Sometimes after I take it I get heartburn so bad and it just burns all the way up my throat. I feel like I'm going to die from it. Sometimes I throw up and it really hurts. Has this happened to anyone else? How do you prevent it? Or deal with it?
Anyone get extremely bad heartburn with Prozac? Burns throat so bad!
Question posted by lennongurl on 8 Dec 2015
Last updated on 23 August 2023 by Jjdipz
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78 Answers
Jjdipz
23 Aug 2023
I've been on prozac for 2 and a half years. One day I started to experience this and ended up throwing up. It began to happen every single time I swallowed that pill. I was taking capsules and switched to tablets and it went away. I'm convinced the capsules caused my issue because I ran out of tablets and tried to take a left over capsule I had and the issue came right back. Not sure if this is widespread but it caused me so much relief to find out that the capsule was what was irritating me.
WildcatVet
19 July 2023
"Common (1% to 10% of users): Abdominal pain, constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence, gastrointestinal disorder, vomiting"
As with any side effects, this should be brought to the attention of the prescribing doctor for professional advice. You can ask your pharmacist for recommendations of OTC's that may help until you talk with your doctor.
Cil123
19 July 2023
Wow, thank you for posting this!! I have dealt with this randomly for years, including right this second. It hurts so bad. I’ve tried baking soda, pepto, ice water, sitting up, laying down, nothing helps. It’s on fire. Any tips??
TiffanyCMA2023
23 June 2023
I’m so happy to come across this question!!! I have been on and off Prozac for a few years and I’ve experienced this reflux/throat and sternum pain 5 times so far, including tonight. It’s awful! It last an hour or more each time. I’ve wondered if I have a smaller esophagus than normal as I’ve had other pills get halfway stuck often but not with this side effect! The pain occurs within 15 minutes of swallowing capsule. Totally going to try the chin to neck swallowing method next time. But I’m also considering ordering empty gelatin capsules to put the Prozac capsule in before swallowing as maybe it would give it more time to get down further. Who knows.
TiffanyCMA2023
24 June 2023
Oh and it’s called fluoxetine-induced oesophagitis
masso
24 June 2023
From Drugs.com:
Prozac (fluoxetine):
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Aphthous stomatitis, buccoglossal syndrome, colitis, dysphagia, eructation, esophagitis, gastritis, gastroenteritis, gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage, glossitis, gum hemorrhage, hyperchlorhydria, increased salivation, melena, mouth ulceration, stomach ulcer, stomatitis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Acute abdominal syndrome, bloody diarrhea, duodenal ulcer, enteritis, esophageal pain, esophageal ulcer, fecal incontinence, hematemesis, intestinal obstruction, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, salivary gland enlargement, stomach ulcer hemorrhage, tongue edema
masso
24 June 2023
Gastrointestinal
A study of 26,005 antidepressant users has reported 3.6 times more upper GI bleeding episodes with the use of SSRIs relative to the population who did not receive antidepressant medications. Upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding was observed in 3.9 times more frequently in patients receiving this drug.[Ref]
Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 29%), diarrhea (up to 18%), dry mouth (up to 12%)
Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence, gastrointestinal disorder, vomiting
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Aphthous stomatitis, buccoglossal syndrome, colitis, dysphagia, eructation, esophagitis, gastritis, gastroenteritis, gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage, glossitis, gum hemorrhage, hyperchlorhydria, increased salivation, melena, mouth ulceration, stomach ulcer, stomatitis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Acute abdominal syndrome, bloody diarrhea, duodenal ulcer, enteritis, esophageal pain, esophageal ulcer, fecal incontinence, hematemesis, intestinal obstruction, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, salivary gland enlargement, stomach ulcer hemorrhage, tongue edema
Frequency not reported: Anal/esophageal/gastric/upper and lower GI/hemorrhoidal/peritoneal/rectal hemorrhage, bleeding esophageal varices, enterocolitis, esophageal/duodenal/gastric ulcer hemorrhage, GI bleeding, gingival/mouth bleeding, hematochezia, hemorrhagic diarrhea/diverticulitis/gastritis, intraabdominal hemorrhage[Ref]
Nnuummbb
7 May 2023
This used to happen to me until I started doing something different. Now it no longer happens. Since fluoxetine is a capsule and not a heavy pill, taking it a certain way will help. Since capsules float in liquid... when you are taking a capsule pill put your chin down to your chest when swallowing it. This will put the capsule closer to the back of the throat allowing it to go down all the way. By tilting your head up to the sky the capsule is behind the teeth causing you to drink more water and risking it getting stuck. Since I started taking fluoxetine with my chin pointed to my chest and then swallowing it with water, ive noticed it goes down smoother, quicker, and does not get stuck causing a chemical burn in the esophagus and I dont feel that awful burning we are all talking about. This is how i do it. Put water in your mouth. Add medicine in water in mouth. Tilt head down, like you are looking down. You will feel pill get closer to your throat entry and simply swallow. Drink more water to flush it down. Boom... no more burns!!
ProzacBurns
6 May 2023
You are absolutely right. I've had this discussion numerous times throughout the last few years on different websites. This issue seems to be related to a few different Prozac capsules on the market. I've experienced it with at least two different brands of 20mg capsules. I deal with it by avoiding capsules as much as possible, though there have been times when I've taken my chances and sometimes with no negative consequences, but other times with extreme esophagus pain, chest pressure, and heartburn for hours. I completely relate to those with concerns about permanent damage being caused.
My first advice is to get off of capsules, you can do everything the right way(eating before, drinking plenty of water, etc.) and still end up with extreme pain. In fairness, I have had capsule prescriptions that did not result in pain, but rather than playing esophagal Russian roulette , it's likely wiser to avoid it altogether.
I can't help but feel this problem is larger than the extremely small percentage of people the makers claim it affects. Hopefully, the right people take this issue up, and there is a future class action suit. I absolutely believe it is warranted.
note: I have been taking Prozac for over 30 years.
WildcatVet
5 May 2023
As I said in my comment below, why do you continue taking it without discussing the problem with a professional?
You don't have to "deal with it".
bahamas18
4 May 2023
Yes! I have experienced the same issues! I have taken a 20mg prozac for years, but last summer my doctor added a 10mg, and it is a different color. Ever since taking the additional dosage, I have had stomach upset, and burning - including burning up my esophagus. My daughter suggested taking the pills with applesauce, which helped. However, in reading other sites, it seems to be one certain manufacturer with blue pills. I asked my pharmacist to change the manufacturer of my 10mg to the same manufacturer of the 20 mg. Haven't tried the new pills yet, because I am afraid to. I believe that I may have esophageal damage due to this pill.
Nnuummbb
7 May 2023
hey... i know the feeling!! I started taking my fluoxetine capsule differently and i get no more burns. Ill tell you how. First put water in your mouth. This is important as you will see below. Add capsule and tilt your head down like you are looking at the floor/feet. Then swallow. Since capsules float, tilting your head down, putting your chin on your chest allows the capaule to go further back in your mouth closer to your throat where as if you tilt your head up towards ceiling the capsule will be behind your teeth causing you to drink more water trying to force it down and risking it getting stuck. But since I have been swallowing capsules this way, they dont get stuck anymore. When you swallow it, swallow kinda hard if you know what I mean. Then wash it down with more water. Mine goes down smoothly everytime I take it with my chin pointed to my chest. I hope this helps, and get that discomfort to go away. Those chemical burns are no fun.
Best reguards/wishes
Rebecca
WildcatVet
9 April 2023
I would recommend that you consult with your pharmacist who can recommend OTC remedies or with your prescribing physician about a possible change of medication.
There's no need to suffer in silence!
TRIPLEOG60
8 April 2023
If you are taking the blue capsule which is one 20mg fluoxetine it will make you feel like you have ingested battery acid. I was taking 2 of those blue capsules for 40mg of fluoxetine. It used to burn my stomach so bad that I thought I was going to have to go to the hospital! I told my pharmacist, and she changed me to two of the smaller white capsules with a thin green band on them. Never take those blue capsules in the morning. Take them with lunch or after supper after you have had plenty to eat. I ate a huge breakfast one morning and took those blue capsules and I felt like fire was in my stomach again. Please tell your pharmacist. There's something in the blue capsules that will cause immense pain and burning. I do not suffer from that since I requested a change in manufacturing companies. I can not empathize with you more. I would drink water and vomit it out and still got no relief.
The only thing that barely helped was Pepcid complete, and I had to chew up way more than we are supposed to. Prozac is a great antidepressant so don't give up on it. Another thing that brings mild relief is baking soda, one tsp in 8 oz water. Good luck!
mythroatburns
7 April 2023
I’m experiencing this right now. I have taken 60mg of fluoxetine for years and this month I have started to get extremely painful heartburn to the point it is stopping me working and driving because I can’t concentrate on anything over the pain. It happens no matter which capsules I take- I have tried the white 60mg capsules, the fully green 20mgs and the white and green 20mgs. Nothing helps!
kjhaase
31 Jan 2023
I've been Googling trying to figure out which one of my medications is causing this and I think I've found the culprit. No joke- it hurts SO BAD, like nearly unbearable. I take two 20mg blue capsules every morning. Drinking water, eating, nor antacids help so I guess I'll be talking to my pharmacist. The general consensus seems to be switching to to tablet form? I'm so sick of taking all these medicines.
TRIPLEOG60
24 Oct 2022
If you are taking the 40mg blue capsule I swear it has battery acid in it. I talked with my pharmacist and he started giving me the 20mg. I take 2 of those made by a different drug company and I haven't had any more problems. I used to eat pepcid complete and drink baking soda in water to try to neutralize the qcid and it didn't work. Those big blue 40mg have some filler in them that's incompatible with life!
Laceylee62191
23 Oct 2022
I am trying to figure out if this burn I’m having in my throat is from or Prozac or acid reflux…I was on 40mg (orange and blue) and also the 20mg (blue and white) and I have even tried the liquid but it tasted like acid…just recently got changed to the white tablets 20mg that are oval and say l334 I believe…has anyone since changed
To a new medication and the symptoms went away?
Prozacnation6257
1 Oct 2022
This only started happening in the past few years for me and it’s actually become unbearable. I’m currently taking 40mg capsules (orange and teal) and they are manufactured by AURO. Definitely going to inquire about other manufacturers
Related topics
Further information
- Prozac uses and safety info
- Prozac prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Prozac (detailed)
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