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Nexium User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

Nexium has an average rating of 6.2 out of 10 from a total of 212 reviews on Drugs.com. 51% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 33% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Nexium

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Che...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 21, 2016

For GERD "I took Nexium for all of three days. In that time, I found it to be extremely effective in managing my reflux/stomach symptoms. However, within a day, I noticed severe anxiety surfacing. I take Aropax (paroxetine) for depression, and this is not on the list of medications that are counterindicative. I do note that being magnesium deficient is, but my doctor would not care enough to know that I have always had this deficiency. I do not normally suffer from headaches but began to have gentle pains in my head, getting worse over time. The head pain and anxiety lasted as long as the effect on my stomach, which was a number of days after I stopped taking the medication."

3 / 10
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28 Report
  • LPR...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 7, 2022

For GERD "I was diagnosed with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in 2018, in my mid-40s. This surprised me because I had zero problems with reflux in my life, and in fact, never experienced heartburn ever. The doctor advised I take Nexium for my LPR, as well as abruptly cut out caffeine. The result was disastrous. I abruptly developed a crippling anxiety, depression, and anhedonia (lack of ability to feel pleasure) problem, about a week later. I never had any of these conditions prior to taking Nexium and cutting out the caffeine! After about a few weeks, I tried quitting first the Nexium and then later bringing back the caffeine. A few days after doing both, my psychological condition rapidly improved. However, at the time, I attributed my issues to being from caffeine withdrawal, and not the Nexium. Wrong! I ended up being given Nexium again for something different, and the anxiety started to return! I quickly quit it, and went back to normal. If it makes you feel anxious, quit it now!"

1 / 10
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13 Report
  • imp...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 8, 2016

For Erosive Esophagitis "I have been with horrible chest pressure for the last 2 weeks. Impossible to sleep. I have lost around 6 lb. Today I went to the doctor's office and she sent me Nexium. She told me I have esophagitis. With just the first pill, all my pains have disappeared! I hope it continues this way, as I can enjoy life again."

10 / 10
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29 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Dee...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 17, 2022

For GERD "Was put on this medication for GERD, took it for 5 days. I do already battle anxiety and depression, and since taking these meds, my anxiety and depression have gone through the roof!!! Felt suicidal and am now booked into a psych hospital. None of my doctors took me seriously when I told them that that was the effect it had on me. Stopped taking it for 3 days, and anxiety decreased. Was forced to take it again yesterday, and I ended up not being able to sleep and woke up with anxiety again. I wish doctors would do more research on these meds and not just simply follow the leaflet on side effects."

1 / 10
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12 Report
  • Joh...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • November 9, 2014

For GERD "I have been using Miralax and psyllium every night for about a year and wanted to try Linzess, but my doctor was hesitant to let me try it. Possible side effects. Anyway, after some research, I realized the Nexium I have been using causes a magnesium deficiency. So now I take a multi-mineral capsule and a 500 mg magnesium capsule three times a day with meals. I have been able to cut back on my prescribed medications and have some hope that I will be able to get off them completely by adjusting my mineral intake. Try this because your bowels cannot function without enough minerals."

4 / 10
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31 Report

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  • Smi...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • November 10, 2016

For Barrett's Esophagus "I've taken one Nexium 40 mg for 13 years. It has been very helpful. Could only eat baby food when diagnosed. When my health insurance said I had to use the generic brand, I tried it for five days and began having very bad episodes of heartburn. They have agreed to pay for the name brand."

10 / 10
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23 Report
  • Bru...
  • November 10, 2014

For Barrett's Esophagus "Prior use of prescription Prevacid did not provide relief for 24 hrs. 1/day 40 mg Nexium provides about 30 hr no acid sensations. My only side effect of Nexium is my stool usually has the consistency of peanut butter."

9 / 10
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30 Report
  • Anonymous
  • February 12, 2012

For GERD "I have had GERD since I was 19 years old. For some reason, I eat ketchup with everything. I am 31 now. I've used Nexium in the past, and my acid reflux always went away. Recently, I've had upper back pains, cold chills, stomach and heartburns, and the worst belly pain ever after I ate. The doctor sent me for a blood test, which came back negative for any infections. I was placed on Nexium. Within 2 days, I felt much better. I would recommend this for anyone. Wish I had tried it before I did the ultrasound of my kidney, liver, and gallbladder, together with a chest X-ray. I guess you've got to pay a high price for a good product like Nexium. But I don't mind. I feel much better now."

10 / 10
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32 Report
  • KPa...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 12, 2019

For GERD "I was prescribed this for a possible stomach ulcer and GERD. Within 30 minutes of taking this, I had sharp chest pains when inhaling. The ER doctor said it was a panic attack - it wasn’t, not my usual panic attack symptoms. My doctor told me I was her second patient to experience that with the drug. Never took it again. Was then prescribed Zantac without issues, but it is being recalled now. Not sure what else to take besides Tums."

3 / 10
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16 Report
  • GER...
  • May 20, 2011

For NSAID-Induced Gastric Ulcer "It helps so much. Before this, my life was miserable with the morning nausea, then vomiting tons of acid straight from the stomach. It is not a way to live. We need to be grateful we have resources such as Nexium and other options to help and to treat these conditions. I know for sure in my case!"

10 / 10
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32 Report
  • Anonymous
  • June 18, 2009

For GERD "Nexium seemed to be the answer for the first 3 years, but lately it has fallen short, and all the pain has returned with vengeance. There always were the side effects of headaches, gas, and elevated blood pressure."

4 / 10
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33 Report
  • Anx...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 12, 2021

For GERD "After having heartburn, my doctor just automatically prescribed this to me. Let me tell you something! This is the worst thing I could’ve put in my mouth. My anxiety was off the roof! I ended up in the ER because I thought I was having a heart attack. I’ve always suffered from anxiety, but this time it’s worse. Burning palm sensation, weird sensations in my brain along with pressure. My vision feels foggy and blurry, and I have arm and leg pain, and depersonalization. The list goes on. It’s been almost a month, and I’m still suffering. I feel terrible. I wanted to quit my job and stay in bed! Although this may work for others, it can have bad effects on some. Use with caution!"

1 / 10
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12 Report
  • Elf...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • November 16, 2016

For Duodenal Ulcer Prophylaxis "I was prescribed Nexium 40 mg approximately 2 years ago at our local hospital after being diagnosed as having a quantity of small duodenal ulcers. No side effects were evident for the first week or so, but then I started to feel aches and pains all too easily, later developing mood swings, quite extreme at times. I informed my doctor, who dismissed my claims. (I do not lie!) After just under two years of taking Nexium, I decided to take things into my own hands. I discovered Slippery Elm capsules. I am now into my fifth month of taking only one capsule a day, having weaned myself off the Nexium, interspersed with Slippery Elm in the first week. I now have no side effects, and with care have little or no acid indigestion."

7 / 10
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22 Report
  • saj...
  • August 10, 2011

For Helicobacter Pylori Infection "Best for curing H. pylori. Nexium 20 mg half an hour before breakfast and half an hour before dinner. Also, my doctor suggested I use Frisium only at nighttime before sleep. Within 2 days, I started feeling better, and I used it for 1 month, but Frisium I only took for one week."

10 / 10
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33 Report
  • Ash...
  • July 28, 2015

For GERD "I have now been using Nexium 24 for only 4 days, but I am seeing the effects already! I have been able to enjoy many foods I have had to avoid in the past with little to no burn. I absolutely have hope that Nexium is the answer to all my problems and that in time it will eliminate the problems altogether. I was lucky enough to receive my Nexium free from a mission, and now I'm a dedicated customer. Thank you so much for this awesome product!"

10 / 10
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24 Report
  • Pau...
  • March 8, 2015

For GERD "I suffered severe pain from GERD that I had to be hospitalized. The next day, I bought the Nexium 24hr, not because I saw it was the top-selling brand at Walmart, but because my mom said to get Prilosec, lol. Anyway, within minutes, the pain from my GERD disappeared. One con I've had so far, though. The medicine states 24hrs, for me, it's roughly 18-20 hrs, and I start feeling the acid again. So keep that in mind."

10 / 10
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25 Report
  • MIK...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • March 12, 2024

For Barrett's Esophagus "Nexium medication has made a huge difference to my life. I no longer worry about causing painful reflux when I choose something on a menu. It has helped me stabilize my Barrett's esophagus to a point where I only need one endoscopy every year."

10 / 10
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5 Report
  • Tob...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • April 6, 2019

For Barrett's Esophagus "Diagnosed with Barrett's 10 months ago and on 20 mg Nexium once daily per MD. Barrett's less than 1 cm. Have changed to a plant-based diet. Some constipation issues, but can be tolerated. Also have osteopenia and just finished Fosamax. Next endoscopy in August. Hopefully, Nexium dosage is sufficient. Consuming protein, potassium, vitamin D & K, calcium, plus exercise for my bones, so I hope this helps."

7 / 10
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14 Report
  • Anonymous
  • September 7, 2009

For NSAID-Induced Gastric Ulcer "This medicine works very well for me. I highly recommend it, as it dramatically reduces the amount of acid in my stomach after a gastric ulcer bleed, which, after being repaired, I do NOT want to experience that pain again."

10 / 10
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28 Report
  • Anonymous
  • May 29, 2008

For GERD "I have very severe acid reflux with esophageal ulcers. I have tried tons of other medications, and this is the only one that has given me relief without needing to supplement with antacids! I do experience headaches as a side effect, but they are mild and worth the relief."

10 / 10
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28 Report
  • Bbw...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 24, 2016

For GERD "I have severe acid reflux, and my doctor recommended Nexium. I took it for only 5 days and experienced no difference whatsoever. Absolutely no change. I still have severe acids, and to be honest, the drug seemed to make my symptoms worse. As well, I am 100% sure it interacts with antidepressants and lowers their effectiveness! So if you are taking an SSRI, please be aware!"

1 / 10
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21 Report
  • Gar...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • September 13, 2022

For GERD "I've been on and off Nexium since the beginning of 2020. My GERD symptoms can get really bad if I don't follow a strict diet and a certain way to eat, which is small portions and chew slowly. Sometimes I don't follow those rules, so I would need Nexium as soon as the GERD gets bad. Nexium does work for my worst symptoms, but I think this is the last time I will take these tablets because it's definitely the reason why I was feeling so weird every time I took them. My side effects I would get are bloating, constipation, racing thoughts, mind pops, and VERY creepy dreams and thoughts. I can't wait until the drug is completely out of my system. My tips for people struggling with GERD: eat healthy, exercise, lower stress and anxiety, limit full cream, acidic food, and spicy food, eat small meals, chew your food A LOT, and don't drink liquids with food (this is my main cause of GERD). Avoid Nexium. It has so many lawsuits, yet it's still on shelves in stores."

2 / 10
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8 Report
  • Dan...
  • August 26, 2020

For Duodenal Ulcer Prophylaxis "It is wonderful for your stomach. I was on it for 23 years. After two, I started to have what the doctor called panic attacks. Blah blah blah, tests and psychiatrist later, Nexium removes the magnesium out of your bones. Magnesium controls the release of muscles, heartbeat, swallowing. I had become severely hypo (low) magnesium, and no one ever caught it on a test until the last seizure. The guy in the ambulance who had seen me before said there’s something really wrong. When we got to the hospital, I heard them argue with the nurse about magnesium not being in a panel. Make sure you check his magnesium, the phlebotomist said, it is in a panel. It was not, 23 years of hypo magnesium and a two-dollar lab test. I googled it, side effects, severe hypo magnesium. What a nightmare!!!"

1 / 10
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11 Report
  • Ano...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • July 2, 2025

For GERD "I have been taking Nexium for 20 years with great success. I have just lately been having some issues with chest pain that goes into my back after eating. I noticed that my provider switched up to a delayed-release capsule. Not sure if this could make a difference. I also have to get B12 injections every 2 weeks and my iron levels fluctuate. I also take magnesium and potassium as I am not absorbing these things. Any information would be helpful, please."

6 / 10
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1 Report
  • Anonymous
  • January 25, 2010

For GERD "I originally took this for three months a year ago. It worked great during the time with minimal side effects. Went off of it with no problem and had no heartburn for quite a long time. When I had an acid reflux episode last fall, I took it for about a week, where all these weird side effects happened. Developed lower right back pain, joints kept cracking when moving, and the occasional stomach pain in the lower left abdomen. Am disappointed since it was the only thing that really helped my reflux."

6 / 10
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23 Report

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