Pantoprazole and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ren...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2021

Pantoprazole for GERD "Prescribed Protonix by my doctor, 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, abdominal 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."

• Dav...
• September 29, 2018

For Barrett's Esophagus "Diagnosed with GERD years ago, was on Prevacid every day for a few months. Then as needed. This year, surgery to remove melanoma off the neck, so put all the way under with a general anesthetic. After that, I started having severe heartburn again with stabbing back, can’t sleep kind. They scoped me. Colon fine, but have Barrett’s esophagus. Back on Prevacid & famotidine. Had abdominal pains, so asked to switch to pantoprazole. I started having globus sensation in throat, chest pressure, lotta gas. Meanwhile, they said gallbladder had to come out 4 weeks ago. During recovery, went into AFib. It came back, went to ER and admitted me, ran heart tests. Heart muscle good. So now on heart meds & pantoprazole. I have heavy chest pains, globus sensation in throat they say is esophagus - doubled my pantoprazole. It seems like that is not going away. Now AFib is worse & keeping me up. I have insomnia, anxiety & lotta gas. Maybe AFib & chest, insomnia may be from pantoprazole. Have Prevacid left. I’ll try that again for a week and see. Maybe all this insomnia, gas, heart problem is from pantoprazole."

• Alm...
• March 29, 2022

For GERD "I think doctors have to screen their patients better before giving them pantoprazole or any other of the PPI inhibitors. The first time I took pantoprazole, I felt terrible with feeling out of it, dizzy, and chest pains, and a general feeling like I was going to die. Went off it right away, another year went by, and the doctor said to go back on it as my GERD was acting up. So I tried it again and had the same symptoms, and I told my doctor, and then he prescribed Dexilant, and again, I had terrible severe reactions to it, like I could not breathe and feeling dizzy and high anxiety. Went to the hospital, and the doctor there said maybe I am allergic to magnesium and said to take pantoprazole NA with sodium instead of magnesium in it. Well, I took one of those the next day, and they are time-released, and every 20 minutes or so, I would get a terrible metal/chemical taste in my mouth, and then dizzy and left arm feeling funny and more anxiety and headache and pains in my stomach, and that kept building and getting worse."

• Dia...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 2, 2022

For GERD "This website has saved me. I thought I was going crazy! I started taking this drug 2x a day in March of 2021 to cure my chronic gastritis and GERD. At first, this really helped me out because the pain I got from gastritis was unbearable and caused me nausea and appetite loss. Over the summer, I was prescribed to take it for another year. So around October, I started to feel like I wasn’t myself with extreme anxiety and depression. There were many times when I started shaking and panicking for no reason at all. I passed out 2 times, had 3 traumatic panic attacks, and have been dizzy for days. Finally, in December, I was at my lowest and started having dark thoughts. I was so anxious, tired, dizzy, nauseous, had stomach pain, and was depressed. I was so upset that I started feeling this way and cried to my mom. She found this page and became livid! Why would my doctor prescribe me with this medicine for mild gastritis and GERD for a 20-year-old for a year? Horrible. Don’t take this."

• Jos...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 14, 2022

For GERD "This medication works on the GABA receptors, it’s like taking an antidepressant. I took it for 8 years, started having issues. When I quit, I went through withdrawals: panic attacks, anxiety, intrusive thoughts. Took me months to figure out that it was this medicine because it’s considered safe. It’s been a year and a half, and I’m still having anxiety issues."

• Wow...
• September 26, 2018

For GERD "I've been on pantoprazole for one week. I was sent to GI from my PCP because of inflammation in my throat. The doctor said I may have GERD and wants to do an endoscope in one month after being on this medication. Since taking it, I've been dizzy, had heart palpitations, experienced anxiety, insomnia, and a ridiculous headache. I'm not taking any more after today, I can't take the side effects, nor do I feel this is my issue. I also went to my endocrinologist, and she informed me that the inflammation is from my enlarged thyroid after doing an ultrasound."

• Dev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2021

For GERD "I started taking this once daily for GERD for a total of 30 days. On day 1, I felt like the room was spinning, but that got better after the first day. Every other day since then, I’ve experienced very low energy, brain fog, and exhaustion from the smallest physical activity (and I’m a very active and fit person); these sensations have led to panic and anxiety. I went to my doctor, and a blood test came back normal; the doctor said the symptoms I was describing weren’t related to this medication, but I didn’t remember feeling this way prior to taking these meds. I’ve experienced ringing in my ears, a bloated belly, and sugar cravings. My GERD is gone, but if it comes back, I will ask my doctor for an alternative option for treatment."

• Kye...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2022

For GERD "I started taking pantoprazole sodium 40 mg for GERD. I had to quit taking it after only a few days due to the side effects. The side effects were way beyond what I expected! I do not take any other medication or use alcohol, so these adverse effects could only be from the pantoprazole. I saw other comments on here about anxiety, and I completely agree that this medicine gave me a very strange, restless, anxious feeling! Other side effects included: the muscles in my arms and especially in my hands felt tight like they cramped up slightly and over time became sore; a strange almost tingly body sensation; a ringing in my ears; a metallic taste in my mouth; and the restless anxious feeling caused insomnia. I felt like I had energy, but definitely not in a good way. It's absurd that so many people on here mention anxiety as a side effect, and the doctors are blaming it on other things. I quit taking the medicine and... imagine that, I feel better... no weird anxious feeling anymore!"

• kgg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2022

For Stomach Ulcer "This medication worked for the stomach ulcers, I stopped throwing up and having the pain that came with them. HOWEVER, I stopped taking this medication after 5-7 weeks, twice a day, due to severe anxiety and body aches to where I went to the hospital three different times because they were that severe. I am now 2 weeks off of this medication, and things have already improved, but still have the random spurts of anxiety as well as the muscle aches (legs, groin/pelvic area, hips). I have just been taking Tums when I feel like I have something stuck in my throat. Before taking this medication, I was on omeprazole and had similar problems. Going to research how I can help myself naturally. I would not recommend these medications to anyone, especially if you are a parent, spouse, employee, and have a life to live outside of your house."

• Lee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 24, 2022

For Stomach Ulcer "Been taking pantoprazole since 2018. I've had nothing but bad depression, anxiety, sore stomach, bone aches, weird pain on my left side all the time. Doctors don't know what's causing it. The chest pains, pins and needles, headaches, brain fog, blurry vision, diarrhea, bloating, loss of appetite, nausea, and insomnia. I did stop taking them for about 3 weeks and felt great, but that yuk acidy taste came back, so I thought I'd take them again. Now feeling like rubbish again. Now I'll stop taking them for good."

• San...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2021

For Erosive Esophagitis "2 weeks I took the pill for 7 days straight. Some days were okay, others got a lot of nausea and anxiety. Even got 1 panic attack. Stopped it but was suffering from esophagitis. Undigested food, chest pressure, nauseous. Doctor told me to take it for 3 weeks. I restarted today, but I'm getting symptoms again, like nausea and anxiety. What are alternate options? I'm scared, not sure what to do. Doctors didn't believe me this medicine altered my anxiety levels. I got an anxiety pill, but it takes like 1 week to start working."

• Ger...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 14, 2021

For GERD "I am prescribed 40 mg 2 times a day. I only took my second dose for about 2 weeks because the side effects doubled! Bad headaches, stomach cramps, etc. So now I'm back to 40 mg once a day for about 6 months now. Headaches have decreased, but I have ringing in my ears at least 10 to 20 times a day that I can count. I'm suffering from severe anxiety, tingling in my hands and chest, and side pain. It does, however, help alleviate my GERD symptoms by keeping the excessive stomach acid from coming up my throat. It hasn't completely kept it at bay because I also have a hiatal hernia, but the acid reflux (heartburn) isn't as bad as it used to be. So with the little bit of relief I have experienced while on this menu has been beneficial, I cannot say it is worth the horrible side effects! My anxiety has gotten so bad that it is causing paranoia, sleep deprivation, and quality of life interference. If you are a person with any depression or anxiety disorder whatsoever at some time in your life, don't take this."

• Pat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2021

For GERD "I'm so happy that I stumbled on this message board. I started taking pantoprazole, and while it works well, I started to experience significant side effects. I highly recommend that you do not take this medication! About a month after taking the medication, my experience was very similar to what other people have posted, which in an odd way made me feel relieved. I started to experience elevated feelings of sadness that were constant throughout the day, anxiousness, would often wake up in the middle of the night with panic attacks, and started to develop hand tremors. After reading the entries on this board, I realized that these feelings were probably the result of the medication, so I stopped taking it. After a few days, the negative feelings dissipated, but the slight hand tremors continued. A week later, the tremors have gotten a little better, and my doctor recommended waiting three weeks to allow the medication to completely leave my system before pursuing medical intervention."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2022

For Stomach Ulcer "After the diagnosis, I received a recommendation to take this preparation in a stronger dose for two months. After a couple of weeks, I started having anxiety attacks, and I linked it to the recently contracted COVID. The attacks were very unpleasant, with rapid heartbeat and sudden jumps in blood pressure. I didn't even think it had anything to do with this medicine. I accidentally didn't take the medicine for a couple of days because I didn't buy it on time, and I noticed that the anxiety level decreased. I accidentally linked it all. After that, I stopped taking the medicine, and the anxiety completely disappeared within a few weeks, the other unwanted symptoms as well."

• Pea...
• February 2, 2021

For GERD "Took this med, pantoprazole, for 3 years (40 mg). It helped my GERD, miracle drug. I started experiencing high heart rate and blood sugar issues, yet I'm not diabetic. I stopped taking the med, I didn't need it any longer. My stomach felt fine for a few years. Recently, my stomach started to bother me, so I went back on it. Since my insurance didn't cover it, I paid $100 because I didn't want the generic. After taking it for 3 days, I experienced a little headache. On the 3rd day, I experienced a very bad anxiety/panic attack. It was terrible, I thought I was having a heart attack. I could hear my heartbeat as if it were wanting to come out of my chest, my blood pressure was sky high. I don't usually have high blood pressure. I never experienced anything like that. I do have anxiety and depression as it is, but never like this. I have stopped taking it and feel I wasted $100. Don't know why it has affected me that way, never did in the 3 years I was taking it before, other than my heart rate going up and my blood sugar."

• Rox...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2021

For GERD "I’ve just had a very bad experience with this drug. I took it for 3 days after going to the doctor with nausea and a tummy ache. The doctor looked up my endoscopy results and saw I had GERD, so I was given them to settle things down. Well, the nausea became chronic, with me gagging and choking, and my tummy was in so much pain, then I became breathless. I've had no sleep for the past 3 days, and I had a thought I might die. For some reason, I didn’t think this drug could be the cause, after all, I had gone to the doctor with the nausea, I just thought I was dying. Lucky I rang my gastroenterologist, who said to stop taking the drug. This next morning, I have no nausea and feel less anxious, still breathless though, and improved tummy pain. Never put up with these symptoms for more than one day, as I worry I’ve caused permanent damage. This drug absolutely sucks!!"

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2022

For GERD "Three days after I started 40 mg tab, I went to the doctor for an unrelated issue. My BP was 177/113, they said I had white coat syndrome. I was definitely anxious, but I’ve never had a BP like this in my life. My first thought was, could it be the pantoprazole? It was the only thing that was different. But they said not possible. So I kept taking it for another six weeks, same thing happened again at another doctor visit and also during the week when I wasn’t feeling right but wasn’t particularly anxious at all. The doctor said take a Valium anyway, and my BP went down. I have stopped the medication three days ago, and so far my BP is getting back to normal. I wonder if the effect of the pantoprazole was triggering something."

• M S...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2021

For GERD "I was wondering why I’ve had heightened anxiety and almost feel depressed (extremely unlike me). This pill was working for GERD, but I’ve recently been waking up in the middle of the night gagging and choking. I have daily headaches, and my intestines feel like they are burning and full. After reading these reviews, I believe all of this is caused by this medication. Today is my 1st day not taking it. I am not on any other meds, nor do I have any other issues. It HAS to be this horrible pill."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2022

For GERD "The medication helped immensely when it came to getting rid of the conditions I was feeling due to GERD, such as chest pains/discomfort; however, it didn't take long to notice the side effects of the medication. The medication caused a lot of gas when eating most anything, my blood flow was very off as my heart rate didn't increase during any physical activity, I barely had any energy, had bursts of both anxiety and depressive episodes, a form of temporary ED, and this was all only approximately 3-4 days after taking the medication. I had spoken to the doctor regarding all of this, but they had explained to me that it wasn't possible that any of these symptoms were caused by the medication, especially in such a short amount of time. Though looking here, it seems some of these symptoms are quite common even on short term. Despite this, I stopped the medication on approximately the sixth day. My GERD symptoms stopped immediately, and the side effects disappeared several days after."

• Pri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2022

For GERD "My brother-in-law took this medicine for GERD. GERD was relieved. But from the third day, he started having extreme anxiety and gradually went into depression. He had panic attacks at night as well. His experience with pantoprazole was horrible. His anxiety improved after 4 days of stopping the medication."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2021

For GERD "I wouldn't recommend this drug to my worst enemy. I was having bad reflux, went to the hospital, and they gave pantoprazole through IV. I felt better, picked up my script, and took it when needed. I woke up at 3 am with the worst acid reflux ever, and throughout the day I have had jitters, very bad anxiety, and feeling like hot flashes, nasty taste in my throat. It did seem to ease off the reflux, but too many side effects with this, and only took them for 2 days. I will not ever take these meds again!!"

• Scc...
• August 10, 2021

"Got prescribed this even though I went to the doctor for unrelated nausea/vomiting. Said it would be easier on my esophagus. I have 0 history of acid reflux. The doctor just prescribed it to prescribe it, and I didn’t know any better, of course, and I took 20 mg every morning. I stopped two nights ago, and I’m feeling anxious, got a headache, hot flashes, random tingling sensations. I literally only took it for a few days. Not sure why this medication is being prescribed in the first place, seeing how almost all of these reviews are negative. Gotta love big pharma."

• Ari...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2021

For GERD "Went to a doctor because of stomach pain. My own diagnosis is gallbladder/gallstones; he said no, no other explanation and prescribed me pantoprazole. I took it because he knows better; he is the doctor. Took it as soon as I got the meds; unexplainable - belly pain got worse the next day, feverish, lower back pain, anxiety, emotional roller coaster, fatigue, dizziness - it was ugly. It was a very ugly experience! You think you get better taking meds; this is the only medicine that I took that made me feel worse. By the way, I was prescribed 40 mg for 30 days. I took it for 8 days; the original pain location got worse when I was taking this to the point that I wanted to go to the hospital. Also, the pain location changed; I wish I had figured it out earlier. I thought I was going to the hospital kind of pain during the 8 days. I have no idea why he gave me GERD medicine. I didn’t complain of any heartburn. I will try to see if I still have any pain in a week and find another doctor."

• Cze...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2014

Pantoprazole for GERD "After two days on Protonix (for GERD associated with adult-onset asthma) I ended up in the emergency room with extremely high blood pressure, fast, pounding pulse, severe headache, and severe anxiety."

• Mol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2020

For GERD "I took pantoprazole for 6 days, 20 mg. My side effects were awful headache, trouble sleeping, anxiety. I would not recommend taking this at all."