20 mg 1X D
| Key to ratings for aciphex: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine. |
| Rating | Reason | Side Effects | Comments | Sex | Age | Time Taken and Dosage | Date Added | |
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| 3 | GERD | Terrible back pain. | It definitely helped my GERD. And I had to take it because of the severity of my problem. However, lifestyle changes can significantly help, and then these drugs aren't as necessary. | F | 41 | 14 days 20 mg 1X D | 2/4/2010 | 5 | Nausea, diahhrea, abdominal pain | None. | I was really concerned about taking this drug because of the side effects that other users on this site had reported. I have a history of getting rare side effects. My quality of life was pretty marginal from my symptoms and did not want to get worse. My doctor prescribed this after an upper and lower GI revealed only mild inflammation. This stuff started working right away. Within a week, I felt better than I had in months. For me, this drug was close to a medical miracle. | F | 59 | 2 weeks | 1/30/2010 | 1 | GERD | Lump in throat, worse chest pains, heart palpatations and frewuent bowle movements | M | 58 | 7 days | 1/24/2010 | 1 | Gerd | I am 31 years old and should not feel this bad! After the first pill 20mg I started being iritable. Today my hip is aching so bad. I feel like I got a hip injection. My hip feels broken. I am having flu symptoms also. I took another pill this evening I can't walk now. I will not be taking this anymore. I will just suffer from GERD. | BEWARE | F | 31 | 2 days | 1/20/2010 | 1 | acid reflux | Severe muscle soreness, gas, chest pain, yeast infection after a few days of taking it. | F | 52 | 7 days | 12/19/2009 | 3 | ulcers/gatritis | muscle weakness, joint pain, fatigue | I thought I was crazy! I am relieved to see that I was not imagining the side effects! The medicine did relieve my stomach problems but it is not worth the joint pain. | F | 42 | 10 days | 12/18/2009 | 5 | Very bad indigestion and nausea | Absolutely NO side effects EXCEPT ONE VERY POSITIVE ONE. I AM COMPLETELY ASTOUNDED---MY HOTFLASHES HAVE STOPPED in addition to the original problems. 49 year old female who had hot flashes every 15 minutes, every hour, 24/7 which had started 3 years ago and became steadily worse. Still had a distance to go before reaching menopause and was dreading it if early signs were any indication what was to come. | Very active individual and this drug has completely eliminated all issues. | F | 49 | 3 weeks | 12/16/2009 | 4 | Barret's, GERD, gastroparisis, refl | AT FIRST - I believed achiphex caused my dizziness, and just about every other side effect listed here. After almost 3 years of pure hell, I found out the problem was the cholesterol med. I was prescribed! It was this drug (zocor) that literally tore up my GI track. | IF YOU TAKE A STATIN (Zocor. Lipitor, Crestor, ect.) FOR CHOLESTEROL, THIS COULD BE YOUR PROBLEM, AND NOT THE ACHIPHEX (or any other PPI)!!! I can't say that strongly enough!!! The side effects are VERY similar to what I see here, and it fooled my doctors and myself for three years! You can safely stop taking a statin for a week. If your symptoms improve (as mine did), you'll know it was the statin and not the PPI. From what I can tell, the statin caused virtually everyone of my GI issues (including bile reflux). I wish I had found out sooner. I even had a Nissan Fundelplication (sp?) and even that didn't stop the reflux. It was only AFTER I stopped the statin (zocor) that my GI issues cleared up. I later tried Crestor when cardiologist suggested it, and within 3 DAYS my stomach started acting up again. 5 days off, and I'm ok again. I'm still not 'perfect', but I am at least functioning once again. I implore you to use this site to see the side effects of your cholesterol drug to see if the symptoms match up. If they do, I highly suggest stopping your cholesterol med. for a week or so and see if your symptoms clear up!! | M | 46 | 3 years | 12/14/2009 | 2 | Acid refulx symptoms | Since taking Aciphex my heartburn and indigestion have been getting worse and worse, I'm tired, achy, severe stomach pains, intense headaches, hypothyroid, nausea, can't eat anything without feeling very sick afterward and thus weight loss | I was given this drug originally due to signs of acid reflux by inflammed epiglottis and sinuses, but didn't have any other hearburn or stomach pain symptoms. After a couple years taking this I've become very sensitive to food, have horrible indigestion and heartburn even if it's just a piece of toast. I have body aches, especially back, hips and knees, and headaches. I've been tested as hypothyroid and had to start taking thyroid medicine. | F | 32 | 3 years | 12/9/2009 | 5 | GERD | None that I am aware of. | Has been a lifesaver for me but now my insurance no longer covers it. I take a 20 mg. only every second or third day now and feel great. I started with two a day for a week then one a day for a while but I just started taking them less frequently. | M | 54 | 3 days | 11/28/2009 | 1 | Gerd and ulcerated osephegus (sp?) | Headaches and bad stomach pains after nearly every meal. Because I had my gall bladder out a few months before being prescribed Aciphex I have put all my symptoms down to this. However it is now 3.5 years later and I have to accept that all the symptoms I still have must be due to side effects from the medication. | The thing about this drug is that it does help with my GERD - it completely eliminates it. However, the stomach pains I have are getting worse and worse and it does not seem natural to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach for year after year. I have decided to reduce it to every other evening for a month (I'm on 10mg an evening) and then stop it completely | F | 56 | 3.5 years | 11/15/2009 | 3 | Acid Reflux | Extreme Bloating feeling after a normal size meal. Lethargic, lack of concentration, often feel like a cloud in my head. | Taking 20mg since June 09', works well for me and stops the burning, however I have gained 12 pounds and eat pretty healthy. Get very bloated and feel full after a regular size meal. Also am very tired. | M | 42 | 6 months | 11/10/2009 | 1 | Barrett's | I have degenerated into borderline osteo (-1.9 when threshold is -2.5). Calcium uptake interference is a known side effect. Why did sawbones not give stern warnings? Fortunately, I weaned myself off (with difficulty, after 18 months) but only after decalcification cost me 4 teeth. Bone grafts have cost me $3,000 and will cost at least $12,000 more that we know of. | Doctor prescribed lifetime 40mg when insert specifies 20mg with 1-year limit. Women break hips on Aciphex twice as often, according to 2007 study that was published before my prescription. | M | 63 | 18 months | 11/4/2009 | 2 | Barret's Esophagus | Awakened by intense headache, and was overwhelmed with dizziness that is long-lasting and debilitating. | Took one 20mg AcipHex in the morning for 4 mornings, then during night before 5th morning, awakened with unbelievable headache, got up,dizziness was overwhelming, and long lasting - will contact doctor tomorrow. Have tried Prilosec, Nexium, Protonix all with debilitating symptoms, severe pains in hips, back, legs, spine, but none with the consuming dizziness I experienced with AcipHex. | F | 75 | 4 days | 11/1/2009 | 1 | Nausea caused by Anxiety | nausea, loss of appetite, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, anxiety, chest pains, tingling arms, weakness, dizziness, diarrhea, bloating, heartburn | I went to the dr due to nausea, she did all sorts of tests and anxiety is the root cause. She prescribed 20mg aciphex to ease the nausea(she assumed my stomach was too acidic), symptoms got worse, so she prescribed 60mg Kapidex. Now symptoms are way worse and I am not taking either anymore. If you are on these proton pump inhibitors for anxiety, I do not recommend it at all. It will just progress your symptoms. Now that I stopped taking it, I have heartburn which I never had before I took the medication. It can cause this effect for a while until your sytem gets back to normal. | F | 23 | 4 weeks | 10/23/2009 | 1 | Severe Acid Reflux | Monthly yeast infections | Once a month like clockwork while taking aciphex, I got a yeast infection. Since quitting aciphex over a year ago, I've had 1. Aciphex isn't worth the trouble it causes. I now take over the counter pills called Titralac. | F | 26 | 1 years | 10/21/2009 | 3 | GERD and Esophagitis | Acne, slight nausea | It doesn't completely eliminate my acid reflux. And after eating I feel nauseated sometimes. The acne is the worst side effect. I used to have a pimple every now and then. Now it's all the time. | F | 40 | 2 months | 10/15/2009 | 3 | gastritis | belching, ringing in ears, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, dry mouth, stomach pain, all over bloating | drug helped a lot with gerd but side effects are too scary to deal with | F | 35 | 2 months | 10/14/2009 | 5 | none | F | 55 | 6 months | 10/11/2009 | 3 | Gastritis | Muscle pain,ringing in the ears,hard heartbeat,and anxiety. | The medicine did help with the gastritis but with all of the symptoms I was experiencing I would rather have the gastritis. | F | 28 | 3 weeks | 9/28/2009 | 5 | GERD | None | Works well for me. Had two endoscopic exams over the 7+ years both normal esophagus/stomach. | F | 49 | 7 years | 9/7/2009 | 1 | reflux | Got Worse | F | 55 | 2 days | 9/3/2009 | 1 | reflux going into throat | was on a double dose ( bid dose) of aciphex for 5 months. during that time I started to develop chest and stomach pains, and diarrhea My diarrhea had improved but I still get bad stomach and chest pains all most all the time. I told my doctor that i was getting these pains and he told me to keep taking the aciphex. I should have never listened to him | this was a very bad drug for me. watch out for side effects. | M | 51 | 5 months | 8/20/2009 | 1 | Gerd | headaches, dizziness, cold sweats,unbelievable anxiety, diarrhea, heart palpitations, severe stomach cramps, rash, felt like I had bugs. | I had to see a heart doctor thinking my heart was bad, I have been so out of it, I couldn't run my own business. The pharmacy didn't have any of these side effects noted! | M | 41 | 1 months | 8/18/2009 | 5 | Acid Reflux | None. This drug has so far only made me feel better. | Used this drug - stomach felt better than in years. Then insurer decided to switched me to the cheaper Nexium - this ended up in a disaster (I went to the emergency room with a suspected aneurysm). Once I figured out it was the switch, I had the doctor put me back on AciPhex. All symptoms gone - I am happy as a clam. | M | 43 | 3 months | 8/17/2009 | 2 | acid reflus | I have had 2 of the worse case scenarios of extrememe headache and cold chills. I live in Phx., AZ, I had taken my pill after church and took the pill knowing that my sister was cooking later that afternoon and I wanted to eat, then went to movies. I got the chills so bad in the movies, with naseau and headache that I went out into 105 degree temp. to sit in the car for 1 hour waiting for my niece to get out of the movie. The car closed up I was probably sitting in 108 degrees and it felt good finally. Then immediately after went home to sleep. The same exact thing happened the 2nd day of taking it. So this was my 4th time. | I did not realize that it was the aciphex until it happened 2x after taking it. | F | 61 | 4 days | 8/17/2009 | 5 | GERD | Is totally controlling acid reflux. But, experiencing muscle pain, muscle weakness and joint pain mostly in both forearms from elbows to wrists. Experienced bad fall as a result. | I would recommend but be alert to side effects. | F | 50 | 4 weeks | 8/15/2009 | 5 | gastritis | none | M | 1 weeks | 8/4/2009 | 4 | GERD that is caused by the CPAP | Very dry mouth and dry throat and full bladder | It is the only medication that seems to work. I believe my GERD and hiatial hernia are the cause of my gerd. | M | 61 | 5 days | 8/2/2009 | 4 | GERD, heartburn, reflux | headaches, dizziness, cold sweats, anxiety, diarrhea, constipation, palpitations, severe stomach cramps, rash | I started this drug about 4 1/2 to 5 years ago. For the most part, I've been pretty satisfied with it's effectiveness. Though I do not like the side effects that I have been experiencing. I also do not like the fact that if I miss a does, my heartburn comes back. Prior to this, I was on Pepcid before it was OTC. And after that, I was on Prevacid for a brief period of about 4 months before my insurance changed and it wouldn't cover it. I don't like that this could be habit forming and if you miss, you'll surely remember w/the heartburn you'll be getting. | M | 31 | 5 years | 7/29/2009 | 3 | reflux, heart palps,lump in throat | I have only taken it for one day. I had a medium to severe headache, a dry throat, some itchiness and a weird feeling on my outer right thigh of burning/ice. I wonder if these syptoms would go away if I continue treatment? I'm kinda scared after reading others' stories. I go to gastro doc today and I may ask for some natural remedies. Has anyone else had heart palpitations when they have reflux sypmtoms? I know this somehow ties in together. | I didn't take it long enough to tell if it was going to help my heartburn/reflux. | F | 39 | 1 days | 7/9/2009 | 2 | diagnosed acid reflux | all was well for about 4 weeks, but began to have twitching of my left hand, dizziness, heart palpitations and weird flutters. This drug scares the hell out of me. I just quit it and will be trying some Chinese herbal remedies instead. I will also really watch my diet. I think that I can deal with a life style change as opposed to suffering worse fro side efects. | M | 54 | 30 days | 6/29/2009 | 2 | GERD/Hiatal Hernia | forgetful along with tingling, twitching and tremors in both legs and feet | AciPhex definitely eased the pain of my GERD. I have been taking it for about 3 months and started feeling strange. I assumed the forgetfulness was from getting older but even my husband noticed changes in my personality (probably grumpy from all the symptoms). I decided to stop taking AciPhex last Sunday and am glad I did. A few weeks ago I started having twiching in both feet and was visible to others. It progressed to my legs from the knee down and I was sure I had a blot clot or severe circulation problems. I had twitches and tremors that would not stop and continue on and off througout the day. It would wake me up at night. With that said - I have not had any of those symptoms. Not sure if it was the AciPhex but that is the only medication I was taking. So far so good. Thanks to this website for I have learned a lot of information that was not of the preseciption side effects or fine print from the pharmacist pamphlet. I keep Tums and Pepcid in my purse just in case but all in all feel MUCH better without the AciPhex. Good luck and good health to you all. | F | 43 | 3 months | 6/13/2009 | 2 | gastritis, acid reflux | After a week or so, daily headaches, stomach bloating with diarrhea all day, and lightheaded with confusion. | I thank God I looked up the side effects and found this website. I thought something was very wrong with me! The diarrhea became so bad and the gas and bloating made me afraid to leave the house! The confusion had my husband and myself worried.. I couldn't remember where anything was, I lost checks, couldn't find the correct words to finish sentences, etc! A real mess! I am going to try the apple cider vinegar pills for a natural help. | F | 55 | 1.5 weeks | 6/11/2009 | 1 | Suspected acid reflux | Spacey feeling - especially in the morning for a few hours after taking Aciphex. Chest pain on and off. Mild and persistant dizziness. | The makers of the drug suggest a headache is the most common side effect - if that were it I'd stick with it. These side effects however were so immediate and pronounced that I've taken my last Aciphex pill. I have a 100% clean bill of health so the only likely cause of what I'm going through right now is Aciphex. No idea if this drug will work for you - for me the side effects are worse than the problem. | M | 42 | 6 days | 6/11/2009 | 4 | GERD | Dizziness, light headed. Not sure if those are caused by my hypoglycemia. No other side effects noticed as of right now | It has helped out very well. Was taking Nexium 40 mg 2 times a day for about 7 months. Taking the nexium shut off all acid production to where I was not able to digest certain foods. Now taking one 20 mg aciphex with meal. Much better results all around. Also taking it due to a new study out that Nexium causes bone loss?? Don't want to run that risk since osteporosis runs in the family. | M | 32 | 30 days | 5/24/2009 | 2 | When I started taking Aciphex a few months ago I felt it was a miracle drug for my acid reflux, GERD, whatever. I mean a flippin miracle. Lately I have started having mild headaches so I switched to Cimetadine and some other medication that starts with an f. I have even worse headaches today. Does all this over the counter stuff for indigestion cause headaches? I do not know what to do. I love coffee but may have to give it up if I have to take Aciphex to drink it. Just can't stand these headaches. | F | 59 | 6 months | 5/24/2009 | 1 | Silent Reflux | Increasingly severe chest pain, heart palpatations, hard to breath, weight gain and bloating, high blood pressure, insomnia | I started taking Aciphex about 8 months ago. I started to get out of breath thought it was because I was a long time smoker. Breathing became so bad I quit smoking. Three months later and breathing is worse and having chest pains and high blood pressure. Doc puts me on meds for blood pressure sends me for Nuc Stress Test, got results yesterday, heart 100% fine. Doc changes meds and ups aciphex. Come home do some research find this website. I now believe all symptoms are from Aciphex. Stopped taking meds last night. Slept like a baby and no chest pains waking me at night. Will never take again and will tell everyone I come in contact with about side affects! | F | 40 | 8 months | 5/20/2009 | 1 | acid reflux | Severely aggravated my existing Erythromelalgia (EM) (Burning feet). I also felt lethargic. | It works for acid reflux but aggravated my EM. The side effects are not worth it. Nexium does not seem to affect my EM. | M | 56 | 3 weeks | 5/12/2009 | 4 | Eosinophilic Esophagitis | Bloating, muscle weakness, could not concentrate, headaches, constipation. | Helped with my pressure in my esophagus, but was not worth it for the side effects. I would only take again if I had to. | F | 33 | 30 days | 5/1/2009 | 1 | Hiatal Hernia, GERD | Severe Hives, itchy throat (roof of mouth), heart palputations, some upper back pain | This drug worked great the first two days, but started feeling chest palputations and had an itchy throat, but thought it was from the pollen, by day three I broke out in a mild rash on my forearm, then my legs. Day seven and I'm competely covered in Hives and continue having palputations. Going to my Urgent care provider tomorrow for some relief. Tonight was my last night taking this horrible product. My doctor said there's no major side effects. Called pharmacisist, he said this drug normally does not cause hives. And we're supposed to believe these people. Going back on Pepcid AC, and apple cider Vinegar tablets. | F | 42 | 7 days | 5/1/2009 | 2 | acid reflux | allergic reaction; red skin and itchy; numbness on right side of face. blurred vision. Sensation of swollen eyes. | it actually worked very well for my acid reflux, but by 4th day I was itching, and by 5th day right side of my face went numb, and had difficulty focusing on printed material. | M | 49 | 5 days | 4/28/2009 | 1 | gerd | Three day headache. Not an inconvenient type headache, but a three days lying on my bed with a wet cloth over my face type headache. | I don't know if it works for acid problems, I did not take it long enough to find out. | F | 48 | 3 days | 4/28/2009 | 5 | GERD | None | Finally found the right med to control my reflux. Had two endoscopy procedures, dilating my esophagus, nothing worked, pricey med, but if you can't afford it, there are programs that can help. My meds are free. I can finally enjoy life again! | F | 25 | 5 months | 4/27/2009 | 3 | Gerd | Always had very low blood pressure. 3 mos. on this shot my blood pressure way up. having some anxiety. worst symptom though is the difficulty swallowing, almost choking on food or drink, coughing and glad to hear i'm not alone. nexium gave me blurred vision and confusion so not sure what to try now. i do not want to go back to vomiting acid. | it did get rid of the acid reflux for the most part. | F | 41 | 3 months | 4/22/2009 | 1 | heart palpatations, insomnia, dry eyes, muscle spasms, tingling in arms and legs, severe diahrea,bloating the worst,intestinal pain,chest pain, sore mouth and tongue,dry mouth, axiety, and more | Worked great for my acid reflux, but I can barely function from side effects. the doctor are nuts for giving this to anyone. thank God I realized it was the meds, took me 6 months of hell towake up, off for 3 days, feel like a new person. Also, had similar symptoms when taking protonix.I will stick to 1/2 bottle of Tums. | F | 43 | 6 months | 4/22/2009 | 1 | GERD | Headache, nausea, vomiting, weird sensation in legs after 3 days - warm from calf to knee on left leg, followed by pressure or painful sensation. Dr. thought it was a pinched sciatic nerve, but muscle relaxers and ibuprofen had no effect. I stopped taking the medicine yesterday, and I am feeling less of the warm sensations. I think it may take a few days to completely stop, since it took a few days to start. | I would rather have the GERD symptoms than this. It was really scary. I went to the ER because I thought I had a blood clot in my leg - I could feel that something was wrong with my circulation. | F | 30 | 8 days | 4/20/2009 | 1 | GERD | Rapid heartbeat, irregular heartbeat and severe headaches. | Doc was examining me and went to search side effects. The drug rep for this drug happened to be in the office at the time and he told him he'd never prescribe it again because my heartbeat was so irregular. I'd never had it before and never since. | F | 48 | 7 days | 4/19/2009 | 4 | GERD | none | This worked great, but after my first presciption fill, the insurance company demanded that my Dr. change it to a less expensive med. I had a 90 day supply but did not take it everyday. It lasted me a year. Now on Nexium - not sure if it is working and might be having side effects, can't tell since I was also taking allergy meds. | F | 38 | 1 years | 4/18/2009 | 1 | Acid reflux | Left arm pain, dizziness, diarrhea | I just took my first dose today, and I will never take it again. I asked my dr. when he prescribed it to me if there are any side effects, and all he said was that I might experience loose stools. Not only have I had bad diarrhea, but I am also experiencing pain in my left arm and dizziness. I was ready to go to the hospital until I came here and read how many other people have had the same side effects. I am not taking one more dose. He also told me to take Prilosec after I finished the three day sample he gave me, but reading how similar the side effects are for that, I would rather have the acid reflux. | F | 27 | 1 days | 4/18/2009 | 1 | acid reflux and day & night sweats | Head heavy dizziness, impaired equilibrium, insomnia, tummy bloating, stomach and leg cramping, headaches, mild heart palpitations - all progressive in nature. | The first six days I felt great. All previous symptoms and reasons for taking medication quickly disappeared; the feeling of the need to constantly vomit, heartburn, constant day and night sweats were gone, coughing disappeared, the strange foggy headaches went away. * Day seven was the onset of dizziness and imbalance. When I turned my head or made any moderate to quick movement, my brain lagged behind as if it were in a delay only it became worse progressively through the day, each day. I thought I was having a Stroke. Then came the mild palpitations and headahces, tummy bloating and leg cramping came next along with limited sleep. | M | 52 | 16 days | 4/12/2009 | 2 | GERD | Dizzy,Stomach cramps,sick stomach | Worst medicine I have ever taken. | F | 36 | 1 months | 4/4/2009 | 1 | Acid Reflux | Dizziness, tight chest, shortness of breath, insomnia, anxiety, depression. | This pill is like posion. I was already being tested for some dizziness issues and this just compounded it. I felt like I was dying taking this medication and I'm only 29 yrs old. I report this to the FDA and suggest you all do the same. | F | 29 | 4 days | 3/30/2009 | 5 | Acid reflux | None | Works perfectly! have lived acid free since I started taking it. | M | 65 | 12 months | 3/29/2009 | 4 | Pre Cancerous cell | Blurry vision (getting better), insomnia, cough ( the cough is so unbearable I know this is were the insomnia is coming from)I have to sleep in the other bedroom just so my husband can sleep. The Doctor explained to me this will take 8 weeks. I can't wait. Otherwise the product is working well for me. I know I will be looking for something else to work for me, but for now I will give this a try. | For the price this is a plus!!!!!!!!!! | F | 48 | | 3/26/2009 | 2 | GERD | Feeling of food stuck in throat, belching. Originally started with feeling of weakness and pressure on chest (had stress test which came back normal). Had discomfort after almost every meal even tho was eating bland foods and no caffeine or acid or fatty foods. | Finally went for a second opinion and more tests and had to stop taking Aciphex for week before tests. Found I felt same without the Aciphex. When got results of tests did not have GERD (just a nerve sensitivity), but doctor said I now have small cysts on stomach from the Aciphex. | F | 65 | 15 weeks | 3/25/2009 | 1 | gerd | spacey,confused,just not feeling right.itchy,tingly,headaches | F | 50 | 9 days | 3/21/2009 | 4 | GERD, extreme acid reflux | Anxiety, and chest pains for the first week and a half. | I've been taking 2 (20 mg) tablets a day. After the first week and a half, the additional chest pain and anxiety - that i think are from the medication - subsided. I felt it was worth going through because the burning, aching, chest pains (pain under my sternum) that I was having on a daily basis were so bad i could barely focus at work. I've taken Aciphex before and I recognized what was the acid reflux pains and what were caused by the medication. This works better for me than Prevacid or Protonix (which seem to do nothing at all).I've been on aciphex on and off since I was 26. I would also urge you to change your diet - eating smaller meals more frequently rather than 3 a day can help more than you would realize. I also seem to get reflux isues when my estrogen levels are low - if anyone has the same issue - please email me. Thank you. | F | 29 | 3 years | 3/16/2009 | 3 | GERD | extreme anxiety, fatigue, blurred vision, constipation. | I have been taking 20mg once a day for the past 4 years plus. It did help me with the acid reflux but every time I tried to get off I coudn't. Now I'm trying taking it every other day and I'm starting to feel the acid. Any suggestions in how to come off this medication is very much appreciated. | F | 45 | 4 years | 3/14/2009 | 5 | acid reflux | None | Only acid reflux medication that did not give me side effects of severe stomach pain. | M | 63 | 3 years | 3/13/2009 | 1 | excess stomach acid/crohn's | after taking only one dose, severe diarrhea | zantac was working just fine, physician suggested aciphex because I would only have to take once a day | F | 36 | 1 days | 3/12/2009 | 4 | Chronic heartburn | Hot flashes, sleepnessless starting 2 days after starting Aciphex. I have been post-menopausal for 12 years yet started having hot flashes again! | Drug really worked instantly on my GERD. Best relief in years (I was popping Pepcids before). | F | 62 | 6 weeks | 3/4/2009 | 5 | Gastritis acid reflux | None | After 15 years of trying to control increasing severity of acid reflux and gastritis, this drug has been a miracle - the first time for years I've felt really well and able to eat and drink anything. I'm posting this because logically most of the postings will be from people who experience side effects (with whom I sympathise - I've experienced bad side effects from other medicines) - positive experiences are less likely to get posted. My advice: drugs affect people differently, and you've got to try them yourself and see what happens. | F | 66 | 2 years | 2/16/2009 | 4 | GERD | Slight ED | It seems that after I started taking Aciphex I could not retain an erection. This had not happened before the prescription. | M | 50 | 2 months | 2/14/2009 | 3 | Chest pain, stiff neck, headaches, weight gain | M | 54 | 30 days | 2/12/2009 | 1 | Acid Related Gastritis | dry mouth w/ weird taste, incredible heartburn, depression, anxiety, fatigue | i don't take a lot of meds. Never reacted to something so badly. Be careful taking this, everyone noticed i wasn't myself. Hit a breaking point when I was crying every day for no reason and freaking out. It all started a wk after i started taking the meds. Also no matter how much i slept, i was completely exhausted. dr told me not a normal reaction but suggested i go off it anyways. | F | 26 | 3 weeks | 2/5/2009 | 5 | acid reflux | none | aciphex changed my life! I had terrible GERD on a daily basis, once I started taking this, I didn't suffer again. I LOVE IT! | F | 44 | 4 years | 1/31/2009 | 1 | GERD | THOUGHT I WAS HAVING A STROKE, MY RIGHT ARM AND LEG BECAME WEAK AND TINGLY AND I FELT "SPACEY". | I WOULD HAVE CALLED 911 AND WASTED A LOT OF MONEY RULING OUT A STROKE IF I HAD NOT FOUND THIS WEBSITE AND REALIZED IT WAS THE ACIPHEX CAUSING MY SXS. ONLY TOOK IT A FEW DAYS,WILL NEVER TAKE IT AGAIN. ANYONE KNOW HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR SXS. TO DISAPPEAR? | F | 57 | 10 days | 1/24/2009 | 3 | GERD | Upper back pain, pain/bloating in stomach and esophagus, hives. | I started taking it daily and then every other day and then every third day. This is strong medicince and it's effects will last several days. Yesterday, I started breaking out in hives, so I can no longer take it. I will stick to Tums/maalox and diet changes for now. It really did help with the stomach acid though. | F | 41 | 10 days | 1/13/2009 | 5 | cough | No side effects | Coughed almost constantly until taking Aciphex. Overnight vast improvement. Ins co refused future reimbursements. Provided Omeprazole. Cough has returned to some degree and back pain is severe for several hours after just 20 mg. Would love to get Aciphex back again! | F | 62 | 1.5 years | 1/10/2009 | 2 | I just started taking aciphex. It's been less than a week but my reflux seems much worse. I wake up finding my chest enlarged from so much reflux. I have to call my doctor today and let her know. I don't know why it's not working! | F | 41 | 6 days | 1/5/2009 | 4 | acid reflux | neck stiffness, gas, some weight gain | alleviated severe acid reflux almost overnight; have experienced some insomnia but not sure if related to Aciphex or increased stress at work | M | 61 | 6 weeks | 12/30/2008 | 1 | GERD | racing heart, tremor, anxiety, throat constriction | Worked well for my GERD but couldn't stand the side effects. Tried Prilosec, Protonix, Aciphex, Nexium - same thing. Finally stopped everything (mistake - I should have tapered off) and had a very difficult week! It took 4-5 days for the heart pounding to stop, and almost a week to stop shaking. Now I'm trying lifestyle changes and orange peel extract. | F | 52 | 4 weeks | 12/27/2008 | 1 | GERD | Sleeplessness Heartburn | Had to stop taking Aciphex. I stopped and started again in ten days to ensure that the side effects were indeed caused by Aciphex. | M | 49 | 7 days | 12/20/2008 | 1 | GERD | On the third day, sudden dizziness about 20 minutes after taking it. I passed out and fell down; lucky not to have been seriously injured. | Prescribing doctor claims he has never heard of this problem. | M | 62 | 3 days | 12/16/2008 | 1 | Acid Reflux | I tried Apple Cider Vinegar Tablets (I understand that Vinegar and honey also works) as a way to help my Acid Reflux - and I have not have a symptom for two weeks. The problem with Acid Reflux is not the acid, but a lack of acid to help digest the food quickly and get it out of your stomach and into your system. I tried a lot of other things, but the Apple Cider Vinegar tablets works for me. I did a lot of research on line and checked out an European study about the benefits of apple cider vinegar. I admit that I do not like to take Doc prescribed drugs and this has worked for me. Hope it works for you. | M | 54 | | 12/12/2008 | 1 | servere heartburn | After taking the prescibed dose, I became very tired and almost immediately needed to take a nap. Very bad headaches that lasted for about an hour after taking 4 advil. Very dizzy...an airy feeling in my head. Had a difficult time falling asleep. I've taken the meds for 3 days, and I'm stopping to see if my head clears up. I just feel very unstable. | 43 | | 12/8/2008 | 1 | acid reflux | Dizziness, light headedness within 24 hours of taking one dose. | It certainly gets rid of the acid reflux but at a price I am not willing to pay - DIZZINESS. Dr. said no way it could cause dizziness but as you read these postings you see others with same side effect. I take it when stomach gets real bad but then I spend 2-3 days getting over the dizziness. | M | 53 | 2 days | 12/8/2008 | 1 | GERD, Cough, Hoarseness | On 2nd day, felt weak and dizzy when walking up stairs and my heart started pounding with palpitations. | I can't wait to get this out of my system. It feels like poison. | F | 56 | 2 days | 12/6/2008 | 3 | GERD | ANXIETY, SHORTNESS OF BREATHE, LIGHTHEADEDNESS, AND OVERALL FEELING OF WEAKNESS, NOT TO MENTION THE BOUTS OF INSOMNIA. | I THOUGHT I WAS ABOUT TO GO CRAZY.. I AM NOT MUCH OF TAKING MEDS UNTIL RELENTLESS HEARTBURN TOOK OVER MY DAY TO DAY FUNCTIONS. I STARTED WITH OTC STUFF.. THE DOC SAID THAT WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT ALL.. BUT LOW AND BEHOLD IT GOT WORSE.. THEN STARTED WITH AL THE RX'S. BAD IDEA.. ALL OF MY SIDE EFFECTS TOOK OVER MY LIFE. I HAD STRESS TESTS, ULTRASOUNDS , NOT TO MENTION THE ER VISITS. I AM 26 , A PARAMEDIC, AND A COMPETITVE WEIGHT LIFTER.. THESE MEDS ALMOST PUT ME OUT OF COMISSION. NO ONE COULD ANSWER IF WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING WAS SIDE EFFECTS OR IF I WAS FALLING APART FROM THE INSIDE OUT. WELL I HAVE BEEN OFF THE RX'S FOR A FEW DAYS WITH SOME RELIEF OF THE SIDE EFFECTS, BUT STILL WITH SOME WEAKNESS AND LIGHT HEADEDNESS. HOW LONG TILL I GET BACK TO NORMAL? I HAVE BEEN USEING APPLE CIDAR VINEGAR FOR FLARE UP WHICH SEEMS TO BE HELPING. ANY ADVICE? THANKS TO THIS WEBSITE I AM A LITTLE MORE AT EASE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE! | M | 26 | 4 months | 11/26/2008 | 1 | Reflux | Sweating, chills, back pain, tremors and just overall not well feeling | I take heavy medications for a severe myopathy and this medication started to block the other medications, increasing the level of pain I had which isn't good. I wouldn't take this unless it was the last option. | M | 40 | 5 days | 11/17/2008 | 5 | GERD | None | I've been taking aciphex for about 2 years now. I've had nothing but success. Dr took me off for a while for an over the counter medication. Within days the heartburn returned and was unbearable. Within hours of taking aciphex my heartburn went away. I don't know of any side effects that I've experienced. Only problem is the VA hospital and TRICARE have removed it from their list of meds. Now my co-pay is a little high, about $27 for 45 pills, but its worth the money for me | M | 56 | 2 years | 11/10/2008 | 2 | heartburn | heartburn got worse instead of better. Headaches, bloating | F | 43 | 6 days | 11/9/2008 | 1 | GERD, Barrett's | I'm not going to list my side effects, but I can say that Aciphex & all the other PPI meds are POISON! Please follow this link to a completely NATURAL & CHEAP method of controlling reflux: earthclinic.com/CURES/acid_reflux_and_apple_cider_vinegar.html | M | 41 | 1 years | 11/9/2008 | 1 | Hiatal Hernia, Gastritis | Spastic stomach pains, terrible cramping, unstoppable diarrhea | I was ok on aciphex for the first 2 weeks, then I started getting these horrible pains that worsened, and ended up with diarrhea that progressed from a couple days, to a full 2 weeks. They switched me to prevacid. | F | 25 | 30 days | 11/7/2008 | 4 | gerd | M | 28 | 2 years | 10/28/2008 | 3 | gastritis | Gassy, stomach pain, increase in IBS. Hot flashes/Night and Day Sweats, depression, anxiety. | Not sure if hot flashes and sweats are due to Aciphex or menopause, but they coincidentally started soon after starting Aciphex. It did ease heartburn almost 100%, though. | F | 50 | 2 months | 10/22/2008 | 4 | Stomach ulcer | Weakness in upper left arm/shoulder. | Diagnosed with a stomach ulcer, I was prescribed Prevacid at first, but had bad ringing in the ear after the 2nd dose so I stopped the Prevacid for a week or two. The burning came back worse than before and I was then prescribed Aciphex instead. Aciphex immediately stopped the gnawing pain within a couple of hours, and I have had great relief ever since. The only side effect I noticed is ongoing muscle weakness in my left shoulder/arm since being on it, but it is mild and so much better than the constant burning/gnawing sensations in my stomach. | M | 41 | 5 weeks | 10/4/2008 | 5 | Acid Reflux | Headaches, dry mouth, heart palpitations. | This has worked wonders for me. I suffered with Acid Reflux for years, and tried Nexium, Priloec, and Prevacid... they didn’t work for me. Recently I switched to Omeprazole because my copay went up and the Aciphex was too expensive. Bad Idea. My symptoms are back, heart burn, stomach making noises, burping, etc. I am now switching back to Achiphex. With Aciphex I'm able to eat spicy foods with no problem. From what I have read it sound like medicines for Acid Reflux all cause side effects. I tried going without medicine but felt terrible. So I still take it and it works for the Acid Reflux but then you get other side effects. That’s the crappy thing about meds. | F | 42 | 1 years | 9/30/2008 | 1 | GERD | I've tried it several times... every time have gas, diarrhea, headache, anxiety... major heart palpitations this time, too. very scared. helped to read other posts. I'm not taking it any more. | F | 51 | 3 days | 9/5/2008 | 1 | Heartburn and Nausia | I experienced heart palpitations, light headiness, and fatigue. I am a runner, so the symptoms were very disturbing. | After I stopped taking Aciphex the heart palpitations stopped, tried Nexium for 2 days with dizziness as a side effect, now I am taking otc pepcid. I might try to get by on tums until the doctor can figure out whats causing the heartburn. | F | 42 | 2 weeks | 9/2/2008 | 1 | Dr. Prescriped for chest pain | Dizziness, weird headaches, sinus pressure, blurred vision, severe bloating after eating, insomnia, pain in back and neck, upset stomache, loose stools, not feeling good at all!! | I went to Dr. with tight chest, lump in throat, dry cough, rapid heart beat. After chest e-xrays, ekgs, vital tests all being normal he said it was anxiety. Gave me Xanax, took for 3 days and stopped since I felt like killing myself and did absoulutely nothing for my problems. Went back, saw a different doctor who prescribed Aciphex. I started taking, no help, ended up back in emergency room with same problems and really bad head/sinus ache. Emergency doc said same thing, anxiety and keep taking Aciphex. Achiphex hasn't helped, only made me worse. Now I have pain in back, neck, tight muscles, get extremely bloated after eating, can't sleep, feel bad all of the time. Keep in mind I've never had stomache or any kind of physical problems. I am going to stop taking and see what happens. I skipped one pill and seemed to do alright. Will let you know. | F | 30 | 14 days | 8/22/2008 | 1 | GERD & Reflux | Ever since I began taking Aciphex it was almost like my symptoms got worse. I was burping, having diarehea, terrible abdominal pain and constantly movement in my stomach. I was also experiencing tingling in my arms and joint pain. I have been back to my GI doctor and even to a surgeon (thinking maybe I had a hernia), gone for gall bladder tests, blood work, kidney test, stomach scan and nothing has showed up as being wrong. I have felt like I am losing my mind because the symptoms have been so bad. I finally ran out of the medicine and thought "Hmmm I wonder if this could be causing me all these problems" and I have been off it for 3 days. I have felt so much better. Immediately I noticed the difference in my body. I am so happy to not be taking this medicine anymore and I would NOT RECOMMEND this mediciation. Stick with over the counter meds. | M | 33 | | 8/15/2008 | 2 | ulcer | headache and dizziness. unable to concentrate. insomnia/anxiety, increased urination and drymouth at first. after taking aciphex for about a week and half, my arms and legs feel very weak. the back of my neck feels stiff. | i just called my doctor to find out if this was a reaction to aciphex. he told me no. i thought i would check out the side effects on their website, but i came across this site. thanks for the information. | F | 46 | 11 days | 8/10/2008 | 1 | I have acute gastritis | Muscle spasms, muscle breakdown, joint pain, headaches, anxiety, dehydration, heart palpitations. | I take 60 mg.of aciphex per day. At first it worked like a miracle, but now after 7 years, I have so many side effect and through many attempts of coming off of the drug I feel terrible everyday. This medicine helps one medical problem, but creates a dozen other problems. It is easy for the Doctors to say switch to Prilosec or Nexium or Zantax, which I have tried, but it is not any easy thing to do. You are hooked for life. If anyone has any advice on how to wean yourself off of this nasty medicine, I am open for suggestions. | M | 58 | 7 years | 8/8/2008 | 1 | GERD | Worked okay for the first few weeks, but then throat started to swell (could be other related), then started to feel tingling in arms and hot flashes in feet. Later I started to have anxiety attacks, depression, tiredness, almost blacked out one morning after waking up feeling anxious. Almost went to ER, but I'm sure that all they'd do is give me some anti-depressants and send me home. Going in for endoscopy to find root of problem. | M | 37 | 28 days | 8/8/2008 | 3 | GERD | None aprt from insomnia. | After taking this drug 20mg for 5 years I have only suffered minor side effects that passed very quickly, that at the time I did not atribute to this drug. However I then developed insomnia and decided as a precaution to reduce to 10mg. Ever since I started taking 10mg I have felt terrible, no energy, dizzy, depressed for no reason. Anyone know why this would be, given that I am now taking a reduced dose. (Still in the first week of taking this tho). Thanks. | F | 28 | | 8/7/2008 | 3 | reflux/gastritis chronic | Commented several months before and still the same, but added anxiety, not feeling good feeling, numbness in limbs and random stomach pains/cramps. They are infrequent and come and go. All of them and others in other ratings below , are listed on WebMd as 50/50 chance of occuring..Drink fluids and take tylenol and possibly vit b12 for relief of effects | This is a good drug in the short go for gasto ailments but not intended for long term use I believe. Get better and then switch to something less harsh on your system. | M | 32 | 6 months | 8/6/2008 | 5 | acid reflux | No side effects,when my nexium quit working my doctor put me on these, and they work better than nexium ever did for me. No side effects whatsoever would recommend great stuff! | M | 48 | 3 months | 7/30/2008 | 5 | Acid reflux | Works great, very seldom have any acid. Used to take 10-20 antacids a day. Now take 0. I had one side effect after several years of use - depression. It turns out this medication has a tendency to deplete vitamin B12 which can cause your moods to go bad. I started taking B12, and after about a month have almost totally stopped my antidepressants. | M | 56 | 7 years | 7/24/2008 |
| Key to
ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine. |