Pantoprazole and Depression: What Users Say

• Pum...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 8, 2021

For GERD "14 months ago, my GI put me on 40mg pantoprazole for GERD and esophagus erosion. My GERD seemed better, but not resolved, however, I continued taking it. Then, one month later, COVID-19 hit. More and more, I felt really sick with bloating, joint pain, severe back pain, extreme tiredness, and no energy, headaches, depression, and anxiety. I also experienced blurry vision and brain fog. I thought it was all due to stress because of COVID. My physical well-being changed so drastically during this time. Now, for the first time, I researched the side effects of this drug, and the realization set in that these are probably all side effects from this drug! I will not take it any longer and hope that I might start feeling better! Often, I thought I was on my deathbed feeling so awful! Could these have been all the side effects of this drug?"

• Anonymous
• April 26, 2021

For GERD "I got acid reflux and the doctor prescribed pantoprazole. The side effects are brain fog, ringing in my ear, weakness, depression, and anxiety. The dizziness was so horrible until I passed out, and my husband found me on the kitchen floor, which is very terrifying. Then, they prescribed Ativan, Sertraline Hydrochloride, and I was told to seek help from mental health. I am a health care worker for over more than 10 years, and I can say I am a very healthy individual until I had the GERD issue. The Pantoprazole is just so awful, why are they even out in the market?? I just stopped taking all the medications and do some juicing and a good diet. I am at home now for medical EI. Let's see how it goes. Hopes everything goes well, and please say a prayer for me to get better!!!"

• Tyl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2021

For GERD "Started taking this after bad acid reflux, helped with the acid reflux but started feeling very ill, muscle pains, muscle twitching, headaches, back pain, neck pain, abdominal pains. I dropped weight really fast, dry throat, nausea, didn't feel hungry, panic attacks/anxiety, depression, foggy head/troubles concentrating, troubles sleeping, ringing in my ears, my sugar levels also started to crash a lot two weeks in. My doctor thought it was my diabetes medication, while emergency thought it was all in my head when I expressed concern to this medication being the problem. Also ended up spending a lot of money being told to take other meds for anxiety/sleep, taking trips to the hospital, and being out of work. Would not recommend this medication."

• Eva...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2020

For Stomach Ulcer "The doctor prescribed this drug to heal my stomach after having nausea and no appetite. After taking this drug, I have experienced really bad side effects which have affected me so much. Depression and extreme crying, anxiety to the point of having chest pains and a tight chest feeling, joint pain, pins and needles, fever, gas and bloating, extreme nausea and no desire to eat, abdominal pain, brain fog, weakness and tiredness, insomnia, headaches. This has made me go to the ER thinking something serious was wrong with me. Being off of this medication for 2 days and symptoms are subsiding but still present. I was finally able to regain some appetite and eat again. I am sharing my story to let others know of the serious side effects of this medication."

• Ms ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2020

For GERD "I took this for GERD. I took it twice. Horrible stomach ache/gas. It also made me feel weird. I even started feeling super anxious and depressed. I started crying and feeling hopeless. It also did nothing for my symptoms. Although I wasn’t on them long enough to help. They made my reflux worse!! Horrible medication. Never again!"

• Lpe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2021

For Gastritis/Duodenitis "Can anyone tell me how long the side effects last from this medicine? I took it for 12 days. During the second week, I started waking up crying and feeling depressed every morning. I have more anxiety. I started having stomach pain, and one day I had severe nausea. Also, I was dealing with some loss of appetite, and that’s gotten worse. I also experienced brain fog and extreme exhaustion and fatigue, like I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I think that PPIs can be extremely dangerous for some people. How can a medicine that’s supposed to heal bring so much destruction to your body? Ugh. I want to figure out something natural to take."

• Rec...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 11, 2021

For GERD "25-year-old male, no other medications. I started this medication in February of 2021 for gastritis while my doctor figured out what was really wrong. I have never had a panic attack or suffered from anxiety/depression before. Approximately a month after taking this medication, I began having several panic attacks a day and freaking out over several things that I normally would never think twice about. After 2-3 more months on this med, the anxiety morphed into depression and intrusive thoughts. I had several other side effects that developed, such as weakness and ringing in my ears. After months of trial and error on testing, we finally figured out that my gallbladder was working at 19% and had it removed in June 2021. I talked with my doctor about these meds and how I suspected that it may have been causing all of my issues. My doctor agreed due to PPI causing B-12 and magnesium deficiency. Currently weaning off and hope to be done soon. I’ve already started feeling better in recent weeks."

• Lic...
• August 21, 2020

For Stomach Ulcer "I took pantoprazole the first time for a month. It gave me very bad headaches every day. On top of that, I felt very depressed. Initially, I didn't connect these symptoms to pantoprazole. But two days after I stopped taking it, those symptoms were gone. I felt so relieved! As for the ulcer, it took care of the pain, but the ulcer didn't heal. I assume taking pantoprazole only is not the cure. A very particular diet and very small portions together with treatment is the right approach. But my doctor told me I could eat anything I wanted. So I did. I had to start pantoprazole again for a month, and headaches and depression came back. Both were very bad. It took care of the pain again, but didn't heal the ulcer again. I am taking it now again. The headache is coming back. The ulcer hurts more. I have to watch now what I eat. I begin to think that eating small portions and very gentle food is a better treatment than pantoprazole."

• Xan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2022

For Gastritis/Duodenitis "I had chest pain and heart palpitations and a stomach ache and had to go to the emergency room. After a 6-hour wait, I was diagnosed with gastritis and prescribed pantoprazole. I took it for a month with no improvement, so I got a refill from my doctor with hesitation. The second month, I started having anxiety attacks and was crying all the time. I felt this huge depression come over me and lived with unbearable stomach pain and gas. I could not eat from the nausea. I passed out three times, twice in the kitchen and the third time down the stairs. Something that has never happened to me before. I could not get out of bed. It got so bad I wanted to die. So I started Googling my blood pressure meds and anything I took. Then I started reading all the bad reviews on pantoprazole. So for me, it’s deadly, the worst medication I have ever taken in my life. I can’t believe it’s on the market, it almost killed me. Take at your own risk!"

• Nur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2023

For Laryngopharyngeal Reflux "Horrible medication. A pulmonologist ordered this because he suspected reflux, and it made me feel fatigued and bloated, made me retain so much water, as well as caused anxiety and depression. I took it for three weeks, and my symptoms got worse. Within three days of stopping, all of these adverse side effects went away. Will not be using this again."

• DIM...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 21, 2022

For GERD "Was prescribed pantoprazole 9 years ago while pregnant. While this pill did eliminate my heartburn issues, it caused extreme fatigue, anxiety, depression, debilitating lightheadedness, muscle cramps, vitamin deficiency (D, iron, magnesium, and calcium specifically), and probably more issues that I'm unaware of. I've seen every doctor imaginable in the past 6 years: cardio, gastro, bariatric, ENT, ob-gyn, therapist, psych, regular GP, general surgeons, respiratory, sleep lab, you name it. Not one could tell me why I feel so awful all the time. Everything checks out medically, I have 0 issues besides needing to lose 40 lbs. I came across a thread on Reddit regarding anemia and PPI use, this opened up a giant rabbit hole for me. I started reading everything I could about this drug and didn't like what I saw. I stopped taking it cold turkey 4 weeks ago. I have never felt better. I finally feel like the old me again. I cannot believe this pill is what was causing my downfall for so long."

• 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."

• Col...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 17, 2022

Pantoprazole 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 pantoprazole for a few years, I couldn't take it anymore. The weight gain was out of control and made me depressed. I decided recently to get off pantoprazole 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 gain, while googling Protonix, you will find it actually does. Wish I had 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."

• 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."

• Cai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2021

For GERD "If you have any kind of mental health issues, DON'T TAKE THIS!! I took this because I had some, and I was out of my Nexium, which I take daily. Within two days, I started having massive panic attacks, intensive depressive episodes, couldn't sleep, had suicidal thoughts, I felt awful. My Klonopin, which I take as needed, would not even touch the panic and depressive episodes, and usually it always takes it away. I saw these reviews and immediately stopped using the pantoprazole. I have manic depression, and I was finally on a med combo that worked very well, and then this happened. It is two days after I quit the protonix, and I feel much better but still not 100 percent like myself. Would not recommend."

• 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."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2021

For Stomach Ulcer "Be very careful with this drug, it has horrible side effects. I took it for 4 days and gradually got more and more tired to where I couldn’t hardly move when awake, yet I still couldn’t fall asleep. First time ever feeling like this. It made me go crazy and end up in a mental ward. After a day of not being on it, I felt almost perfect and had no more issues. I took Pepcid for a couple of weeks, and my stomach ulcer caused by too much NSAIDs was better. My advice: stick with over-the-counter meds like Pepcid and watch out for the mental effects of this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 23, 2021

For GERD "I will never trust a doctor again. I have been taking this stuff for over 10 years. Despite my reservations, the specialist insisted that stopping pantoprazole would put me at risk. I have continued until today, and my life has become so miserable. My body is almost petrified, back pain and depression make it a constant struggle for me to get out and just go for a walk. I can’t run. I have leg pain which stops me from sleeping. My last meal was at 8 pm yesterday, now it’s 8 am, and I have worse reflux than ever before. The only difference is that it’s not acid. I guess that’s why I can’t digest my food. 40 mg, 2 times daily."

• Sur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2022

For GERD "No, I’m not one to leave a review, but probably like most of you, I’ve been scrolling through Google while thinking I’m dying. This drug was great day 1 and 2. Day 3 and 4 have been the worst I have ever felt. The dizziness and brain fog are nearly unbearable, and I never felt so broken and depressed in my life. 2.5 mg of diazepam seemed to work for a few hours, but then it came straight back. Use this drug for 2 days max."

• Pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 3, 2022

For Gastritis/Duodenitis "40 (F), diagnosed with celiac disease and duodenum damage worsened by long COVID. Prescribed 40mg pantoprazole for suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding (I have stinky black tarry stools, no appetite, and have lost 15% body weight in 6 weeks, I'm now underweight) while waiting to see my gastroenterologist. Stopped taking after 2 days. Urinary retention, kidney pain, severe nightmares, night sweats, disturbed sleeping pattern, and it actually *worsened* the trapped gas, flatulence, abdominal bloating, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Only positive effect is slightly firmed loose stool, but I think it is because I'm dehydrated despite drinking lots of water and electrolytes. Furthermore, it has made me severely depressed and hopeless-feeling. I can't stop crying at random things or motivate myself to want to do anything. I hope it gets out of my system soon. I have mental health issues (stabilized and medicated), but this was a shock. Do not recommend at all - discuss other options with your PCP/GI."

• Pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 3, 2022

For Gastritis/Duodenitis "40 (F), diagnosed with celiac disease and duodenum damage worsened by long COVID. Prescribed 40mg pantoprazole for suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding (I have stinky black tarry stools, no appetite, and have lost 15% body weight in 6 weeks, I'm now underweight) while waiting to see my gastroenterologist. Stopped taking after 2 days. Urinary retention, kidney pain, severe nightmares, night sweats, disturbed sleeping pattern, and it actually *worsened* the trapped gas, flatulence, abdominal bloating, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Only positive effect is slightly firmed loose stool, but I think it is because I'm dehydrated despite drinking lots of water and electrolytes. Furthermore, it has made me severely depressed and hopeless-feeling. I can't stop crying at random things or motivate myself to want to do anything. I hope it gets out of my system soon. I have mental health issues (stabilized and medicated), but this was a shock. Do not recommend at all - discuss other options with your PCP/GI."

• 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."

• Bob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2019

For Gastritis/Duodenitis "Worked very well. But I had to discontinue due to serious depression. I never seen anything like this. I saw a study in 2018 that confirms this. TRUE OF ALL PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS"