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Protonix User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

Protonix has an average rating of 7.2 out of 10 from a total of 80 reviews on Drugs.com. 64% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 22% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Protonix

  • Diana...
  • February 1, 2021

For GERD "I have had GERD for over 10 years now and I tried nexium otc helped but I ended up in the hospital because I had chest pain really bad. The hospital put me on cafarate and protonix it helped right away I take protonix twice a day and cafarate before every meal and at bedtime. I can eat anything I want and have no more pain in my chest. I will continue to take this medication as long as I can because I can eat anything without any pain"

10 / 10
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20 Report
  • MacMo...
  • March 7, 2009

For GERD "I love protonix. Only wish it was more affordable. My insurance company will only cover the generic form--which is NOT the same. I found the name of the manufacturer but again the insurance company won't cover it. The three months I was on the generic all my symptons returned. Back on the protonix for two weeks and everything was gone!"

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60 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 28, 2018

For GERD "I took Protonix for about a week and every time I took it, I got a severe headache every day. It did help to keep my heartburn at bay but to me, it is not worth it for the side effects. My mood dropped because of this medicine and I just did not feel like myself. I have stopped taking this medicine and I am now taking Zantac 150mg. Took effect and it is working wonders for me."

1 / 10
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30 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Tinke...
  • December 16, 2017

For Barrett's Esophagus "I have been on this medicine for awhile and as long as I take as I'm supposed to I'm good the only side effect is a headache for the first couple of days but other than that I really like this medicine it's much better than being sick and in pain all the time"

9 / 10
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30 Report
  • Bad...
  • December 1, 2011

For GERD "I only discovered I had GERD from an endoscopy. I've always had a horrible stomach, but recently had a constant sore throat. The Protonix worked wonders! But then I noticed I was constipated and had a huge appetite. I briefly switched medicines but went back to Protonix. It was when I started taking it again and had two abdominal exams that I realized my liver was enlarged. The doctors immediately dismissed it since I've had my gallbladder removed. They said it was scar tissue. My daughter has eosinophilic colitis so I'm really just focused on her gastrointestinal care, but at my next follow up I will address the issue. I did cut out milk/dairy from my diet and that seemed to help as much as the medicine!"

7 / 10
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49 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • MaryMac
  • October 29, 2008

For GERD "I loved this drug--until my insurance company said it was the 'same' as another less expensive drug. I've been miserable ever since. The acid reflux is returning, I am bloated and bowels are always a surprise. My surgeon is thinking a second surgery might be needed - if only I could afford the Protonix it could be avoided."

10 / 10
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57 Report
  • Hll
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 11, 2021

For GERD "I started taking protonix a few months ago. I’m 19 and have never had any prior health issues besides bad acid reflux. I was taking protonix for about a week and started to notice awful headaches. By week two I was having awful dizzy spells and I avoided going to class because I thought I was going to pass out. I thought all of these side effects was related to when I had COVID a month prior so I overlooked it. After taking this medicine for a month I went to the ER twice because I felt like my heart was skipping beats, I was nauseous, couldn’t catch my breath, tingling in my hands and feet, and my dizzy spells were unbearable. The doctors summed it up to panic attacks which I knew was wrong because I’m not an anxious person. I researched protonix online and realized a lot of other people had the same side effects. DO NOT take this medicine!!! It made me feel like I was going crazy and for a whole month I couldn’t do anything because of dizzy spells!"

1 / 10
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14 Report

More FAQ

  • rickw...
  • February 2, 2010

For GERD "My gall bladder was acting up and the pain was terrible. I took a Protonix as soon as I got out of the doctors office (with a sandwich and doctor pepper) about 15 seconds later I was burping like CRAZY. Viola!! The pain subsided considerably in less than 3 minutes. AN hour later it was like I never even had the pain! I felt MUCH, MUCH better."

9 / 10
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50 Report
  • Tester
  • July 2, 2008

For GERD "I have a Lap Band. Before I had the band I had no problem with heartburn, then after I got a couple adjustments, I had acid reflux and heartburn so bad I was eating like 20 Tums a day. Zantac no longer works, or anything for that matter, so I went to my doctor and he gave me samples of Protonix. Within minutes my heartburn was gone. I have slept through the night without vomiting my own stomach acid. Highly recommend this drug. If you have a Lap band then you know how horrible it can be."

10 / 10
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51 Report
  • tAnzi...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 11, 2017

For GERD "I have had acid reflux, for 10 years. I've taken Nexium it takes my reflux a way, now insurance will not pay, so now I have to take Protonix Tabs 40mg once per day I get heart burn heart burn so bad I have to take tums 2 to 3 at a time just not happy. I must keep looking for better meds."

4 / 10
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21 Report
  • Anonymous
  • September 28, 2009

For GERD "I've had years of GERD without any food triggers and daily heartburn. Protonix was a dream! It is, however, very expensive. My insurance had it on its drug list and dropped it this year. A 30 day supply is $120! I've had to switch to Nexium."

10 / 10
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37 Report
  • Renee
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 28, 2021

For GERD "Prescribed Protonix by my dr and after a week and a half I had to stop. Almost immediately, anything I ate gave me heartburn (I didn't have frequent heartburn before), headaches every morning, extreme nausea so much that I had no appetite, foggy brain, joint pain in my hands/wrists, abdomen pain, and depression/anxiety. I wish I would have done my research and asked more questions. I'm on day 2 after stopping and I feel slightly better. I'm going to try a cleaned up diet and not eating so late. Let us hope it works."

1 / 10
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9 Report
  • Color...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • June 17, 2022

For Erosive Esophagitis "Protonix/pantoprazole worked great. However, I noticed I started gaining weight after several months. I made excuses for the weight gain but realized I wasn't eating much and was still gaining weight. When I gained 25 lbs after being on pantoprozole after a few years I couldn't take it any more. The weight gain was out of control and made me depressed. I decided recently to get off pantoprozole and go back to pepcid ac. I have no idea how long it is going to take me to lose all this weight from taking this medication. I hope in the next 6 months I see some weight loss. Be careful taking this medication. Some doctors will swear it doesn't cause weight while googling Protonix you will find it actually does. Wish I read on this site where someone else had weight gain from this medication and how long it took to lose it after getting off of it."

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  • Anonymous
  • September 17, 2008

For GERD "Having suffered severe gastro-esophoseal reflux disease for many years, I have tried many remedies. Protonix gave me much needed relief. Later, we also added 10 mg of Reglan at bedtime, followed by 1 oz of Gavison an hour later for extra protection. It's been 2 years since I had a severe attack and the overall reflux/acid has disappeared."

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32 Report
  • Chris
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 27, 2022

For GERD "Awful ! Ruined an entire ten day vacation. Gas, stomach cramps, headache, alternating constipation and diarrhea. I had started taking a few days before the vacation and did not think much about it. I thought I had a stomach bug as it started just a few days into the vacation. On day ten I realized it might be this med. I stopped and within two days everything went back to normal."

2 / 10
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5 Report
  • Anonymous
  • March 22, 2009

"I rate it a 10. This is the ONLY drug that helps my gastrointestinal problems. I have only been prescribed it twice in several years but, when it was prescribed, the drug took away the pain in the chest and it did not come back. It is great."

10 / 10
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16 Report
  • Acidic...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • December 1, 2023

For Stomach Ulcer "Amazing life-saver when I wasn't able to eat anything without pain, which caused back pain. Was on Protonix, 2 tabs daily, for too long. The doctor prescribed this for over 20 years. Since Protonix removes 100% of stomach acid, it works like a charm to reduce pain from stomach ulcers, excessive acidic levels, and medications that cause excess stomach acid. However, it is recommended to take it for a shorter time as it removes too much stomach acid, which we need for bone density. I was recently switched to Pepcid, and I was scared the pain would resume - it did, but I'm getting through it. It's a must when medication can adversely affect important needs of your body. Protonix was a great management tool for me. Highly recommend for shorter-term needs."

10 / 10
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  • Kathy
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • August 14, 2023

For GERD "In 2020, I went from 125 to 89 because everything I ate made me throw up. I was put on Protonix and immediately started feeling better. Later, I was diagnosed with GERD. No insurance until 3 years later and now, through all the testing, discovered I have a large hiatal diaphragmatic hernia. It is the reason for my GERD, and the surgeon believes I won't have it after surgery. I realized how well it worked when they took me off for 7 days to do a manometry & PH probe. I started throwing up all my food again after 3 days. My hope is that after the surgery, I can get off the Protonix."

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  • dalepmr
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • May 25, 2013

For Stomach Ulcer "Works so well I forget I have a problem until I forget to take it, then I'm reminded the next day...ugh!"

10 / 10
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77 Report
  • SMSur
  • May 11, 2013

For Stomach Ulcer "I had 23 bleeding peptic, duodenal, and esophageal ulcers and GERD. This is helping."

9 / 10
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70 Report
  • bambam
  • April 7, 2013

For Erosive Esophagitis "The only thing to work for me so far."

10 / 10
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57 Report
  • lisa
  • October 27, 2008

For GERD "Tried everything, been on Protonix for 5 years. I can now eat anything as spicy and as hot as I like, and do not have acid reflux."

10 / 10
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71 Report
  • Cdicr...
  • December 9, 2008

For Stomach Ulcer "Using this medication reduced the bloated feeling I had. It also reduced my appetite, caused by the air pockets, before I was using this drug. Great medicine, with no side effects that I am aware of."

10 / 10
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70 Report
  • sieeko
  • February 1, 2011

For GERD "This medication worked for me, reducing the stomach acid significantly. It is worth a try for anyone suffering from GERD."

10 / 10
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60 Report
  • ly2620
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • July 5, 2017

For GERD "I've had GERD and Gastroparesis for over 10 years. Protonix is the only medicine I've found to help control the GERD. As long as I take it twice a day as instructed I do not have acid reflux."

10 / 10
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36 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.