Omeprazole and Anxiety: What Users Say

• SJa...
• July 23, 2021

For GERD "On omeprazole for 11 days, which 5 years ago & I had all side effects mentioned - anxiety, stomach pain, severe brain fog, etc. I had 3 trips to ER with heart pounding & racing, numerous tests to try to diagnose. It took 6 months to feel 100%. Upped nutrition & made my own rehydration liquid (coconut water, fresh oranges & lemons, etc). I used organic products when possible, wanted as few toxins in my body, exercised, increased vitamins & supplements (B12 & magnesium), and started yoga. Symptoms slowly decreased over the next 6 months - symptoms didn’t cease immediately after stopping. PLEASE don’t lose hope if you are still experiencing symptoms! Stay on a regimen of optimum nutrition & hydration & symptoms will slowly subside over several months. I feel like the poison got into every crevice of my body & invaded tissue & muscles, so took time to flush out. Do NOT let doctors tell you that it’s all in your head, that medication can’t cause these side effects! Wishing everyone hope for recovery & encouragement for a return to normal. It WILL get better:)"

• Dea...
• May 25, 2020

For GERD "I was left on this medication, omeprazole, for around 6 years by my doctor for stomach acid. I am from the UK, so although we have a national health service, it’s a common occurrence not to receive a sufficient level of care. Anyway, I managed to replace the benefits that these tablets did assist with by instead taking vitamins. I stopped taking it 5 months ago, and I cannot put into words how amazing I have felt ever since. Anxiety and depression have lifted enormously! I used to get anxious about the smallest things, such as driving my car or having a certain type of juice in the house. Just the daftest things ever. I’m sleeping better than I ever was. No brain fog, memory, and concentration have increased significantly. I cannot recall a time when my mood has been constantly high throughout my life (32). I truly believe these tablets severely impacted my mental health for all those years, so I strongly advise anyone either taking or thinking about taking them to not bother. Look into natural aids instead!"

• Nee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2021

For GERD "My wife has been off this stuff for about 3 weeks now and is still plagued with the anxiety, insomnia, pins and needles etc. Can anyone tell me how long it took for them to be free of this misery? Thanks so much...we hope every day that these horrible side effects subside...please give me some good news!! Thanks so much!"

• Pre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2019

Omeprazole for GERD "DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE!!!!! This medicine has ripped the life out from inside me. I went from being my totally normal happy self to having serious panic attacks, constant anxiety/depression, and a general feeling of hopelessness. The symptoms started on my 12th day, and I stopped taking the pill on my 13th day. It is a week later, and the panic attacks, anxiety, depression, and hopelessness still remain. This drug is poison to me and many others!!!"

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

For GERD "Started a short treatment of Prilosec for an acid reflux flare up. 40mg a day. Took for 16 days before we realized what was happening! I’m generally in great health, fit, healthy weight, on no medications, and have never experienced depression. This medication caused me to have anxiety, heart palpitations, loss of appetite, weight loss, extreme depression, tingling in the hands and feet, and worsened my acid reflux symptoms! Once we realized these symptoms were actually side effects of the medication, I stopped taking it! That was 2 weeks ago. The depression has very slowly lifted, the anxiety keeps coming and going, the acid reflux is cleared up, and appetite is improving every day. No degree of acid reflux is worth going through what I’ve been going through the past month! DON'T TAKE IT!"

• 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."

• ANX...
• March 3, 2021

For Gastritis/Duodenitis "This medication will drag you to a place where you really don't want to be. What I'm feeling is chest heaviness, dizziness, severe anxiety, panic episodes, shakiness, sweating, diarrhea shortness of breath. It is nothing to worry about, my symptoms got better after a few weeks. However, the doctor made me start it again and I now know that everything that just randomly started going wrong with me is all linked to this medication. And when I say anxiety, I mean severe amplified anxiety. Like the kind where you can't sleep at night because you panic thinking tonight is the night. Do not take this medication. Ever. You don't know anxiety until you take this. I'm not sure why this is even a med to begin with. Keep your head up and read my review. I promise you'll be okay after a few weeks. You're not dying. Just going through a bad side effect that will subside."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2021

For GERD "My daughter was put on these for 14 days. I’ve never seen someone change so dramatically. By her last day of taking them, she was pacing her room saying she felt like she was going to die and that something bad was going to happen. She has never suffered with anxiety before or panic attacks. Brain fog, shooting pains in her head, can't stop crying. It’s been 4 weeks since she stopped these, and she is really struggling. She is taking extra vitamins and eating but is desperate to know how long this is going to last. She has gone from being an outgoing girl to not leaving the house. Any advice appreciated. Her doctor has prescribed antidepressants, but she’s reluctant to take these as she has never needed them before."

• 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."

• tob...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 18, 2021

For Hiatal Hernia "DO NOT TAKE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!!!! I have lost 7 months of my life to this drug. I was at a loose end and wanted everything to be over!! I went from a man enjoying his life to a severely depressed and unhappy person. The omeprazole prescribed for my heartburn, unknowingly to me, gave me crippling anxiety, depression, dizziness, brain fog, feeling like I was going to blackout constantly, helplessness, crying.. you name it!! I stopped the Omeprazole 4 days ago and wow, I feel like a new man back to my old self! No depression, no anxiety... WOW!! Please avoid this awful drug at all costs!!!"

• Der...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 31, 2019

For GERD "Does anyone know how long these horrible side effects last? I've taken them for two weeks and now been off them for two weeks so far. Brain fog has lessened but I'm still experiencing anxiety, depression, emotionless, and a soulless feeling from time to time. I could sleep the first week off of them, now in the second week, I'm having a hard time sleeping, snapping awake, muscle jerking, and a needles-in-my-skin feeling. This pill is awful. I've heard it could take a month or two to normalize."

• Wen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2019

For GERD "I took this for 5 days for acid reflux. I experienced extreme anxiety and panic attacks. I couldn’t sleep at all as every time I was dropping off, I had a huge adrenaline rush. I couldn’t function and had 4 weeks off work sick. I realized on the 5th day that these tablets must be the cause, so I researched it only to find other people had similar symptoms. I stopped taking them straight away. The doctor had to prescribe anxiety tablets Duloxetine as I was in such a state of anxiety. The doctor would not believe that the tablets have these side effects. I tackled the acid reflux with an alkaline-only diet, and a year later I am now back to normal and off the anxiety tablets. I would advise anyone to not take these tablets, they caused me to literally have a breakdown. Thank God I stopped taking them when I did."

• J R...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2021

For GERD "Absolutely awful, dangerous, one of the worst experiences of my life. It is finally time to share my story in hopes it helps others not go through this. I waited until the nightmare was 100% over and that garbage was out of my system. I was prescribed 80mg per day of Omeprazole on June 11, 2021, and took that amount daily for 7 weeks. In late July, I had severe mental fog, insane anxiety, near-impossible ability to drive, often felt like I would pass out driving. This nightmare continued for exactly 2 months after going cold turkey off that garbage. 2 months of being terrified to drive, feeling awful, hugging the berm, going under the speed limit, fearing for my life. If your doctor tells you there are no side effects with this drug like mine did, they are full of you-know-what. Please think of alternate solutions. This can wreck your life and others, literally. Big Pharma won't want you to know that. I highly recommend you do not go through this and find healthy solutions."

• jus...
• July 24, 2015

Omeprazole for GERD "I have taken Prilosec for over 15 years. It works great for the heartburn/reflux/GERD. But let me tell you what it took away from me! It dropped my iron and my iron stores to the bottom, it also took my B12 to the bottom. It also, after years of taking it, gave me anxiety, cramping of muscles, and led to my potassium being low as well. Then, most recently, I kept having a horrible burning in my stomach, well, guess what Prilosec gave me most of all! A stomach full of gastric polyps!! So now I have weaned myself off this horrible medicine because gastric polyps are a side effect of it and no one tells you! And if you keep taking it, well, guess what, it makes even more in your stomach once it starts!! So I weaned myself off it, took over a month."

• sat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2021

For GERD "I complained about having sharp pains occasionally just below the breasts and the Dr. told me it was acid build-up, and that I should take an omeprazole every morning. On day 5, I got very lightheaded and dizzy every time I stood up, felt my heart racing, and felt anxious. I stopped taking the pills that day, and three days later I'm still feeling lightheaded, a general feeling of heaviness in my chest, and, most concerning, a tidal wave of depression. I am wondering how long it will take this to get out of my system because I feel so wonky."

• Roy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2020

For Indigestion "I have had heartburn for years. I was put on this omeprazole medication and it worked well for my heartburn. However, after about 2 months or so, I began to feel symptoms that I couldn't pin to one thing or another. Back aches, light-headedness, fatigue, anxiety, shoulder pain, and my rib cage felt like I got beat up. Also, it felt like a basketball was in my stomach. So, I started chasing down side effects with the meds I take and started to see ALL these side effects tied to this drug. I am now on day 2 of not taking them. I just hope it is not too long before the side effects start to subside."

• Jim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2022

For GERD "I don’t even know where to start. I will say this medicine did work, but the side effects are absolutely horrible! The anxiety, depression, and impending doom I felt all day long were terrible! I was on 40 mg a day for 14 days, along with famotidine for an ulcer. I just finished my 14 days, and the symptoms (anxiety and feeling like something bad is going to happen) are still there. Can anyone please tell me if this anxiety will eventually go away and how long? This is terrible, I feel like I’m going nuts!"

• Kee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2020

For GERD "I've given by my MD this worst medicine! 2 weeks consumed it. On the 10th or 11th days, I feel brain fog, my upper and lower back feel so painful. Anxiety got higher. It has been a month already since I stopped it, the side effects are still in my body. Seriously, whatever PPI kind of medicine... Do not ever take it."

• H-A...
• March 29, 2023

For GERD "It ruined my life. I don't even have the strength to narrate what it did to me. But it surely ruined my life. The panic attacks and anxiety. I had to be given anti-depressants only to find that this medication caused all this. I feel like crying when I think of it."

• Anonymous
• November 7, 2020

For GERD "I went to the ENT doctor because I was having trouble swallowing my saliva. So, she stuck a tube up my nose. After she was done and told me the back of my throat was red, and I have severe acid reflux. Before coming to the ENT doctor, I suffer from anxiety & depression already. Not knowing the drugs she prescribed me would make that worse, I took omeprazole for 6 days. The side effects I couldn't deal with - my anxiety got worse, I got more depressed, my eyes felt dilated, I got a headache, diarrhea, woke up and my arms were slightly aching without me doing anything. Also, having to clear my throat with nothing in my throat to be cleared and loss of appetite. I will never take omeprazole again. I'm going to try the natural way to hopefully leave my system soon."

• Rac...
• March 27, 2023

For GERD "I can second all the other anxiety-related issues to this drug. I was a perfectly happy and healthy 28-year-old. Started taking omeprazole for some nasty silent reflux symptoms, and anxiety came out of nowhere. I had never in my life experienced anxiety, depression, or panic attacks until I started taking this awful drug. After 2 months, I started deep diving into the research and quit taking them. Instantly felt better and started recovering, started taking supplements to restore the acid in my stomach that this drug had depleted, along with many other vitamins it prohibits your body from absorbing!!! I'm on my road to recovery now and encourage you to do your own research before taking."

• Ddm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2020

For Barrett's Esophagus "So I was prescribed this medication by my GI doctor after having an endoscopy and colonoscopy in July. He said I have Barrett’s Esophagus. I have never really realized I had heartburn very often, and if I did, I would just take a few Tums. I started on this omeprazole in August. Since that time, I have started having side effects of stiff joints, brain fog, dizziness, extreme anxiety, and heart palpitations. I ended up in the ER a few weeks ago because I honestly thought I was having a heart attack. My potassium was high, which has never been an issue before. After researching to try to figure out what was going on, I came across these reviews and, boy, let me tell you, it sounded just like me! This stuff is just awful! I don’t know what to do because I know I’m supposed to be on it, but everything you research as an alternative med for this seems to have the same effects! Needless to say, my GI doctor thinks I’m crazy because he’s never heard of these symptoms happening! Think it might be time to find a new doctor!"

• loi...
• June 11, 2021

For Gastritis/Duodenitis "I got diagnosed with gastritis and was prescribed omeprazole for 5 weeks. I got the full package of side effects - tingling in my arms and feet, buzzing in my back, buzzing in my left calf, weakness to the point where I was barely able to lift it, extreme anxiety, waking up during the night with my heart racing, pain, and burning on the left under the ribs. I lost 14 kilos in 3 weeks. Today, it has been 3 weeks since I stopped taking it, anxiety lifted 3 days ago and is no longer there, tingling in my arms and feet is gone, burning in my stomach too. The only thing left is slight weakness in my left calf still, but that's improving slowly. I have an appetite, and my weight is going up steadily. If you are reading this, hang in there, stay tough. It takes a while for that poison to wear off, keep yourself hydrated, and take vitamins and electrolytes, probiotics help with anxiety. It gets better. I honestly thought this nightmare would never end. PPI - never again!"

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2021

For Gastritis/Duodenitis "I left my experience already but wanted to post an update. After all the tests and scans, blood work is all good, mild anxiety sometimes still, a few PACs and PVCs (heartbeat issues) which I believe are caused by omeprazole-induced anxiety. Acupuncture the last month, liver detox herbs, clay bath detox, vitamins D3, K + supplements, NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine), zinc, and probiotics are helping me. I've researched many scientific journals and medical research papers regarding the science behind this drug and why the long list of adverse reactions. Long story short, this drug works not only in the stomach as a proton pump inhibitor, or to stop the pump action to interact with certain enzymes and processes to create acid, but also works in cells throughout the body. It damages processes affecting amino acids such as glutathione, which are essential for brain health and neurotransmitters. Do your research but know there is a reason for all of this, and we can heal with remedies and time! xo!"

• 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."