What Pharmacists Say About The Best Time To Take Lexapro (Plus 5 More Tips)

Lexapro (escitalopram) is an antidepressant. It’s part of a group of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It’s FDA approved for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It’s also used off-label for several other mental health conditions such as panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

If you’ve been prescribed Lexapro, knowing exactly how to take it and what risks to watch out for can help it be effective and safe. Here are six tips to help you get the most from your medication while minimizing negative effects. 

1. You can take Lexapro any time of the day

Lexapro is typically taken once a day. The best time of day to take Lexapro for anxiety and depression is whenever you’ll remember to take it. This means you can take it any time, but it’s important to be consistent and take it around the same time every day. 

When considering when to take Lexapro, pay attention to whether it’s causing side effects for you. For example, Lexapro can sometimes cause drowsiness, so you may find it suits you best to take it in the evening. But Lexapro can also cause insomnia (trouble sleeping). So the best time for you to take Lexapro to avoid insomnia may be in the morning.

2. You can take Lexapro with or without food

Lexapro is well-absorbed by the body regardless of whether you take it with food. This means you can take Lexapro with food, or without food — whichever works for you.

In early clinical studies of Lexapro, up to 18% of people taking Lexapro experienced nausea. If you feel nauseated after taking Lexapro, you can try taking it with food.

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3. It’s OK to take Lexapro at the same time as other medications

Lexapro has some drug interactions to be aware of. But this doesn’t mean you can’t take Lexapro at the same time as your other medications. These drug interactions aren’t related to when Lexapro is given. Rather, they’re related to how Lexapro works in the body.

It’s a good idea to give your healthcare team a list of all the medications you take so they can check for drug interactions. Possible Lexapro interactions include:

• Medications that can cause bleeding. These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and blood thinners, such as anticoagulants and antiplatelet medications.

• Medications that increase serotonin levels. This includes other antidepressants like mirtazapine (Remeron) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

• Medications and substances that can cause drowsiness. Since SSRIs can make you drowsy, other medications and substances that add to this may be dangerous. This includes opioids such as oxycodone (Roxicodone, Oxycontin), benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax), and alcohol.

4. Don’t take extra Lexapro to make up for missed doses

If you miss a dose of Lexapro, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, just wait and take Lexapro at your regular time (and skip your missed dose).

Don’t take extra medication if you miss a dose. This means you should never take two Lexapro doses at the same time. Taking too much Lexapro could raise your risk of side effects, and could result in an accidental overdose.

5. Be aware of Lexapro side effects  

Like all medications, Lexapro has some possible side effects, including:

• Nausea

• Headache

• Insomnia or drowsiness

• Sexual problems

• Diarrhea

• Dry mouth

• Dizziness

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• Lexapro side effects: Lexapro (escitalopram) side effects are usually mild, but they can be more serious in some cases.

• Lexapro interactions: Certain medications and substances can interact with Lexapro. Some of these interactions may need to be avoided entirely, but others can simply be monitored.

• How SSRIs work: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) treat several mental health conditions by affecting a chemical called serotonin.

If any of these side effects are bothersome to you, contact your prescriber. They may be able to adjust your dose of Lexapro or try another antidepressant.

It’s important to know that Lexapro can also have more serious side effects. Though these aren’t common, they’re possible. Examples include:

• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors

• Withdrawal symptoms after abruptly stopping Lexapro (discontinuation syndrome)

• Bleeding

• Serotonin syndrome (having too much serotonin in the body)

• Altered heart rhythm

• Manic episodes (periods of high energy) in people with bipolar disorder

• Low sodium levels

• Angle-closure glaucoma

• Seizures

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, you’re not alone, and help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text “HOME” to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.

6. Don’t suddenly stop taking Lexapro

Suddenly stopping Lexapro can cause antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. This happens when there is a sudden drop in serotonin and other chemicals in your brain. Symptoms usually appear a few days after stopping Lexapro and gradually resolve in a week or two. Typical withdrawal symptoms include:

• Flu-like symptoms (such as tiredness, muscle aches, diarrhea)

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Nausea or vomiting

• Trouble sleeping

• Electric shock sensations

• Anxiety or feeling on edge

Always talk to a healthcare professional before stopping or lowering the dose of any medication, especially antidepressants. With Lexapro, your prescriber can help you slowly reduce your dose over time with what’s known as a “medication taper.” A taper gives your body time to readjust and minimizes withdrawal symptoms. But, don’t try to taper Lexapro on your own. Tapers are unique for each person and depend on health conditions and Lexapro dose.

How to save

Lexapro is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. Generic Lexapro’s price at certain pharmacies is as low as $6.79 with a free GoodRx discount.

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Written by:

Nicole E. Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, BCPS, NCMP

Nicole E. Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, BCPS, NCMP, has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist, professor, and researcher. She was a full-time clinical professor in the pharmacy practice department at D’Youville School of Pharmacy before subsequently joining the faculty of the pharmacy practice department at the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Edited by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

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