Prevacid for GERD User Reviews

Prevacid has an average rating of 7.9 out of 10 from a total of 46 reviews for the treatment of GERD. 72% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 13% reported a negative experience.

Prevacid rating summary

7.9/10 average rating

46 ratings from 46 user reviews.

Compare all 121 medications used in the treatment of GERD.

10		48%
9		20%
8		4%
7		4%
6		2%
5		7%
4		2%
3		2%
2		0%
1		11%

Reviews for Prevacid

Anonymous
February 16, 2016

"I have been taking prevacid for 20 years. I have had numerous side effects in the last 5 years, migraine headaches, major memory loss, blurred vision, heart palpitations, and most of the side effects listed I have. I have taken this medication as I have severe acid reflux and when I stop I have instant reflux, but my side effects are getting worse, so I have to try something different or I fear this medication may end my life."

9 / 10

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136 Report

raddy...
Taken for less than 1 month
January 4, 2021

"5 days on Prevacid and my anxiety is overwhelming. Heart palpitations, insomnia, feeling like I'm completely losing it. I get that these drugs help some - but frankly, in my experience, they are potentially dangerous and folks should know the side effects before they jump in. (Part of the problem is that every drug nowadays lists the same side effects - for legal reasons - so we take those warnings with a grain of salt) Don't ignore the side effects listed for this drug. They are factual. Anxiety? Believe it. Depression? Believe it. Folks end up in the ER on this drug. Now I know why. Never again."

1 / 10

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50 Report

Jay
Taken for 1 to 6 months
September 14, 2019

"Started taking prevacid about a month ago. Started off great. It was working wonders. Then my GERD started to act up at night. I was initially on 30mg and I would take that just in the morning now I'm taking it in the morning and in the evening. Still all good. However, recently I've been getting severe stomach aches and nausea. Felt extremely weak and non stop diarrhea as well. Drank some Gatorade which actually fixed it. Wonder if there's some sort of electrolyte imbalance with taking prevacid. Either way I'm probably going to wean off of it. The constant nausea isn't worth it."

5 / 10

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57 Report

Frequently asked questions

What are the risks associated with heartburn medications?

mhorris
Taken for 2 to 5 years
October 27, 2015

"After I turned 65, I started suffering from GERD. My doctor gave me free samples of Prilosec to use, but I found it to be only somewhat effective. I switched to Prevacid, and am now heartburn/GERD free! I've been taking Prevacid for about 4 years, and have suffered no side effects whatsoever."

10 / 10

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83 Report

Anonymous
November 26, 2011

"I began taking Prevacid probably 10 years ago, stopped occasionally, but found I could not go long without needing it. I never thought of anything bad coming of it, I felt wonderful, no heartburn, no need to watch what I ate anymore, no more waking up at night needing antacids. Well, a few years ago, I started having severe foot and ankle pain and weakness, and last September, I fell in the yard and severely broke my ankle, requiring ORIF surgery to put in a plate and screws. My ankle will never be the same. Gone are the 4 mile walks I used to enjoy daily, and, I have also developed some heart palpitations, higher blood pressure readings, and I feel it is all due to my long term use of Prevacid. I stopped taking it almost 2 months ago."

10 / 10

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102 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

MissL...
Taken for less than 1 month
June 29, 2020

"I have GERD due to cyclic vomiting syndrome causing damage to my pyloric sphincter and a hiatal hernia. I take 40mg of Pepcid AC every night but I was still getting the feeling of acid in the back of my throat. I decided to take Prevacid since I've taken it in the past with no problems. Unfortunately, I've had some issues this time. It has helped with the regurgitation and acid, but I am having a lot of muscle cramps and diarrhea. I looked at the side effects and this is, indeed, a problem with Prevacid. I will be seeing my GI doctor tomorrow for advice."

5 / 10

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41 Report

Kelly...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
January 22, 2015

"I took this for about 2 1/2 years in my early 30's and it work amazing! If I even missed a single dose I was up with horrible acid problems during the night. I do highly recommend it but also consider Fundoplication Surgery for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. I had this done about 10 years ago and since then my GERD is completely gone and I have no need for the Prevacid at all anymore. I eat and enjoy spicy foods never have an issue. Both Prevacid and the surgery changed my life!"

10 / 10

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68 Report

ReGerd
Taken for 10 years or more
January 16, 2016

"I have tried almost every acid reducer made in the last 20 years and nothing worked until I took prevacid 30mg 2x a day. I has severe stomach pain, cramps, pain under right shoulder. Thought I was having a heart attack. One 30mg pill didn't do it, I still needed antacids. Another Dr suggested 2x a day. It worked. It took about 4 weeks for my symptoms to go away. I could eat anything. Periodically I've tried to reduce the amount by slowly reducing the mg, but symptoms always came back. I've tried the generic version because my insurance co would cover it at this high dose, but symptoms came back after a few months. Generic versions are just not the same."

9 / 10

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57 Report

capec...
Taken for 5 to 10 years
December 18, 2013

"I had suffered with acid reflux since childhood. I would wake up in the middle of the night, vomit, and go back to bed. This continued off and on for years. In my late teens and early 20's, it began to get worse. My doctor told me about Prevacid being OTC, and I should give that a try. It was getting so bad that no matter what I did or didn't do, ate or didn't eat, I would have heartburn. It used to be just certain foods triggered it. As time went on, anything and everything gave me heartburn. I started taking Prevacid, and now I take 15mg daily, and have for the last 5 years or so. Since taking it, I am almost completely heartburn free all the time. Occasionally, I have to take 30mg. But I couldn't live without it! It has changed my life!"

10 / 10

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66 Report

Macrock
Taken for 10 years or more
January 13, 2013

"I have been on Prevacid for over 10 years now. Take 30 Mg a day. I have used both the prescription and the 24 hr when I run out. Both are fantastic, never had a side effect and it completely controls my acid reflux and heartburn. Stopped eating tums and can eat whatever I choose. It works like a charm for me."

10 / 10

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70 Report

Anonymous
March 3, 2012

"I have been taking Prevacid for 10 years now. It had worked tremendously. I have tried to go without it but my acid reflux just gets to bad. I had two endoscopes done prior to taking Prevacid for scaring in my esophagus. Prevacid has healed my esophagus. I would definetely recommend it for anyone who suffers from GERD like myself."

10 / 10

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67 Report

Muddl...
Taken for 10 years or more
February 11, 2014

"I have been using this medication for about 15 years at 60mg a day, to treat severe GERD. Doctors in general are reluctant to prescribe this dosage, but in my case it was necessary. I had been using Zantac and Prilosec prior to that and graduated onto this as a last resort. It has cleared up most of the oesophogus erosion. There seems to be no side effects that I am aware of, but would be interested if anyone has noticed an uptick in kidney infections."

10 / 10

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54 Report

Jasper
Taken for 5 to 10 years
March 1, 2021

"Do not start on Prevacid or any PPI. They work fine but if you develop serious side effects as I have you are stuck taking them because they are almost impossible to get off of. The rebound pain and heartburn are even worse than the serious side effects. You then suffer from both problems at the same time. These pills suck the very life out of you. Use Pepcid or Tagamet. Stay away from these."

1 / 10

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22 Report

PugMom
November 5, 2020

"I have been taking Prevacid for 28 years. I’ve tried to stop taking this medication so many times and the heartburn/reflux comes back with a vengeance. I went to a top notch gastroenterologist and he said he needed to test the ph of my esophagus/stomach. I had to stop taking Prevacid seven days before procedure. Without it, I felt like I was having a heart attack. I have broken both my ankles and shoulder and I wasn’t really doing anything! I have numerous health problems that I believe stemmed from this drug that was prescribed when I was in the hospital from a major asthma attack. It kept the heartburn/reflux at bay and didn’t exacerbate the asthma (wheezing and coughing). I never had a gastroenterologist care or seem concerned every time I said I need to get off of this medication until the one I’m seeing!"

1 / 10

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23 Report

Hana...
February 11, 2017

"After several months of taking prevacid, if I don't take it for a day, my symptoms now are 10 times worse than they used to be before I started taking it. Not only that, but the doctor has told me that if I continue to take prevacid I will most likely develop osteoporosis (I am only 18 years old). Overall, after taking this medicine for about half a year, my only choice is to continue taking it, but risk being deficient in some essential nutrients and develop osteoporosis, or stop talking it and experience burning pain and reflux every day, and continue to damage my esophagus."

1 / 10

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39 Report

daveo
November 2, 2011

"I've been taking Prevacid for over 10 years, 1 in the morning, that's it. I've had acid reflux since I was 13 years old, used to keep bottles of tums in my car, my night stand, my pocket. I suffered for years. Not anymore. I'm 53, I eat drink whatever I want, hardly ever get indigestion anymore. Sure works for me."

9 / 10

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57 Report

treke
Taken for 1 to 6 months
September 24, 2015

"I was told by MD that I probably have a hiatal hernia that is causing G.E.R.D. He prescribed an RX. When I went to pharmacy & it was too expensive, pharmacist suggested I try an over-the-counter one. I read all the labels of ingredients on Prevacid, Prilosec, etc. I chose Prevacid because of it's ingredients. I have been VERY happy with it! It works well!"

10 / 10

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36 Report

Shere...
October 12, 2015

"I have used Prevacid before and it does work well. Years ago, a doctor told me that they wanted to put a scope down my throat. I am not really in to that idea so it has not been done. I do not use this often due to the price increase but I would recommend it."

9 / 10

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30 Report

Anonymous
August 30, 2009

"I have used Prevacid 30mg (lansoprazole) for almost a year now. It works wonders for my acid reflux, except when I'm bad and eat something to trigger it! I have found it works better when not used daily. My Doctor said do not take it every day as the effects will wear off sooner, take it when you need it or on a day you know you will be eating something to trigger your acid reflux. As any other medication the effects of relief will wear off but, when you stagger, you take it. It works all the time."

9 / 10

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40 Report

Anonymous
March 5, 2008

"I had my gallbladder removed about 10 years ago due to an infection (not gall stones). Of all of the heartburn medications I have taken and been prescribed (Nexium, Prilosec, Zantac) only prevacid seems to give me relief."

9 / 10

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40 Report

Muldune
Taken for 10 years or more
January 6, 2017

"I have tried several medications for GERD. Did not work. When I go in to the hospital, I have to have my doctor order that I can bring in my generic Prevacid because they do not carry Prevacid in their pharmacy and the one they give me doesn't work. I take 30mg 2x daily. Have had no side effects. But now my new insurance requires me to get an exception to be able to take 2 per day."

9 / 10

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21 Report

Dino...
Taken for 10 years or more
July 5, 2023

"I have used all of them off and on for 20 years. They all work (PPIs), so experiment and see what you like. I like Prevacid and Nex. The best way to get rid of your GERD is to modify your eating habits. Really. Lose some weight, eat a vegetable or some fruit now and then. Changing food habits will do more than all the drugs. I cut back on coffee, liquor, and wine. I am thrilled when I can get down one PPI every 3 days or so. That can happen for you. If we could all sleep standing up, we would never have problems. Side effects they don't mention: Anxiety, chest pains. And the purple will give you looser stools after a while."

10 / 10

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4 Report

MrsDo...
February 26, 2010

"It's the best medication for my acid reflux, chronic heartburn. Two capsules and I no longer wake at night with painful heartburn. I can continue to enjoy my normal (somewhat spicy) foods without suffering afterwards. Please note - the instructions tell you not to take it for more than 14 days. Then take a break of nearly 4 months before starting another course. The over the counter Prevacid is NOT for daily use ad infinitum. If it doesn't help, then you need to see a doctor!!"

10 / 10

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32 Report

KKost...
June 6, 2008

"I got immediate improvement switching from omeprazole 20mg and 40mg to prevacid 30mg for my long term struggle with severe acid reflux. I still occasionally supplement with a Pepcid Complete at bedtime, but overall I'm much better."

9 / 10

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33 Report

Mia
September 1, 2008

"I started using Prevacid after several months (actually years) of a condition of acid reflux getting increasingly worse. Tums just wasn't working anymore, and I was crossing more and more foods off the list of what I could eat without getting severe heartburn. After several kinds of tests at a specialist, I was prescribed Prevacid. I couldn't believe how quickly and permanently my heartburn went away. I could even eat onions. There was one side affect though - frequent diarrhea for about the first six months - it really became kind of regular thing, but seriously, it was better than the awful heartburn. After the first six months, it went away and never returned."

10 / 10

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29 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.