Omeprazole and Depression: What Users Say

• 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!"

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

Prilosec (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!!!"

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

Prilosec (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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Jim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2021

For GERD "I really never comment on websites such as these, as I’ve been fairly healthy for all of my life. I was recently diagnosed with GERD and was told to take a 40 mg pill of omeprazole daily. I implore you all to exhaust all options before taking this pill. I am only on Day 1, and I have had anxiety and sentiments of hopelessness. Even as someone who is generally very happy and calm, I now cannot watch a TV series without getting anxiety after taking this medication. I will be halting its consumption and hoping that the side effects disappear soon."

• Jai...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 11, 2020

For GERD "I've been on Omeprazole going on 10 years. No one ever mentioned anemia or any of the other problems that can come from this medication. I've been trying to get off this med for close to a year. Went down from 40mg to 20 mg, not too bad. Now trying to get off 20mg. For the last week, I've had chills, headaches, diarrhea, extreme heartburn, anxiety, body aches, exhaustion, and depression. This is awful. It helped reflux but at quite a price. B12, MAGNESIUM, FERRETIN SHOULD ALL BE MONITORED WHILE ON THIS MED. I had a hysterectomy and gallbladder removed in the last 5 years and wonder if those surgeries could have been avoided."

• Dai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2020

For GERD "I had taken omeprazole years ago for acid reflux and had no side effects. I recently started taking it again (20 mg) and I’m on day 4. Something changed. My anxiety is very bad. Like bad! I’m out of it, feeling like I’m not in the real world. I’m dizzy and my body aches. Horrible headaches too! And I’m extremely depressed. I’m going to stop taking it tomorrow, and hopefully, I start to feel better this week. Hopefully, I don’t have withdrawals or anything. Couldn’t be worse than this anyway. I’m going to give it a 3 just because it worked years ago for me with no side effects."

• Ian...
• October 31, 2019

For GERD "Omeprazole is the worst pill. I took it for 3 weeks. I stopped taking it 2 weeks ago, and the side effects still remain (arm and leg pain, dizziness, insomnia, depression, vision problems). Do not take it!"

• Sun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2021

For Indigestion "I was prescribed this for indigestion and a mild concentric ring on the esophagus. Was advised it was safe. I don't take any other medications and am healthy. Took for less than 4 months and the side effects started in the 4th month - tinnitus, depression, anxiety, panic. Never knew what these were until I took this. Stopped it straight away after researching this. The withdrawals were horrendous. Depression, anxiety, kidney problems - 2 antibiotics to treat. Lost over 2 stone in weight the first few weeks as I couldn't eat. Appetite returned after about 6 weeks. Went to see a functional medicine practitioner and am taking natural remedies that are helping hugely. I was glad to find this site and some others to know that this is what was causing all this. I am over 3 months out now and things are lifting. I read most people's recovery takes 3 to 6 months. I will never take this again, and I will research anything I am ever advised to take with a degree of intense analysis."

• 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."

• Nae...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 27, 2022

For Gastritis/Duodenitis "I was given these as a ‘quick-fix’ solution after burning my esophagus. As a fit and active 30-year-old, I’d never actually had heartburn in my life, but I now found myself getting it whenever I ate certain foods (which I couldn’t understand) and had the feeling of a lump in my throat. This was obviously just a side effect of the drug, but it didn’t click in my head. Eventually, after an endoscopy showed gastritis, I was switched onto omeprazole. Taking these for 2 weeks changed everything. I developed a tremor, muscle twitches where I'd literally drop my phone, jolting awake just as I'm nodding off (repeatedly all night), and feelings of anxiety/depression that I never knew existed. It's been 4 months now, and I'm finally getting there. You need to taper off these drugs, doctors won't even bother telling you, but when you stop, your body creates more acid than before-hyper-secretion-which can take weeks/months to adapt to, so a lot of people get caught in a vicious cycle."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2021

For Hiatal Hernia "I honestly surprised how many people here are battling with depression and anxiety because of this medication. I got to say I've been on this for a month, and I totally saw the difference for the better. Yesterday, I had my last tablet, and today I'm feeling the difference of the acid again. I totally believe that people who are suffering these side effects have been battling them for years now, and for some reason, this medicine amplified them."

• Big...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 23, 2021

For Gastritis/Duodenitis "I have had stomach problems over the last few years. Initially caused by H. pylori, I was prescribed antibiotics and 20 mg omeprazole. After the H. pylori was cleared, I was recommended to stay on the 20 mg of omeprazole for a period of time. Five years later, I am still stuck on this pill. The side effects are horrendous. I've never felt as tired in all my life. I feel very depressed and low. I have severe cramps in my stomach and severe back pain. In general, I always have a feeling of unwellness. I've also been recently diagnosed as having chronic gastritis, which I am sure is a side effect from taking omeprazole for so long. However, when I stop taking it for a week, I feel absolutely amazing, if to describe just normal. However, it's short-lived, and my acid reflux and heartburn flare up, and I have to go back on the omeprazole. It's a vicious cycle. I wish I had never taken this drug ever in the first place. I am a shadow of my former self. I would really like to know if anyone is in the same position."

• Nig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 10, 2022

For Gastritis/Duodenitis "This drug gave me some of the worst experiences of my life. I was prescribed this drug (15 mg twice a day) for mild acid reflux/gastritis symptoms. The side effects of this medicine are awful. Depression, anxiety, panic attacks, chest and back pain, shaking, burning sensation in arms and back. My vision went blurry, and I had severe brain fog. I felt like I was about to die pretty much the entire time with chest racing and strong heartbeats. I couldn't sleep and would wake up pretty much as soon as I fell asleep. I stopped taking these tablets 3 weeks ago, and still I am not right. I can feel the cloud of these tablets slowly lifting. I would not take these tablets again."

• rhe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2021

For GERD "Went to the ER 5 times for extreme abdominal pain and was prescribed this medication. I did my research and read the reviews on these pills and was already extremely skeptical but took it for two days and already was extremely shaky, anxiety was through the roof, depressive, suicidal thoughts came flooding back. I had difficulty breathing and concentrating, shaky and painful eyes, piercing headaches, and this was only after 2 days. Do NOT recommend."

• Use...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2021

For GERD "Started this medication for my IBS a couple of months ago, and it was great, no stomach issues, I was digesting easily, etc. One week, I started having an immense amount of panic attacks, sadness, irritability, you name it. It impacted my relationship, it was just awful. I stopped taking it for two weeks, and I didn’t have any panic attacks, but the side effects did not go away. Took it one more time just to be sure it was the medication, and sure enough, I had a panic attack and I could not stand, breathe, and I felt like death. Please avoid this if you can!"

• Ara...
• November 25, 2021

For Stomach Ulcer "After 2 months of using this drug, I had symptoms of fatigue, brain fog, confusion, and loss of appetite, and I felt that I was not alone at all, along with depression, severe anxiety, and muscle spasms. This drug is awful, and its side effects can last for months, even months, even after quitting. Avoid it if you can. It ruined my life."

• kel...
• March 17, 2015

For GERD "I have suffered with acid reflux (inflammation) for over one year, which affected my life massively. I was at my wits' end. I completely changed my lifestyle (diet), cutting out all spicy foods (which I love), swapping for yogurts, lots of vegetables, and probiotics. It helped a little, but I'd still suffer with acid reflux every single day. In the end, I felt depressed and unable to feel happy. I had an infection called 'H. pylori,' which I feel caused me serious health issues, including deficiencies with B12 and folic acid, as well as many, many more health issues. Anyway, in short, I've recently been prescribed Esomeprazole 20 mg, and OMG, within one day, I felt miles better, reflux gone, and so much stomach relief-this medicine really did help me hugely."

• 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."