Stress Center Peer Support

I take Citalopram (similar to Lexapro), 20 mg daily, for depression. The effectiveness seems to have hit a plateau. I've been taking it at 8 A.M., as nighttime doses seemed to mess (even more) with my sleep cycle. Does any have experiences to share about how the time of day affects your energy/focus, or the drug's effectiveness?


Eric B.

Hi Eric,

I just recently started Citalopram and my doctor advised me to take it in the morning. However, I think it's just because I recently started it and it's better to have the "jitters" during the day than at night when I'm trying to sleep. But that's only until I get used to it.

I would think that taking it early in the day would benefit over taking it at night though. Maybe give it shot and see what happens. Sorry, I'm not much help, but I just started it myself and can't really offer much insight. Good luck!

Most daily meds work to establish a constant level of action. Once you have been on on for a length of time, the time of day shouldn't matter, but we're all different and you'll have to experiment to find what's best for you.

I found it was much better to take my Lexapro in the mornng with breakfast. The side effects were less and I was able to sleep better.
Good luck to you. Be well.

Hi there, I do not take the same medicine as you, however, I find that if I take mine within an hour of waking up in the morning-that works the best for me. If the medicine is not lasting all day for you-you may want to ask your dr. about upping the milligrams. Good luck to you.

Eric,

My doctor prescribed me to 20mg of citalopram daily also. I have been taking it for almost 2 years now. Taking it in the morning with food is what has worked best for myself. It gives me a boost of energy about a half hour after I take it. However, it doesn't last and I feel that it's not helping me in the way I thought it would. I stopped taking it for about a month and that caused my body to react differently. I recommend staying with it and if you feel it's not for you then make an appointment with your physician, but do not just quit it.

If you have any other questions feel free to send me an email at lah785@aol.com. Also, if you didn't know already you can get your medication for only $4 at Target stores. I just found that out recently... I had been paying $12 at a different pharmacy.

Laura

I began taking lexapro a few weeks ago. My doctor told me in order to take it "right" I should take it in the morning. He didn't explain why.

Originally posted by Eric B.:
I take Citalopram (similar to Lexapro), 20 mg daily, for depression. The effectiveness seems to have hit a plateau. I've been taking it at 8 A.M., as nighttime doses seemed to mess (even more) with my sleep cycle. Does any have experiences to share about how the time of day affects your energy/focus, or the drug's effectiveness?


Eric B.

Hi Eric my name is Anna and I am new to this program. I have been taking medication for anxiety, OCD, and depression all my life. currently I am on zoloft which If I take it in the morning it makes me groggy all day, so I take it at night. I was also on bupropron which was a stimulant and I had to take it in the morning or I was wired. I think that taking it at night my effect the way you sleep. I don't think that it will get you over the hump in terms of working.

While we are speaking of medications. It seems that every medication I take I experience such bad side effects that at sometimes make me anxious. Does anyone feel the same way?