapro to me, same as everyone, started at 5mg and up to 20mg I had really bad episodes of panic attacks and anxiety. It helped me a lot. I was taking it for 3 years, and everything was perfect. I stopped taking it 2009 and didn't need it at all. I was doing just fine without it. But recently, in the past few months I've been experiencing shortness of breath and panic attacks and anxiety. I think it is work related. Now I've been taking it again for the past 3 weeks but I
Don't feel it's helping me the way it did first time. I'm now taking 15mg. Any advise?
As I have written, I am very happy with Lexapro. However, I am also taking Clonopin (2mg, 3 times a day), and Seroquel (1 at bedtime). I suffer from Severe Anxiety Disorder, along with Severe Depressive Disorder and PTSD.
You need to see a Doctor who is well versed in Anxiety. Since I have added the Seroquel, and especially the Clonipin, I haven't suffered any panic attacks, or any severe Anxiety at all.
It is a great combination of meds. I haven't had any Anxiety in 3 years.
There are many doctors that do not like when the patients tell them what to prescribe, so you are going to have to say something like "my friend suffers similar Anxiety, as I do. Do you think that Clonopin will help me?"
If you don't say it like that, the doctor may get angry if he thinks you are "self prescribing", so make sure he doesn't get angry. I promise that if you are put on Clonopin ( and to a lesser extent, Seroquel), all of you're Anxiety will "be history".
You will be fine, if you can get your Doctor to prescribe the proper meds. And if I were you, I would stay on the Lexapro, as it works well, and doesn't have any side effects in my experience. Some Anti-Depressants have terrible side effects. Believe me, I have tried others, but the side effects are not worth taking the drug. I always go back to Lexapro.
Keep me updated on your problem, and ask away if you have any questions.
DrDavid
Thank you for responding. I did see my doctor today, and he told me to start taking 20mg and that I should see a difference in the next two weeks. He also prescribed Ativan at 5mg. He said only to take the Ativan when I feel a panic coming on. Not to take it regularly since it is a addictive drug.
Hi Ali, I too had been taking Lexapro for several years (10mg) and decided to get off by trying herbal methods, which dont seem to work. Now I I am back on Lexapro after being off for 2 months. I am now going on week 3 of 10mgs and I too feel like its not working as it did in the past. Did you over come this and did switching to 20mgs help? Please let me know. Thanks and I hope you are feeling better by now! :)
gsed, after trying it for few weeks, Dr. upped my dose to 25mg and now on 30mg. I know that maximum dosage is 20 but he said for some 20 is not enough and it is a safe drug to take up to 30mg. So I've been taking it now for about a month at 30mg and thank god all of my symptoms of anxiety and constant panic is gone.
I've been on Effexor 150 mgs 2 times a day plus 2 Ativan to sleep. Due to my panic attacks
my dr prescribed Klonopin . I immediately felt relief but could not continue due to side effects.
Now she prescribed Lexapro... in addition to the Effexor to be taken at bedtime... Hope it helps... I am going through a terrible personal time so I cannot make up my mind what to do with my entire life thus my anxiety does not help...
I have been on Lexapro over 2 months. I felt first pill. I got very tired. I stayed on it. I love it. For me worth side effects. But thought making me gain weight. So started Prozac. Back to grumpy angry person. I learned. I called doctor 4 times. Can't wait to go back to Lexapro. It changed my life.
No one can tell you
When I took Lexapro it took 4 weeks to finally kick in making me feel like myself again. However , I think it's a personal deal. what works for me is not necessarily what will work for you. Do you know that if you feel you aren't feeling better / or the same after taking a few dosages of Lexapro you may ask your Dr. to change meds? My Dr. always used to get samples from his pharmaceutical sales guy so he would give me those to try before I paid for a prescription... Whatever you decide though you do have to be patient and let the meds work if they are going to. they will anywhere between 2-4 weeks I've been told.
I've been on it almost six weeks now and still have depression. I'm just wondering when it's going to take effect. I had gone off it completely due to sexual side effects and I heard that makes it take longer. Anyone have experience with that?
I have anxiety disorder, PTSD, and severe depressive disorder.
I also take Lexapro (20 mgs) for the depression. I take it at night, because it definitely makes me tired. I take Klonopin (2mgs), 3 times a day for the Anxiety,
And I take Seroquel for the PTSD (at night, as well, because that REALLY makes you sleepy.
The Lexapro seems to work very well. I have not had a panic attack (but that's from the Klonopin), and I don't feel depressed at all, thanks to the Lexapro. I have tried other antidepressants, but nothing seems to work for me as well as the Lexapro. If I were you, I would take the Lexapro at bedtime.
I take the same meds as you. I was recently switched from Celexa for depression ( which I had been a few years) to Lexapro 30mgs. I also take 1mg Klonopin for anxiety 3-4 times a day (the 4th only if I felt I needed it.) I have been feeling more anxiety since switching and need the 4th doseage. I take Seroquel for sleeping at night. I have PTSD as well. I know the post above is two years old, but it's been a couple days now and I feel a lot more anxiety than usual . Should I wait awhile, stick it out and see what happens? or should I call my dr. ?
You should see your Doctor. There is no reason for you to suffer any anxiety.
Anxiety is an illness that affects our whole brain in a negative way. Go to the Doc, and make sure that you get something that will stop it.
Maybe 2mg's of Klonapin 3 times a day would be more helpful.
Thank you for your quick reply and advice. Unfortunately, I have other physical health issues and take quite a few medications for them. I go to several drs. and specialists. They always want to cut down on the amount of my medication, which I can understand. But my Psych dr. who does just my meds. (I have a diff. therapist closer to home, I see on a reg. basis) wanted to start first cutting me down on my Klonopin! (This was a couple months ago before the Lexapro switch). I don't think he will go any higher on Klonopin...
I've been taking 10 mg Lexapro once a day and 1 mg xanex twice a day. The anxiety is better, but depression is still bad as ever. I've been on these for months. Maybe I need a stronger side of Lexapro ?
I was on the same regime of meds also and gained 100 lbs. Have you had problems with weight?
in my opinion the anxiety is a direct result of the vyvnase. it is too strong a drug and causes emotional problems as it wares off.
I have been on cipralex for three weeks and feel terrible. Dr wants me to start on Zoloft next week. So scared I will feel really anxious again
Shegan, My daughter likes Zoloft much better than Celexa or Lexapro. She feels Zoloft had fewer side effects. She hardly knows she takes it, except it makes her sleepy, so she takes it at night.
I have been on adderall since I was in middle school and at first it was great but the past year or so the medication has caused me severe anxiety and depression. Everytime I take it I want to drink later in the evening when I feel I'm crawling out of my skin. I'm going to have to just find something else for adhd. Bc without stimulants I virtually have no anxiety or depression.
It has so much more side affects and I also was on Effexor before that. Talk about side affects that made me want to die. The worst part I got the rapid heartbeats on both that woke me up and lopressor is a beta blocker and did nothing. And unwanted weight gain, and I didn’t get any of the good affects. It may be different for you. Now I’m on Lexapro and couldn’t be happier.
Agreed Vyvanse is like a speed and will increase anxiety and keep you awake.
I relate to so much of what you said. My anxiety is HORRIFIC in the afternoon, I've recently cut off caffeine which seems to help a little. I've been on a lot of medications for anxiety, and lexapro seems to help the most. I did stop taking it and just recently got back on it, and already I see the difference after not taking it long at all. I was on 40 mg at one point, but now I'm just trying 10 mg. There's moments every single day I want to give up and just quit my job and I feel like I'm better off being dead then dealing with this mental illness, but I get through the panic attacks everytime and I'm still here. There must be a reason for that.
I had been on Celexa for many years when it quit working. I plunged into anxiety and depression. I was given Lexapro 20 mg and have taken it for 5 days. Since I was still on Celexsa i was wondering how long it will be until I can fell relief from the anxiety and depression?
I have had severe anxiety and depression for most of my life. Was taking citalopram but now I'm on lexapro and have been for 3 days. Days 1 and 2 I was taking 10mg nightly and just last night increased the dose to 20mg. Less anxious already and have high hopes of feeling better still. Has anyone else changed from citalopram to lexapro? If so would love to know how you are getting on.
Hi. I was on Celexa for a long time for my anxiety which helped and my anxiety has been in control for a long time, but occasionally have flare ups and that's when I need to take 20mg of celexa. I've been having bouts of anxiety for the last 4 weeks or so and I asked my doctor about lexapro and he said it's an improved version of celexa so I asked if I can use it and taper out Celexa and he was fine with it. I used 10mg the first week and then doubled it the second week. It's been 3 weeks since I started on lexapro and moved away from celexa. I still have bouts of anxiety thorughout the day but tapers off at night usually. I'm still waiting patiently that it will fully take effect soon. How has it been for you?
I was on Celexa for a few months and don't like the way I feel so I just started 1/2 of 5 mg for one week and then going up to 5 mg the following week. I'm being weaned of of celexa. I feel like my head is numb all the time
I was just changed from Celexa to Lexapro. I just started taking it for 3 days and I have such anxiety. I can't take the symptoms anymore. When should the Lexapro start working?
I just switched from Celexa (3years) to Lexapro as well I'm on my 3rd day 10mg. I go up to 20mg after a week. I'm having worse anxiety now though. Anyone know when it should start helping.
Hi my doctor has me on .50mg of Xanax which really helps but he wanted me to take 10mg of Paxil.Im very sensitive to everything so I cut it into 4 pieces so I took 2.5mg of Paxil and during the 3 hour I had the WORST panic attack I have ever had in my life.I had to make myself puke and take a Xanax and for 3 days I haven't been able to eat much and when I stand I feel hot and dizzy if I don't lay down I will pass out.Is this normal
I almost feel like your post was written by me.
OP I know the drill, sort of. I was diagnosed with ADHD recently and am taking concerta and lexapro. I never knew Lexapro makes you sleepy though. This whole time I've been drinking coffee to make me feel awake enough to go to class. I start getting kind of panicky and nauseous though. I've started to pick my skin in the afternoons because I get so anxious once I get home and have nothing to distract me. I have ugly scars on my face now, and I bite my nails & they're so short sometimes I can't do dishes or hold a pencil... Anyway... I think I'll stop drinking coffee and take Lexapro at night so I don't feel tired at school.
you poor thing, if youre stull in school
u must be so young to have such suffering, i didnt get my illness until
i had children (22yrs old) you are so strong and u keep ur head high
Hi dc0311. I'm responding one year after your post, so hopefully you are better on Lexapro or have moved on to an RX that is a better fit. Actually, I never reply or post on these boards, but wanted you thank you for the detailed acct of feelings/symptoms that you were experiencing at the time you began taking Lexapro. These are EXACTLY my symptoms. I can now more accurately describe to my Dr. (I actually laughed thinking we must be related... well, at least by the DSM-IV). Thanks again.
dco311 and mcrt and J S, I too have never taken the time to post anything on boards like this. Thank you for speaking about your symptoms, I have the EXACT symptoms too! I mean to the 'T' the same, I think people are mad at me or don't like me. I think my fiance' wants to leave me... I thought I was losing my mind. I take Adderall for ADD and Lexapro, I can tell if I don't take the Lexapro, the anxiety comes through, terrible. I always thought it was due to my ADD, after being on Lexapro and reading what I have seen here, I realize I'm not alone and I will need the Lexapro for a lot longer than I thought. I am a female 35-40. Thank you! Thank you!
I don't actually have a good answer for you. But your situation is so similar to what my daughter is going through I felt compelled to share what I know. She is also just starting lexapro at the half dose. she has taken Vyvanse for years for adhd, but she really struggles with time management, perfectionism, and anxiety. I did not want her to take antidepressants, but she is becoming so overwhelmed that we decided to try. The Dr first prescribed Zoloft but we changed within 2 weeks because it made her so tired. She is now beginning lexapro and I hope we see improvement soon.
AI started taking escitalopram 10mg (lexapro) about 10 days ago and I am starting to feel a lot better. But the doctor said he would not prescribe Xanax withit. Because he said this will help with the anxiety. So if you need immediate relief this won't provide that. It will start to help in 10 to 14 days. Hang in there I know it's hard
Xanax actually helps alot until the Lexapro gets in your system, it also works fast if you take it when the panic attacks start. I have been suffering for years and this combination works wonders for me
My Dr prescribed Xanax when I started on lexapro 3 days ago for anxiety. Told me to take them until the lexapro kicks in approx 2weeks. I had 1 Xanax the same day but haven't felt like them since. Hope you feel better soon
I started taking lexapro 10 days ago. Started with 1/2 a pill I felt very tired and anxious for the first 7 days. Now I’m taking 10 ml I’m feeling a little less anxious I’m getting my appetite back, but having a hard staying a sleep. I also take Xanax. Which has helped a lot to take the edge off.
I am so sad for the geralized anxiety disorder. I saw reviews on 'drugs. Com, about Laxopro and decided to take Laxopro 10 mg without Dr advice for ,Sun 17Dec2017,I will tell How much is effected it in nest comment after few days. Please give me advice for GAD on my gmail
Im 24 just recently started getting anxiety and SEVERE panick attacks my dr just started me on 10mg lexapro 3 days ago im literally in a constant state of panick and anxiety anything i can do to help this!!!
Don't worry after two weeks you will see the difference,it's very effective specially for the first time.
I’ve been on it for 12 days does anxiety increase before decrease ?
I started Lexapro (5mg) 8 days ago. My anxiety and edginess seems to have increased. Is this normal? Don't know whether I should stop taking Lexapro, or increasing the dose (to 10mg?). My psychiatrist has not gotten back to me (very frustrating). I asked my psych whether to take Klonopin or Xanax while the Lexapro is (supposedly) kicking in. The psych doesn't want me to take benzos because they may cause falls. I am a moderate user of alcohol (1-2 glasses of wine with dinner). Any advice or suggestions are most welcome.
I've been taking Lexapro for a number of days also.I feel the dose might need to be upped just a little. I felt it working almost immediately on my panic attacks,keeping them at bay.But the anxious feeling was still there. So maybe a little adjusting to the dose will make a world of difference. Hope so! :)
Yeah, I'm thinking once I'm finished taking the 5mg in a few days and can take the whole 10mg I might feel better. I know exactly what you mean about the anxious feeling. Hope you get to feeling better soon!
Thank you :)
Did it ever work out for you??
You will be able to increase it soon. This may help. Does it make you tired? If not maybe taking it earlier in the day would help. Ask the dr for something like xanax short term until the lexapro is working. Have you told him everything about your anxiety? I'm just wondering if he knows how bad it is for you.
The doctor has asked me if I wanted to try anxiety medication for a while. I told her I have irrational fears and I worry, feel anxious sometimes. But I thought it was tied to my ADHD, that feeling behind or unable to get things done, that things were piling up was the issue. I told her that. But last time she wrote me the prescription for Lexapro and said I could fill it if I felt I needed to. So I started to wonder if the anxiety thing was more than just the ADHD. I don't know that it is. Even when I take care of the thing that I'm worrying about, check everything off the list, I find something else to take its place. And sometimes I get really worked up and anxious over something without a valid reason. Like I worry about my relationships, about people being mad at me or leaving me, being alone. There's literally NO reason for this. Like the people around me haven't done anything to make this a valid emotional response. It's just weird and I hate it.
I also worry about being a failure, or being unable to meet financial obligations even though I have a secure job and everything is ok. I just don't think it's normal to feel this way for long periods of time without a reason.
I've been told if you had nothing to worry about, you'd worry about the fact that you have nothing to worry about. So I do understand. Talk therapy might help you too.
When some one has ADHD they are more likely to have another condition which is linked. ADHD is also linked with anxiety,depression or OCD
I worry about all the same things too. I just found out I have anxiety which it runs in my family and mines to the extreme point right now. The other day I thought and convinced myself my boyfriend was going to leave me because how angry my anxiety makes me when I begin to panic. I kept asking if he was going to of course he said no. I was so covinced I called my sister and asked her several times if she thought he was going to dump me lol. She texted him and told him she really does think I have anxiety and for him to calm me down. I also ask so many questions that every things I say is a question. I've been on lexapro for two days now and today my bf told me something he has to do 2morro on Friday (Friday is our hangout day) and I got upset but I didn't get super angry like I have been lately. And my heart didn't start racing when I was upset I felt calm and just told him that my feelings were hurt.
I have suffered from anxiety, major depressive disorder with psychosis and PTSD with nightmares for many years now. I had refused to accept that I had problems and needed some serious help. My life was a total wreck, no friends or family would be around me and my 4 grown children refuse to speak to me. My husband of 10 years was the only one to stick with me. Thank God that he has. I have recently started taking meds and going to therapy. I am taking Neurontin for anxiety and am very pleased with the outcome. I have gone from being a recluse to being able to go places again. This medication along with Lexapro for depression has given me my life back! I highly recommend trying Neurontin if nothing else has worked. I noticed a huge difference a week after starting Neurontin.
Related topics
lexapro, depression, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, doctor, prescription
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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