Escitalopram, sold under the brand name Lexapro®, is a common antidepressant that’s used to treat depression and certain anxiety disorders.
First approved for use by the FDA in 2002, Lexapro is a popular antidepressant. It’s used by millions of people of different ages and backgrounds to make dealing with depression and anxiety an easier experience.
Although some antidepressants are associated with sleep difficulties, the data on Lexapro and insomnia is mixed. While some Lexapro users report insomnia, there’s also research showing that Lexapro may actually make it easier to fall asleep.
Below, we’ve explained what Lexapro is and how it works. We’ve also looked at the major links between Lexapro and sleep difficulties such as insomnia. Finally, we’ve provided several tips to help make falling and staying asleep easier if you’re prescribed an antidepressant.
Lexapro is an antidepressant that contains the ingredient escitalopram. It belongs to a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs.
SSRIs like Lexapro work by changing the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in your brain and body. Serotonin, alongside other neurotransmitters, plays a key role in regulating the way your brain behaves, affecting everything from your mood to your ability to sleep properly.
As an antidepressant, Lexapro is very effective. A large-scale scientific review from 2006 found that not only is it effective at treating major depressive disorder, but also that it’s more effective than many other antidepressants.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe Lexapro if you’re affected by depression, or if you have an anxiety disorder such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Insomnia is a common side effect of many antidepressants, including Lexapro. For example, it’s listed as one of the most common adverse reactions experienced by people prescribed Lexapro in FDA documentation.
According to data from the FDA, more than five percent of people who use Lexapro experience insomnia. This means that if you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep after you start to use Lexapro, you’re definitely not alone.
On the other hand, there’s also some scientific evidence that escitalopram (the active ingredient in Lexapro) may actually make it easier for people to fall asleep. For example, a study published in 2012 noted that menopausal women experienced improved sleep quality after using escitalopram.
Overall, the data is mixed, with insomnia reported as a common side effect of Lexapro, while some research suggests that Lexapro may actually improve sleep.
It’s important to understand that insomnia is a very common symptom of both depression and anxiety, the two disorders Lexapro is commonly prescribed to treat.
Because of this, if you experience insomnia while you use Lexapro, it may not always be due to your medication. It can often take several weeks for Lexapro to start working, meaning some of your depression or anxiety symptoms may persist even after you begin treatment.
Dealing with insomnia can be an extremely frustrating experience. Luckily, there are steps that you can take to make falling and staying asleep easier. We’ve listed many of these techniques below:
Our comprehensive guide to insomnia lists more techniques that you can use to improve your sleep habits and overcome insomnia.
If you still experience insomnia from Lexapro after making changes to your lifestyle, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider.
Depending on the severity of your insomnia and the progression of your depression or anxiety symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend adjusting your dosage of Lexapro. They may also suggest switching to another type of medication.
Alternatively, your healthcare provider may prescribe a sleeping medication to help you fall and stay asleep more easily while you use Lexapro.
Lexapro and other antidepressants may cause you to experience insomnia. You may notice that it takes you longer than it normally should to fall asleep, or that you struggle to fall asleep even if you feel tired.
If you notice insomnia symptoms after using Lexapro, try applying the techniques listed above to make falling and staying asleep easier. If these aren’t effective, talk to your healthcare provider to learn more about your options for overcoming insomnia and improving your sleep quality.
Escitalopram, the active ingredient in Lexapro, is one of several antidepressants prescribed for depression, anxiety and other mood disorders. Our guide to SSRIs goes into more detail about how these medications work, their side effects and more.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.