Have you started taking Lexapro recently? It is common for new users to be worried about the possible benefits or side effects that come along with taking medicine.
So, are you asking what to expect if you are on Lexapro week 3?
Week 3 with Lexapro may improve your mental well-being if your body adjusts to the medicine. In contrast, one may experience a myriad of side effects from taking Lexapro. Dizziness, dry mouth, tiredness, and altered appetite are a few to mention. The article below discusses whether these symptoms are worrisome.
Continue reading to help you resolve your worries.
Lexapro can result in a number of rough side effects at first. The side effects usually subside after a while. It may take 2-3 weeks or as much as 4-6 weeks for the side effects to wane off.
Table of Content
Lexapro: A Brief Discussion
Lexapro is an FDA-approved medicine used to treat depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and some other psychological issues.
Escitalopram is the active ingredient of this medicine.
It is a commonly prescribed antidepressant that falls under a class of drugs termed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). In addition to depression and anxiety disorders, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may treat other conditions such as-
- obsessive-compulsive disorder
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- eating disorders
- bipolar disorder
- panic disorder
SSRIs can reduce the reabsorption ability of the cells producing the happy chemical serotonin. This way, serotonin can stay longer in our brain, leading to a relaxed and happy mood.
Moreover, serotonin in the brain can keep away depression and act as a natural mood stabilizer.
Lexapro Week 3: What to Expect!
Most often, patients report a boost in their energy levels and well-being after taking Lexapro. However, like with other medications, different patients may respond differently to it.
You may start to feel well right after taking Lexapro, or you may take a couple of weeks to experience the benefits of the medicine.
Lexapro can result in a number of rough side effects at first. The side effects usually subside after a while. It may take 2-3 weeks or as much as 4-6 weeks for the side effects to wane off.
It is essential to be in touch with your doctor while you are on Lexapro. If you feel that the medicine is not improving your condition, inform your doctor. Your doctor may change the medication or alter your dose.
Lexapro: Feeling Better?
So, have you been on Lexapro for about 3 weeks now? Are you already starting to feel better after going through some rough side effects?
Many patients start feeling well in their 3rd week of taking Lexapro.
As soon as your body adjusts to Lexapro, you will gradually feel less nervous or anxious than before. You will slowly get back the usual zeal and motive you previously had. Lexapro can help people get back to their everyday lives by assisting them to come out of their depressive thoughts and feelings.
It is essential to take the prescribed dose of your medicine even after you start feeling better. Also, it is vital to keep in mind that increasing your dosage will not help you recover faster.
Sudden withdrawal or increase in dosage can worsen your symptoms or lead to life-threatening conditions.
Lexapro: Side Effects
Are you on your 3rd week of taking Lexapro? Going through a painful time because of the various side effects?
The side effects of Lexapro and other antidepressants may give a hard time to many. So are you worried whether the side effects you are experiencing are normal? Or what kind of side effects are indeed worrisome?
A few side effects of Lexapro are-
- dry mouth
- nausea
- constipation
- tiredness
- headache
- dizziness
- profuse sweating
- sleeplessness
- loss of appetite
It is alright to experience these side effects when taking Lexapro as long as the symptoms are not persistent. Patients start feeling better around a matter of weeks if they stick to their prescription instructions. It is always preferable to inform your doctor of all the side effects you experience.
Lexapro: Serious Side Effects
Lexapro may not be the right medicine for all patients. You should consult with your doctor if you experience symptoms of severe allergy such as-
- skin rash
- swelling of face
- swelling of tongue, lips, and throat
- difficulty to breath
- tightness in the chest
- joint pain
Apart from allergic reactions, Lexapro may cause changes in your mood and behavior. You might feel anxious, restless, edgy, aggressive, or reckless when you start to take Lexapro. You may experience panic attacks, anxiety attacks in the middle of the night, or have suicidal thoughts. Inform your physician if you are experiencing these mood alterations.
Lexapro is comparatively more effective and causes fewer side effects than other antidepressants. Serious side effects from taking Lexapro are uncommon. It may be due to different factors, including sudden withdrawal or overdose of the medication.
Lexapro: Serotonin Syndrome
Lexapro may cause Serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a severe condition and needs immediate medical attention. Some symptoms of this condition are-
- restlessness
- shivering
- sweating
- rapid heart rate
- hallucinations
- muscle stiffness
- muscle twitching
- loss of coordination
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- fever
Lexapro and other similar drugs can increase the serotonin levels in your body. Excess serotonin interferes with the normal processes of our body, leading to serotonin syndrome.
Serotonin syndrome can be treated with medications. However, it may cause life-threatening complications if not treated immediately. Visit your physician as soon as you observe symptoms of serotonin syndrome.
Lexapro Week 3: Feeling Better or Worse- What Is Normal?
Some patients may feel better on week 3 of taking Lexapro, whereas others start feeling worse. In most cases, the side effects of patients feeling worse tend to wane off within a few weeks at most.
So what decides whether you feel well or worse?
Two crucial factors that impact your experience of side effects are the dose of medication and frequency of administration. A high dosage can cause more severe side effects compared to a lower dosage.
Doctors commonly prescribe 10 mg of Lexapro per day in the beginning, to help patients gradually adjust to the medication. Later they may increase the dose up to 20 mg per day. 5mg per day may be prescribed to patients sensitive to medicines in general.
Additionally, your individual genetic variation, metabolic rate, age, gender, weight, and medical history of other conditions can impact your state after taking Lexapro.
It is alright to feel well or experience side effects from Lexapro on week 3 as long as you regularly consult your doctor and your condition does not worsen.
Make sure your doctor knows any previous medical conditions you have had, such as kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, epilepsy, high blood pressure, heart defects, stroke, bleeding problems, or sexual problems, before taking Lexapro.
Lexapro Week 3: How to Feel Better?
A few of the side effects you go through can be helped if you follow the tips down below-
- Mouth dryness- Chew sugar-free gums to prevent your mouth from becoming over dry.
- Sleeplessness- Avoid taking Lexapro just before sleep. Take it a few hours before bedtime.
- Sweating- You can use strong antiperspirants to help reduce sweating to some extent.
- Vomiting- Eating small meals at a time and staying hydrated may help reduce the chances of nausea and vomiting. Taking slow walks after meals may help as well.
- Suicidal thoughts- You may see a trained psychotherapist. Psychotherapy can help you avoid gloomy thoughts at the same time help focus on positive things around yourself.
Which Drugs Can Affect Lexapro?
Drugs including opioids, sleep medications, muscle relaxers, blood thinners, drugs that alter QT interval (pimozide), few antibiotics, few antifungals, migraine medicines, or other medicines for treating anxiety such as SNRIs(serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), tricyclic antidepressants, and MAOIs(monoamine oxidase inhibitors) can react with Lexapro causing harmful side effects.
Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other NSAIDs can hamper your blood clotting ability leading to excessive bleeding.
Ensure your doctor knows any medicines, non-medicinal drugs, herbal supplements, or vitamins you are consuming before starting Lexapro treatment.
Lexapro Week 3: What to Avoid?
Whether you have been taking Lexapro for about 3 weeks now, just started to take Lexapro, or have been using Lexapro for a long time, it is better to avoid a few things in all of these cases.
- Avoid consuming alcohol.
- Avoid taking any type of new medicines, including over-the-counter medication, when on Lexapro without medical consultation.
- Avoid driving or operating machines. Taking Lexapro may impair normal reaction times in some cases.
Additional Things to Keep in Mind
- Consult with your doctor if you experience any new symptoms after taking Lexapro.
- Do not stop or start taking Lexapro without informing your doctor.
- Do not take Lexapro if you are already taking any MAO inhibitors like linezolid, selegiline, or phenelzine.
- It is not preferable for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to take Lexapro. If you are already on Lexapro and newly pregnant, consult your doctor.
- Confirm with your doctor to ensure you are not allergic to Escitalopram, the active ingredient of Lexapro.
FAQs
- Question: Can you take Lexapro if you have bipolar disorder?
Answer: Doctors prescribe Lexapro to treat bipolar disorders as well. However, a person with bipolar disorder may experience manic episodes when on Lexapro.
- Question: How to understand if Lexapro is working?
Answer: You will observe positive improvements in your sleep, energy levels, and appetite as an early indication that the medicine is working. Change in level of anxiety or depression may take more than 4 weeks in some cases.
- Question: Can Lexapro cause jaw pain?
Answer: Yes, jaw pain can be one of the side effects of Lexapro however, it is a very uncommon one. Jaw pain does not indicate a severe condition, but you should inform your doctor if the pain is bothering you.
Closing Words
You may start feeling better or worse when on Lexapro week 3. Although Lexapro can cause various side effects, they are usually not very serious and tend to clear away. You start to feel less depressed and more rejuvenated once the side effects wane off; however, it is essential to strictly follow your prescription and doctor’s advice to get the desired benefits from Lexapro.
