Escitalopram how long until it works

The liquid should be measured with a dosing spoon or oral syringe which you can get from your pharmacy. Consider using a calendar, pillbox, alarm clock, or cell phone alert to help you remember to take your medication.

You may also ask a family member or friend to remind you or check in with you to be sure you are taking your medication. If you miss a dose of escitalopram, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is closer to the time of your next dose. Discuss this with your health care provider. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed.

Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking antidepressant medications. They may decrease the benefits e. If an overdose occurs, call your doctor or You may need urgent medical care.

You may also contact the poison control center at Headache, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, increased sweating, feeling nervous, restless, fatigue, or having trouble sleeping insomnia. These will often improve over the first week or two as you continue to take the medication. Sexual side effects, such as problems with orgasm or ejaculatory delay often do not diminish over time. Low sodium blood levels symptoms of low sodium levels may include headache, weakness, difficulty concentrating and remembering , teeth grinding, angle closure glaucoma symptoms of angle closure glaucoma may include eye pain, changes in vision, swelling or redness in or around eye , serotonin syndrome symptoms may include shivering, diarrhea, confusion, severe muscle tightness, fever, seizures, and death , seizure.

SSRI antidepressants including escitalopram may increase the risk of bleeding events. Combined use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs e. This may include symptoms such as gums that bleed more easily, nose bleed, or gastrointestinal bleeding. Some cases have been life threatening. To date, there are no known problems associated with long term use of escitalopram. It is a safe and effective medication when used as directed.

Escitalopram should not be taken with or within 2 weeks of taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs. Escitalopram may increase the effects of other medications that can cause bleeding e. Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first weeks.

Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to weeks to fully improve. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide.

This risk may persist until significant remission occurs. In short-term studies, antidepressants increased the risk of suicidality in children, adolescents, and young adults when compared to placebo.

Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age Adults age 65 and older taking antidepressants have a decreased risk of suicidality. Patients, their families, and caregivers should be alert to the emergence of anxiety, restlessness, irritability, aggressiveness and insomnia. All patients being treated with antidepressants for any indication should watch for and notify their health care provider for worsening symptoms, suicidality and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment.

Check your prescription and talk to your doctor to make sure you are taking the right dose for you. While there are not specific modified dose recommendations for Lexapro, the medication should be take with caution if you are older or have a major medical illness that affects your metabolism, such as kidney or liver disease.

If this is the case, your health care provider may adjust your dose as necessary to reduce any related side effects. Follow your doctor's instructions for taking Lexapro. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about this medication. It's important to recognize that you will not experience immediate relief from taking Lexapro.

It can take anywhere from one to four weeks to feel better once you start taking Lexapro, and you may not experience the full benefits of the medication until you've been following a recommended treatment plan for a couple of months.

As your body adjusts to taking the medication, the side effects should gradually go away. If you notice that they are getting worse or are interfering with your quality of life, talk to your doctor about your concerns. Side effects can be minimized by carefully following the dosage directions given by your doctor and reporting any negative effects.

The most common side effects are:. Seek immediate help if you experience any of the following unusual side effects of Lexapro:. Caution should be used when taking Lexapro along with other medications.

To help avoid any possible drug interactions, let your doctor know about any other prescription and over-the-counter medications you are currently taking. When taking Lexapro, the following serotonergic medications should not be used or only be used with significant caution and close monitoring due to the increased risk of serotonin syndrome:. Avoid drinking alcohol when you are taking Lexapro, as it can reduce the effectiveness of the medication and also may increase its toxicity.

If Lexapro is not effective for you, your doctor will work to find another medication that may help, such as another SSRI or a different class of antidepressant medication. You may also find psychotherapy helpful if that has not already been implemented.

You should only discontinue taking Lexapro under the guidance of your doctor at an appropriate time such as when symptoms have been stable for a certain period. Your doctor will help you to taper off the medication, so as to minimize any withdrawal effects. If you stop taking it suddenly, you may notice withdrawal symptoms, including:.

This overview of the use of Lexapro for mental health conditions does not cover every possible outcome of taking this medication. If you have been prescribed this medication by your doctor, be sure to follow the instructions carefully. If you have additional questions, they are best answered by a medical professional.

Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Santarsieri D, Schwartz TL. Antidepressant efficacy and side-effect burden: A quick guide for clinicians.

Drugs Context. Food and Drug Administration. Lexapro label. Updated January National Alliance on Mental Illness. Escitalopram Lexapro. Updated December Yasui-Furukori N, Hashimoto K, et al. Characteristics of escitalopram discontinuation syndrome: a preliminary study.

Clin Neuropharmacol. Efficacy of escitalopram in the treatment of social anxiety disorder: A meta-analysis versus placebo. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. Long-term use of escitalopram and a high level of carcinoembryonic antigen.

Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects. Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention. Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:.

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:. Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication. Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health.

These factors may affect how you should use this medication. Abnormal heart rhythm: Escitalopram may cause an abnormal heart rhythm, especially at higher doses. Your doctor may occasionally monitor your heart rate and rhythm with a test called an electrocardiogram.

People with a history of a heart rhythm disturbance called QT prolongation should not take this medication. If you have congestive heart failure, have slow heart rhythm, are at risk of low potassium or magnesium levels because of certain illnesses or medications, or are taking certain medications that can affect the heart rhythm e. Bleeding disorders: Other medications from the same class as escitalopram may cause bleeding disorders.

Report any unusual bruising or bleeding to your doctor, especially if you are taking medications that affect platelets special blood cells that help the blood to clot. Bone health: Studies have shown that there is an increased risk of bone fractures with the use of medications similar to escitalopram. If you have osteoporosis, or are at risk of developing osteoporosis, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Diabetes: If you have diabetes, your doctor should closely monitor your condition while you are taking escitalopram, as it may affect blood sugar control either increase or decrease blood sugar levels. Glaucoma: This medication may cause the symptoms of glaucoma increased pressure in the eye to become worse. If you have glaucoma, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Report any changes in vision to your doctor as soon as possible while you are taking this medication. Kidney function: If you have severely reduced kidney function, your doctor should closely monitor your condition while you are taking this medication.

Liver function: Decreased liver function or liver disease may cause escitalopram to build up in the body, causing increased side effects. If you have reduced liver function, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Mania: Escitalopram may cause activation of mania. This means that people who are prone to mania may be more likely to have their mania start up again.

If you have a history of mania or bipolar disorder, your doctor should closely monitor your condition while you are taking this medication. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome NMS : Escitalopram, like other similar medications that act on serotonin, can cause a potentially fatal syndrome known as neuroleptic malignant syndrome NMS. If you notice the symptoms of NMS such as high fever, muscle stiffness, confusion or loss of consciousness, sweating, racing or irregular heartbeat, or fainting, get immediate medical attention.

Seizures: If you have a history of seizures, your doctor should closely monitor your condition while you are taking escitalopram.

If you develop seizures, stop taking the medication and contact your doctor. Serotonin syndrome: Severe reactions are possible when escitalopram is combined with other medications that act on serotonin, such as tricyclic antidepressants and "triptan" migraine medications.

Symptoms of a reaction may include muscle rigidity and spasms, difficulty moving, changes in mental state including delirium and agitation. Coma and death are possible. Stopping the medication: Escitalopram should not be stopped abruptly due to the risk of discontinuation symptoms dizziness, abnormal dreams, numbness, electric shock feelings, agitation, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, headache, tremor, nausea, vomiting, and sweating.

A gradual reduction in dose over a period of time is recommended.