

Now, this increased amount of serotonin might mess up your sleep pattern during the first few weeks of antidepressant treatment. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (a chemical) released by our brain which is responsible for modulating mood, cognition, reward, learning, memory, and various other psychological processes. So, it increases the availability of serotonin in your brain. These drugs inhibit the reuptake of serotonin from the synaptic cleft (space between a neuron and its target cell). Lexapro belongs to the family of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, abbreviated as SSRIs. Why does lexapro cause insomnia in the first place? As long as it remains in your system, it keeps you awake. People who smoke fall asleep later than the normal individuals. Take a warm bath, light some soft scented candles, listen to some soft music or do some yoga to relax your mind and induce sleep. Try to calm yourself before you go to bed. Do something that makes you feel relaxed until you feel sleepy again. It will not only ruin your sleep quality but it will also keep you bloated throughout the next day. It’s already not preferred to lie down right after eating. You don’t need to keep your digestive system working while you sleep. Do not overeat before bedĭo not consume high amounts of food or alcohol before bedtime. Instead, have a warm cup of milk or herbal tea. The half life of caffeine is 2 to 12 hours, so make sure you do not consume it in the evening, as it might remain in your system till bedtime. Lower your caffeine intakeĭo not consume caffeine in the evening. It is not recommended to do a high intensity workout before bedtime, as it will make it difficult to fall asleep.

Regular exercise releases tension from your muscles and makes you feel relaxed. In this way, your brain is programmed in such a way that you automatically start feeling sleepy at your ‘go to bed’ hour. This helps you to maintain the number of hours you sleep. Make sure you keep your sleeping hours constant by going to bed and getting up at the same time, everyday. Make sure your bed makes you feel relaxed as you drift off to sleep. It is difficult to fall asleep on an uncomfortable bed. Temperature, lighting and sound should be controlled as per your liking. Create a peaceful sleeping environmentĪlways make sure your bedroom is peaceful when it’s time to sleep. Even if you want to switch, do not proceed without your doctor’s approval.
Lexapro insomnia professional#
The best way to switch is to miss your night dose and take it the following morning.Īgain, you need to talk to your healthcare professional before making any changes by yourself. If you’re currently taking lexapro at night and you wish to switch, ask your healthcare provider. You can set the best time for Lexapro, in accordance with your side effects. Always talk to your healthcare provider to guide you through it.Ĭhoosing the most appropriate time to take your med is a smart way of avoiding the unwanted effects. It is preferred to start taking lexapro in the morning, instead of taking it at night time. Taking lexapro at bedtime is more likely to cause insomnia. These include: Take your lexapro in the morning There are a few things you can try to make your sleep pattern better and avoid lexapro induced insomnia. What could be done to help relieve the symptoms of lexapro induced insomnia? Once your body is fully adjusted, you begin to notice your side effects fading away. Side effects associated with lexapro usually stay as long as your body tries to adapt to the presence of this antidepressant. Lexapro induced insomnia begins to subside within 2 to 3 weeks of your treatment.
