Hi all,
I have never taken meds for anxiety before, dr has prescribed lexapro. 1/2 tablet for the 1st couple of days then to full 10mg. Is it ok to cut these tablets in half? My worry also is the pharmacist said they can keep you awake. I already have insomnia! I wish I had of known this was one of the side effects before filling the script! So she told me to take 1st thing in the morning.
Does any one have any experience with this med, good or bad I’d love to hear your experience.
Thanks ❤️
Yes I have taken lexapro and liked it. However it did give me insomnia so I took right when I got up. Any side effects were gone by end of the week. I started at 5mg then after 2 weeks went to 10. Gave me so much energy and stopped panic attacks.
Yes you can cut in 1/2. Also like I said I stayed on a low dose for a couple of weeks while my body got used to it. Good luck, try to stick with it as lexapro and Zoloft are 2 SSRIs that have the least amount of side effects and usually 1st line meds for anxiety here in the US
Thanks for the reply.
Ok great, that’s good to know. I’m in Australia, I think i will tell her I’m going to do half dose for longer than she wants me to.
Is lexapro better than Lorazepam?
Kokkoo Lorazepam and Lexapro are different classes of drugs.
Lexapro is an SSRI - An Antidepressant used to raise your serotonin levels. Used everyday for extended amount of time.
Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine - a psychoactive drug used for suppressing your central nervous system. Used as needed for a shorter amount of time. Benzo’s, like lorazepam, is a faster acting anxiety med that calms you down during a panic or anxiety attack. It is addictive, whereas Lexapro is not.
You can take Lexapro and lorazepam together as they work on different parts of your CNS.
I am not a medical professional so definitely talk to your doctor.
I've been taking it in the morning...but that's when I go to bed (I work overnights). Yes, it definitely impacts sleep. Sometimes I don't feel as rested, it can be harder to get to bed, or I just don't feel like I reached a deep sleep. I would definitely say it's best to take upon waking. I've even started at 5 mg (half) and dosed to 7.5 mg by cutting a half in half....I'm not a huge fan of the side effects of meds. Whatever helps keep on plan. So, it's been about two weeks for me on it, but insomnia/sleep issues are definitely a thing. Hopefully they'll be some of the side effects that go away with prolonged use.
Thank you 
fingers crossed your sleep issues with it resolve. Must be even harder with having to work nights.
Veritas9983 for me the side effects were horrible for first couple of weeks - I felt worse than before starting the meds. But stick with it. For me it took a good 6 weeks before I could tell it was really a good med for me. After 3 months, I feel great. Helped my sleep and insomnia was previously a huge problem. Now taking 10 mgs on waking. 😊
Thanks for the info! Yeah, I've tried just about everything else (this is actually my third stint on Lexapro...but the first as to going ahead and giving it an entire month) and figured why not try again given how many people have said this medication has helped. So far, it's weird, I can be fatigued to all ends and then the energy comes back a few hours later. Or I end up feeling like I drank a Coke in the middle of my sleep and I can't get to bed. Lol. I'm sticking with it and hoping to see even just some small steps with coping or feeling balanced. It's good to hear these testaments.
I’m glad this helps a bit. Do stick with it. It certainly took longer than the 4-6 weeks generally reported - I started in May and it wasn’t until 2 weeks ago that I started feeling 💯. Might be because of my age - I’m 64. Don’t know. Anyway, good luck and keep me informed!! 😊
Hi Amz1987. I’m also on Escitalopram (Lexapro). I started on 5 mgs for first 2 weeks then increased as per doctor’s instructions to 10 mgs. I’ve been taking it for around 3 months for GAD which I’ve probably had forever. This is first time on antidepressants. Initially I took it at night (for first week) and for me it was good for sleeping. Really helped my insomnia. In fact I’m sleeping really good, no more nightmares which used to wake me up every night, usually around 2 am. I then changed to taking them in the morning (again doctor advised this) but initially I found it a bit stressful as I was waking up and worrying about taking it! I then went on to taking it at lunchtime as by then I felt more in to the day and was able to be less focused on what was going to happen! However, as I’m now feeling much more relaxed (the drugs DO work!) I went back to mornings about a month ago as it fits more easily into my routine if I take it when I take my other meds. I have to warn you that for me the first two weeks were not good at all. Had it not been before the support I received from this website I certainly would have stopped. It took a good 6 weeks before I could really say that the meds made me feel normal and probably 8 weeks before I started really feeling the true effects which I now have. Sleeping better, feeling calm and generally like the person I should have been. Not overthinking or feeling weird or drugged just a better version of myself! So stick with it, it is a good drug for a lot of people, but be prepared to play around with the timing to suit you. Good luck 😊
Thanks heaps.
I’m a bit worried about the initial adjustment period (being a mum of 4 with lots of things I have to do on my own as hubby leaves before the kids wake and is home by dinner most days) And I have no family or friends where I live other than my father in law, who was just diagnosed with cancer so I don’t want to bother him to ask for any help.
You’ll have to bear this in mind then. Days 4-9 side effects were pretty awful but tolerable. Just felt strangely lackadaisical. I was quite able to function and go to work as normal throughout though. I have a high pressure job and the only issue with this was that I felt a bit ‘can’t be bothered’! If you have weekend to recover a bit, work around this. I didn’t need help as such, just felt a bit weird but if you know this improve day by day (it will) you can get through it. Good luck. 😊
I echo everyone’s posts here. I started taking 10mg of lexapro and initially felt worse than before I started. The doctor moved me to 5mg, then 7.5 and now back to 10 (took 1.5 months to get there). I’m still not convinced that it’s the best drug for me (it seems to increase my anxiety) but I’m giving it more time. I take mine at night because taking it in the morning made me feel very “charged” and on edge. Hearing everyone’s stories has definitely helped me. I also feel MUCH better on the days I exercise. Hang in there everyone!
Hi swimmer. It took me a good 3 months until I felt better than before I started. 10 mgs now and that’s the therapeutic dose here in UK for GAD. I tried changing times (morning, lunchtime & evening) as early on, it did affect me after taking it but after a while I’m not sure it matters as the brain adapts. I now take it when I awake as it suits me to take same time as other meds and there is no noticeable effect. I feel level all day. For me it’s a great drug! 😊
Thanks for sharing this! It’s reassuring to hear that it may take a while to get the effect. I’m not giving up on it yet. Many thanks!
Happy to share my experiences! Keep me updated. I would have hated to given up too soon reflecting on how much better I feel. The sleeping has been so much better - used to suffer with horrible nightmares and waking up in a panic. All gone now which is truly fantastic! Up until a couple of weeks ago I was waking up with anxiety and generally feeling not quite with it. But that’s now passed. 😊
Prozac. Lexapro. Zoloft
Lexapro
Lexapro 
Lexapro 
