Is there a recommended time of the day to take it. I take it 10 mg at 7:30 p.m. but wake up with anxiety and nausea. I was on brintellix but really didn't do anything for me.
Today is day two of me taking Lexapro. I feel more anxiety and sick to my stomach?
Question posted by Guavaes on 6 June 2016
Last updated on 9 July 2018 by nthieret
4 Answers
nthieret
9 July 2018
If you have diarrhea or are sick to your stomach with escitalopram I have a few tricks
1. do not eat before taking. take on empty stomach
2. ginger ale to calm
3. crystallized ginger to snack on.
Two days ago was agony. Now is is all gone.
Enriko
21 June 2016
I take 5mg of Lexapro at 10am and am tired - BUT I posed the question to my doc. and she said it didn't matter what time it's taken.
Personally what I think makes me very tired is the Ativan taken (as needed) to combat the initial anxiety of starting up on Lexapro I'm at day 13.
SLMRDC
21 June 2016
We're all different. Some people can take it during the day & others like me cannot. Time of day for taking Lexapro deffs made a difference for me. I have to take it in the evening at around 9 pm ... it zonks me if I take it during the day. I felt the sedation set in within 3 hrs when I took it during the day. Ativan can be very sedating... it is often used as a sleep aid... how much Ativan do you take during the day? Ativan plus Lexapro would knock me out if I took both in the daytime. I take Clonazepam before bed to help get to sleep.
Enriko
21 June 2016
Hi SLMRDC -
When I first started Lexapro I took 1mg Ativan in the morning and 1mg at night. Now that I'm in the 14th day I have been instructed to take it "as needed", which has been anywhere from 1mg twice a day (which is no change) to .5mg a day. To your point that Lex. and Ativan would knock you out I do notice that i am tired, haven't exercised since starting Lex. (which is a big deal to me) and that my eyes sting a little like when a person is real tired. I will address these concerns at my next doc. appointment friday.
SLMRDC
21 June 2016
Good that you are seeing your Doctor Enriko. Hope you can get some help. It sucks feeling that way & I understand needing exercise! It really helps to combat anxiety
SLMRDC
6 June 2016
Hi Guavaes,
I found 10 mg too much for me start on due to nausea & anxiety too. I broke the 10 mg pill in half & started on 5 mg. The 5 mg for a week to 10 days will help you adjust more gradually & will help the nausea & anxiety. I found taking it a couple of hours before bed was best as it made me too sleepy during the day. It will be okay. Just give it time. Goid luck!
Guavaes
6 June 2016
I will try cutting it in half starting tonight. Thank you. @SLMRDC
SLMRDC
6 June 2016
Good! I sure hope that helps. Let us know?
cherrrub
6 June 2016
Are you starting on 10mg?? This is a very high dose to start on! It's probably best to start on 5mg, then gradually build up.
Guavaes
6 June 2016
I'll give that a try. I will break that in half to start. Thank you. @cherrrub
Related topics
lexapro, anxiety, nausea/vomiting, stomach, brintellix
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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