Omeprazole and Nausea: What Users Say

• Don...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2020

For GERD "I started experiencing tightness in the middle of my chest with constant belching and a pinching stomach pain in my upper right abdomen. Dr. diagnosed me with acid reflux and put me on Prilosec OTC 20mg for 14 days. I just started taking the pills and man... my anxiety was 10x worse. I was anxious, heart racing, nauseated, stomach pain, brain fog, blurred vision and overall I felt like crying and just so awful. Please talk to your doctor for other alternative medicine. I don’t recommend taking these."

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2021

For GERD "Took 40 mg once a day before breakfast. Noticed some anxiety on Day 5. By Day 11, I was completely exhausted. I had brain fog, weight loss, nausea, blurry vision, and extreme anxiety. It has been 3 weeks since I quit this medicine. Brain fog has subsided, however, anxiety keeps coming and going. Hang in there, stay tough. This medicine will take its course and time to wash out completely from your system. I am hoping to fully recover in the near future. Exercise and stay positive."

• sum...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 10, 2020

For GERD "I suffer from extreme chest pain related to GERD-induced esophageal spasms. Omeprazole is the only medicine that I've been given that can even come close to alleviating my reflux and therefore my pain. The problem though is that this medication makes me so sick I can hardly function. It causes nausea, dizziness, brain fog, muscle fatigue, and eventually leads to a kind of painful swelling lump feeling at the base of my throat that can be highly distracting. It's horrible but so is the chest pain from reflux. So, when the pain gets unbearable, I take the Omeprazole and stop when it makes me sick (usually around day 8 or 9), then I quit the medication until the chest pain again becomes unbearable. It's a vicious, awful, horrible cycle between pain and illness. If you can avoid this medication, do!"

• Tri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2020

For Indigestion "I've been taking Omeprazole for over a week now. I had bad indigestion that lasted 4 days, and the doctor told me to take the medication for 2 weeks. Right now, I can't stop belching. Anything I eat gives me so much gas (bloating too). I'm starting to think after reading these reviews that all my symptoms are because of Omeprazole. I also feel nauseous before sleep and have this empty stomach feeling even after I ate (I think it's all the gas). I want to stop taking it, but I don't want to get worse like some people are saying."

• Sus...
• October 23, 2019

For GERD "I started to have problems with swallowing and felt like I had a lump in my throat. Constantly had to clear it in order to complete a sentence. I was experiencing heartburn. I went to an ENT who put a camera up my nose and into my throat and said all was good, but I have GERD. I had never heard of this until now. He suggested I take 40mg of Omeprazole every day and see how it works. So, it did help with the issue with my throat, but the side effects from it are horrible. I have been nauseous, feel like I am going to vomit, dizzy, shakes, chills, panic attacks, rapid heart beat, severe anxiety, and severe insomnia. I have tried taking it for three weeks and as the days go by, the side effects make me feel so bad I cannot function. I AM NOT GOING TO CONTINUE WITH THIS PILL!!! IT IS HORRIBLE!!!!! It literally has ruined me. I am hoping it clears my system quickly. I feel horrible."

• Nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2019

For GERD "I am 26 and have dealt with heartburn and acid reflux for many years. Unfortunately, my mom deals with it too. I have been on this medication for two weeks. My heartburn is gone, but I now have some horrible side effects. Dizziness, nausea, muscle pain, vertigo, blurred vision, anxiety/paranoia, and more. I had a full-blown panic attack, where I felt drunk. I still feel terribly anxious a day later. I don’t recommend this at all. I have decided to stop taking it and will be discussing more natural options with my doctor. I would much rather have had heartburn than experience these awful side effects."

• dan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 8, 2023

For GERD "I've been taking this wretched drug for nearly a year now and only just realized it's causing all these insane side effects that have sent me to the ER multiple times. Since taking this drug, I've had horrific pains in my shoulder and left side chest (6 occasions attended ER due to thinking it was a heart attack or something), tinnitus and general ear infection/problems in both ears randomly, nausea and dizziness on occasion, liver pain/disease which is getting worse despite doing everything to make it better, itchiness on my scalp and back, pain in my ribs and sides, stiff neck, increased nervousness and anxiety, memory isn't as sharp anymore, a constant feeling of impending doom and a multitude of other horrible side effects. Having been reading all these comments on various forums recently due to a particularly bad few weeks of pain and misery, it's clear that omeprazole has had a big part to play in ruining my life this last year."

• Swi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2020

For Indigestion "Omeprazole caused extreme anxiety, feeling like my life is a struggle, panic attacks, weight loss (10 kg in 5 weeks), palpitations, chest and arm pain on the left side, brain fog, weakness and chills in legs and arms, dizziness, nausea, general fatigue, numbness, flatulence, joint pain (hip) after gentle walks, forgetfulness, fear of eating. I have stopped cold turkey after having come across reviews of Omeprazole and Protonix, which I took as well. Took Omeprazole for 2 weeks, got these symptoms, told the doctor who changed the med to be pantoprazole (Protonix). The last 2.5 months or so have been the worst of my life so far, it has taken a toll on my family and work life too. The doctor thought I might need antidepressants given all the anxiety, but after around a week or so of stopping these, I am starting to feel a bit better. So, I am not going to take anti-anxiety related meds. It is a vicious cycle, PPIs cause depression, and then you take depression meds that are difficult to stop!"

• Dan...
• March 19, 2020

For Gastritis/Duodenitis "I started taking omeprazole pill at 20 mg dose. It took a while to take some effect but still had breakthrough burning. One and a half weeks into taking this pill, the horrendous side effects kicked in. I can’t even describe how horrible this medicine made me feel. I literally had the worst nausea imaginable. My stomach would literally spasm, convulse, and tighten. Body fatigue to the point of nearly passing out at work. I’ve never felt so sickly in my entire life. I lost my appetite. I lost weight drastically (20 lbs in the span of 2 weeks). My doctor told me to try 40 mg because of the breakthrough burning, and that’s when I nearly checked myself into the ER. My coworkers were very concerned with me not looking or feeling like my typical self. That’s when I stopped taking the pill cold turkey. Within a couple of days, I regained my appetite and started eating and feeling better with no more nausea and stomach tightness. Honestly, beware of this pill."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2021

For GERD "Was put on 20 mg of this for about 2 1/2 months after experiencing intense daily heartburn and acid reflux. I had taken it before for only a week, and it helped, so the doctor prescribed it again. I have never felt what has been happening to me before. I stopped in May, and it is now the end of September. Anxiety, shortness of breath, joint pain, brain fog, and inability to focus my thoughts. Feeling unable to control my thoughts. Nausea, discomfort, fear, and hopelessness. When I first stopped, symptoms would be gone for a few days, then back. Around August, I would go weeks without symptoms, but about a week before my period, they would start coming back. Began seeing a functional medicine doctor who provided me with vitamin D, a trace mineral supplement, and iron, which I started taking in August. So afraid this is going to happen for the rest of my life, and I am a single mother. Any other woman experience an uptick in their symptoms around their period? This is a terrifying way to feel."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2020

Omeprazole for GERD "I've had GERD since 1999 and, in 2016, I was being tested for all sorts of GI conditions because of the symptoms I was experiencing. My GI doc at the time told me to take Prilosec every day to control nausea and acid reflux. I took it for less than a week and had to discontinue because, every time I ate, I felt like I had a brick sitting in my stomach. It felt like the food would just sit there, undigested, and it was very painful. I've done better with other PPIs."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2018

For GERD "Have been taking the prescription of this drug for a week now after having been on rabeprazole 20mg for 4 weeks with no relief. And for the most part, the omeprazole has taken away that stuck in your throat feeling. The downside is that the nausea feeling is terrible, and I get stomach pain, something that I didn’t have with the previous PPI. Anyone else having bad nausea?"

• Jef...
• November 3, 2019

For GERD "I was just prescribed omeprazole this week. The first day I took it, I thought it was magic. Suddenly, my terrible, nightly heartburn was completely gone. Unfortunately, the side effects are numerous, immediate, and simply not worth it! It gave me a constant headache, messed up my sleep, made me feel a constant lingering nausea, and made me feel emotional emptiness, anxiety, and sluggishness. I usually take ibuprofen for headaches, and it works very well. It would not touch the headaches caused by omeprazole. Also, my normal remedies for feeling anxiety or stress did not work at all. I have a few go-to substances that usually totally wipe it out. Neither worked. So after very little sleep for three days, a constant headache, feeling like I needed to throw up, and a major increase in anxiety along with empty and hopeless feelings, I have stopped taking the omeprazole. It is back to antacids for me and some needed diet changes. This stuff is horrible!!!"

• MKa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2019

For GERD "This medication, omeprazole, was/is awful. Do not take. I’ve been taking it daily for almost three weeks because it does help with acid reflux-at first. After a few weeks of taking it, I noticed severe night sweats, stomach pain, blurred vision, dizziness, vertigo, nausea, vomiting-the list goes on. I had to be off work for two days because I was so weak/tired from this medication I couldn’t function. I didn’t feel like eating anything or drinking anything because I was afraid I would vomit it all back up. Your head feels terrible, worst migraine I’ve ever experienced, body rash... severe fatigue. I am going to stop taking it starting tomorrow and see how it goes. When I contacted my doctor, she seemed to think it was not a big deal. This pill is miserable. Do not take this pill."

• Lan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2019

For GERD "I’ve been on this medication for 3 weeks, and it helped a lot with my acid reflux symptoms (lump in throat feeling). However, during the second week, I started noticing my mood changing and becoming more anxious/paranoid. Then, in the third week, I had muscle aches and panic attacks. I stopped taking this 2 days ago and am still feeling dizzy, anxious, and nauseous. Anxiety/Depression sufferers, beware of this medication, as it definitely heightens them. I will now look for more natural solutions to GERD, such as a healthier diet and smaller portions. This medication is not worth the side effects, in my opinion."

• RDa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2019

For GERD "I’m currently taking this drug for acid reflux and only took three pills so far, 40 mg. HORRIBLE SIDE EFFECTS!! Nausea, hard to swallow, anxiety is so bad right now! Can’t wait until it leaves my system!!"

• Ady...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 16, 2020

Omeprazole for GERD "I started on Zantac and then went to Prilosec and Nexium. I was fine for years, but now I am having side effects I can't live with. After taking one 20 mg pill, I got chills, nausea, and felt very tired. I have a hiatal hernia and not sure what to do."

• kle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2022

For Hiatal Hernia "I had the camera by mouth, told that I have a small hiatal hernia. I've been taking lansoprazole for 20 mg twice a day and was feeling so bad. I had nausea, muscle pain, headache, anxiety, and after I told the doctor, he told me to change to omeprazole, which the first days it was okay, but after 1 week it started to cause so much anxiety, numbness in my foot, sweating all over my body. It's so horrible. It still doesn’t work, and I still have the symptoms as before in my stomach. I've been on PPI medication for 1 month, nothing has changed, just getting worse."

• Ace...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2020

For Gastritis/Duodenitis "Took 20 mg omeprazole a day for 5 days. I changed from a healthy, happy human being to a sad, thin, nauseous shell. I've lost half a stone and struggle to get out of bed. My heart races every morning until late afternoon. I am constantly exhausted and have lost interest in everything I once enjoyed. Standing in the shower is like a day's work. Took my last one 2 days ago and still feel like rubbish."

• Sue...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2021

For Stomach Ulcer "Was on Prilosec for two months. I started having gas and rumbling intestines. I quit cold turkey. Didn't realize that would cause horrible withdrawal. It caused lack of appetite, (6 months out I'm still not back to normal, and just now gaining a little bit of my weight back) insomnia, anxiety attacks, high BP, nausea, etc. Too much to list. Truly bad for me! I'm sorry I ever took it! I've lost work, sleep, and just enjoying life because of that pill. Please be careful! Wish I could turn back time."

• Anonymous
• January 22, 2012

Omeprazole "I took this medicine for an acidity problem, especially overnight. After 10 days, acidity feels less, but I had an adverse drug reaction: fever, joint pain in my hips, lower back pain, duodenal discomfort, diarrhea, fatigue, and some side effects: headache and nausea."

• La ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 1, 2020

For Stomach Ulcer "I was prescribed omeprazole following treatment for a stomach ulcer, worked like a charm almost instantly with no more stomach pain, acid reflux, and indigestion, fantastic! I thought, however, as time has gone on (9 months), I feel absolutely rubbish!! My head feels 'dead' with feelings of dizziness, I get tingling sensations in my arms and legs, very lethargic, every bone in my body seems to ache, bloated stomach, nausea, and I am in an almost constant state of anxiety with mild bouts of depression and panic attacks, wish I had never taken it and waiting to speak to my doctor to come off it. It was great for my stomach at the time, but the longer I have used it, the worse my well-being has been."

• Sas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2020

For Gastritis/Duodenitis "I was diagnosed with acid reflux and gastritis, and my doctor prescribed me omeprazole 40 mgs. This might be the worst medicine I have ever taken. It did absolutely nothing to help my problems, and it gave me the worst side effects: nausea, stomach pain, gas, very nervous, insomnia. This is the worst medicine! I thought I had IBS, and my doctor even diagnosed me, but I stopped taking this medicine and my IBS magically went away. Do not take this medicine... I would rather just take Tums."

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2019

For GERD "I was prescribed this after being diagnosed with GERD. I currently take Adderall XR and Lamotrigine. I've taken antacids with both medications before without any issues, but after my second dose of omeprazole, I felt awful. Not only did it feel like it completely disabled the Lamotrigine, causing me to feel dizzy and like my entire body was made of static, but it also gave me pretty intense nausea. I tried it for 4 days, and it was like having the flu for 3 of those 4 days. All of those days, I had to take ibuprofen or Tylenol, several antacids, anti-nausea chews or Emetrol, and Zantac, and that only lasted a few hours of comfort until it would come back. These pills are the worst thing ever to come out of a bottle. I'd rather take Zantac the rest of my life than take this stuff ever again. The worst part is I was told this wouldn't interact with anti-seizure meds, and it was beyond wrong."

• har...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 6, 2022

For GERD "I've been on this drug for a few years now for acid reflux. I've never felt completely well since I've been on it and wondered why my life had spiraled downhill. Thought it was just an age thing, so I just kept taking it. Now reading these reviews, I know why I haven't felt well now. I always have acid reflux and feel it in my throat, so that's why I always have taken them. In the last few weeks, I have felt really rough with it. Nausea, daily aches and pains in all my bones, anxiety, which I have NEVER suffered with, sinus and filled ears, numbness and tingling in my arms, brain fog, which worried me a little as I work with dementia patients. Still, I didn't think it was omeprazole doing it. I feel sick every morning after taking it, so I didn't take one this morning and have felt completely different today, fingers crossed. I'm going to try a small amount of diluted bicarb and natural things from now on. It just goes to show how these drugs and similar can pull your life to pieces."