[MySelfIsAfterMe]

Hi everybody. My psychiatrist prescribed me Escitalopram. He suggested to start with 5mg for the first 3 days and then switch to 10mg, in the morning.
I started yesterday but I took 10mg since the beginning as I was feeling very low and I wanted the med to kick in as soon as possible. I also took 1mg of Lorazepam to counteract the anxiety drawback of Escitalopram. Yesterday was fine, except for drowsiness until lunchtime.
The worst moment for my depression is in the morning, so yesterday night, before bedtime, I took 5mg because I thought that it would help me through the night and I would wake up less depressed. I woke up very tired, and I took another 5mg. Right now I'm feeling very weak, irritable and a little dizzy, but not drowsy.
I am at work right now and I need to be more active, I can't concentrate on any task and I'm just procrastinating. I have work to be done and I cannot admit I'm sick to my colleagues.
What can I do? Would caffeine do?

Thanks

[CANDC]

Hi and welcome to Psych Central. Sorry you took medicine in a higher dose than the doctor prescribed. You might talk to your doctor and see what they suggest. See if your doc says you can take the Lorazepam in evening because it does make a person sleepy. Get 8-10 hours of sleep otherwise you may be sleepy in the day.

There is a bunch of info on Psych Central
Psych Central - Search results for Escitalopram

[ThingWithFeathers]

Escitalopram takes a long time to actually have any therapeutic effect. It does not work immediately to help sedate or bring on sleep (although this may be a side effect). It takes around 4-6 weeks of taking it as prescribed for the medication to work on treating depression and anxiety. The amount you took is not of concern in terms of your physical health, but not taking it as prescribed will impact on its effectiveness. Speak to your doctor. Until then, take it as prescribed.