Pantoprazole and Headaches: 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?"

• 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."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2020

For GERD "I took this pantoprazole for less than 24 hours, and I have to say it was not a good experience. I had heart racing, massive headache, an odd tingling sensation, shortness of breath, excessive fatigue, dry mouth, and anxiety. I’m feeling slightly better this morning, but woke up feeling dehydrated despite drinking my weight in fluids yesterday. I will say I had a reaction to another similar medication to this as well, which is why I switched to this one, so I don’t know if my body is just sensitive to these types of meds or what. I will never take these or anything like it again, and I’m surprised that they get away with saying reactions are rare when clearly that’s not true. I started taking a probiotic, and that has helped so far I think. Just hoping it didn’t do any long-term damage."

• 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."

• ESB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2020

For GERD "I was prescribed 40 mg of Pantoprazole for GERD. The doctor prescribed me 30 tablets. Out of the 30, I've taken 22, and I've been experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, and feeling very lightheaded (dizzy) like I'm going to pass out. I was just released from the cardiologist, and everything was okay. So I decided to research patient reviews on this medicine, and I've read I'm not the only one with these side effects. I've even experienced daily headaches with leg cramping. This medicine isn't good for me, and I wouldn't want anyone else to experience these side effects. I've been to the ER twice since taking this medicine. The medicine made me think I was having a heart attack. There were several other tests run for them to say everything is normal."

• Mil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2020

For GERD "My GI prescribed this medication for stomach pains and acid reflux. Now I have daily stomach pains, neck ache, upper back pain, headache, and joint pain. OMG, I feel miserable. I can't believe this drug is still being prescribed. Stopped cold turkey after 3 weeks of a nightmare. Been off it for 4 days and still not completely better. Wonder how long the side effects will last...?"

• Rox...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2021

For GERD "So I've been taking this medicine for about a month now, and it was helping me so much I was amazed. But then I started having problems where I thought I was going crazy. Really bad headaches, neck and back pains, just pains all over my body. Swelling in my legs and hands, my legs hurt. Ringing in my ears, panic attacks, anxiety. I feel the brain fogginess, I just feel weird like something is always wrong. Tonight I finally googled the side effects of this medication. And I'm seeing all the side effects that I'm having, and it's mind-blowing. I've been to the doctor so many times for each problem, they give me different medications for this and that. Seeing all this, I won't be taking it any longer and will be going back to my doctor tomorrow. Thank you, everyone, for your comments on here, it's helped me so much. Oh, I also have a really bad dry throat and weight gain."

• Nev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2020

For GERD "I have been taking Pantoprazole, 40mg for 25 days. Side effects (which I hadn't realized were side effects until coming here): headaches like I've never experienced before and they have been almost constant for days. Racing pulse, palpitations, shortness of breath, constipation, and now my sleep is being affected. It initially helped with the issues I was having but the headaches alone have been unbearable, like I have almost gone to the hospital unbearable."

• Lat...
• July 4, 2021

For GERD "I have been taking this medication for 3 days. Day 1: severe headache all day. Day 2: anxiety peaked through the roof from a funny feeling, and now Day 3 I am dizzy and feeling sick to my stomach, and of course, anxiety through the roof again because of the weird feeling I have. I did notice stomach pain decreased with eating oatmeal. I think this will be my last day taking medicine. Through this all, I’m still bloated and constantly burping as I was doing prior to taking the meds."

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 7, 2018

Pantoprazole for GERD "I have both IBS and Gastritis. Protonix has been a complete game changer for me. Without it, I have chronic nausea, difficulties tolerating food, vomiting, low energy, and headache. My days were very difficult prior to being prescribed this med. I feel incredibly better."

• Tee...
• December 17, 2015

Pantoprazole for GERD "This was the worst medication I have ever taken. I was just prescribed this medication last week. After being on it for only 2 days, I stopped. Headache was unbearable. I thought I was going to have to go to the hospital to get a CAT scan until I realized it was probably the Protonix. Then there was the nausea that came along as well. Five days later, I'm still nauseous, but used ginger to help with that. Overall, I will never use this medicine again."

• Anu...
• October 2, 2020

For GERD "Took this stuff for 4 months on my GI's advice. I absolutely felt pathetic while I was on it (stomach cramps, constipation, dizziness, headaches, and more). Finally, the day arrived when the GI said to stop doing it (cold turkey), oh boy! It made my life miserable from that day. My B12 went super low (close to 100), I developed gastritis, and my GI wanted me to do Prilosec now. What an idiot! Started Pepcid now to manage the acid rebound from my initial dosage of 4 months. Never ever going back on this rubbish again."

• MsS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2020

Pantoprazole for GERD "I took this for about 2 and a half months. Halfway through, I told my Dr it wasn't working. He said I was under stress. Not. Then I developed a hot, itchy rash on my arms and face. They told me to stop taking it and start Nexium. I didn't because, to me, they seem to have the same risk. Being off Protonix is almost as bad as being on it. Terrible acid reflux. I am sleeping sitting up, I can't eat very much, I can hardly wake up and start falling asleep around 7 PM, and I have had a headache off and on for 3 days. Going to an internal medicine specialist next because I’d like to know the reason for the reflux I have had for 1.5 years, not just take a medication."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2021

For GERD "Doctor prescribed these to me 7 days ago for GERD. After the 3rd day, I had to go off of them. Every bone in my body hurt. I had heart palpitations late at night, even after taking my dose in the morning. I am already prone to anxiety, and this made my anxiety 100x worse. I would wake up in the middle of the night unable to go back to sleep. I could feel my heart rate elevated. Then the headaches came. I also had random crying spells that were not brought on by anything happening. I had to go off of them. The side effects immediately stopped the day I went off of them. These pills are horrible. I asked my doctor to take me off of them due to the side effects, and she didn't even believe me. She said, 'Well, you have anxiety, so that's all that is. It is not the pills.' It absolutely IS the pills!"

• Pau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2021

For GERD "I thought I was going mad! I started out with bloating, diarrhea, headaches, to feeling complete body pain and racing heartbeat. Then the anxiety full on. My doctor switched me from Nexium, which comes with its own faults, to pantoprazole. Saves him having to make a call for a prescription number, as Nexium in Australia is restricted. I searched online after feeling terrible and found this page. Thank goodness I'm not alone. I hope others heed our warnings."

• Jea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2023

For GERD "I take this for GERD, but it doesn't work. I am experiencing headaches, and brain fog, and can’t eat. I have no energy. I don’t walk anymore for exercise, I simply cannot continue it. I was prescribed 0.40 mg twice daily. I just can’t do this. Is it just me that reacts this way to the medication?"

• Hll...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2021

Pantoprazole for GERD "I started taking Protonix a few months ago. I’m 19 and have never had any prior health issues besides bad acid reflux. I was taking Protonix for about a week and started to notice awful headaches. By week two, I was having awful dizzy spells, and I avoided going to class because I thought I was going to pass out. I thought all of these side effects were related to when I had COVID a month prior, so I overlooked it. After taking this medicine for a month, I went to the ER twice because I felt like my heart was skipping beats, I was nauseous, couldn’t catch my breath, tingling in my hands and feet, and my dizzy spells were unbearable. The doctors summed it up to panic attacks, which I knew was wrong because I’m not an anxious person. I researched Protonix online and realized a lot of other people had the same side effects. DO NOT take this medicine!!! It made me feel like I was going crazy, and for a whole month, I couldn’t do anything because of dizzy spells!"

• jis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 26, 2019

For Barrett's Esophagus "So what I read, this is supposed to be a 'short term' med. When my GERD acts up, I lose my voice and feel a constant lump in my throat. Nothing seems to help. I look on the web. I also have allergies/post nasal drip. Yes, even drinking water seems to make it worse. I eat a lot of bread, and I eat a lot of cottage cheese. Learned today that stuffed olives may even help - lol. I have had 2 scopes - both Barrett's, but the biopsy shows no cancer. Then I read this drug may cause stomach cancer. Started having problems again a few weeks ago with my throat - started back on drinking lots of water, allergy spray, and Pantoprazole only to have headaches, no energy, extreme gas, insomnia, and watery stools. After a week, I still have no voice/feeling weaker because of all the pooping. Also learned the med depletes Vitamin B?? I will not take it tonight or ever again - will go get Nexium, which I took in the past, and try to get my voice as well as my bowel habits back. BE VERY CAREFUL OF THIS MEDICATION."

• Ran...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2018

For GERD "I've always had heartburn, but not to the extent that it lasts 3 days straight in a row. I went to my family doctor, and he prescribed 40 mg Pantoprazole. That evening, I took 1 pill. The next 2 days were absolute hell. It started off with a huge headache, then both of my arms started to hurt, then my chest, the back of my neck started aching and burning, and then my jaw. I honestly thought I was having a heart attack. I will never take this medication again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2016

For GERD "I have been on 40 mg twice a day for 2 weeks. I can't shake this awful headache. Then a week ago, I woke up feeling as though I was hit with the flu. Body hurting all over, severe headache, restless, no energy, cotton mouth to the extreme, no appetite. Been so sick haven't even noticed if the medicine is actually working for what I am taking it for. Went to the doctor, tested me for flu, pneumonia, strep, you name it, and found nothing. Pain is unbelievable and continuous. Stopped taking the medicine yesterday and showing huge signs of improvement. I will stick to my bottle of Tums a day over that horrific pain. Not worth it. Heartburn is painful, but at least I can go about my day with it. This medicine I couldn't even get out of bed."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2016

For GERD "I have been on 40 mg twice a day for 2 weeks. I can't shake this awful headache. Then a week ago, I woke up feeling as though I was hit with the flu. Body hurting all over, severe headache, restless, no energy, cotton mouth to the extreme, no appetite. Been so sick haven't even noticed if the medicine is actually working for what I am taking it for. Went to the doctor, tested me for flu, pneumonia, strep, you name it, and found nothing. Pain is unbelievable and continuous. Stopped taking the medicine yesterday and showing huge signs of improvement. I will stick to my bottle of Tums a day over that horrific pain. Not worth it. Heartburn is painful, but at least I can go about my day with it. This medicine I couldn't even get out of bed."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2018

Pantoprazole for GERD "I took Protonix for about a week, and every time I took it, I got a severe headache every day. It did help to keep my heartburn at bay, but to me, it is not worth it for the side effects. My mood dropped because of this medicine, and I just did not feel like myself. I have stopped taking this medicine, and I am now taking Zantac 150 mg. Took effect, and it is working wonders for me."

• Tin...
• December 16, 2017

Pantoprazole for Barrett's Esophagus "I have been on this medicine for a while, and as long as I take it as I'm supposed to, I'm good. The only side effect is a headache for the first couple of days, but other than that, I really like this medicine. It's much better than being sick and in pain all the time."

• Lew...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2019

For GERD "Prescribed pantoprazole by specialist twice a day. Started with a massive headache, then terrible nausea. Throat burns! Can't even eat mild foods without pain. Seems counterproductive. Even water is hard to swallow. This drug is not good for me. Only been on for a week and a half. Every day is worse, even though I'm eating considerably less (and bland) due to discomfort. Foods I could eat 2 weeks ago cause me pain now. I tried to stick it out for at least a couple of weeks, but this is the worst. I need to go back to the doctor to see if something else is going on."

• 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."