Aciphex side effects

I have been taking Aciphex for about a month when suddenly I started have terrible stomach pains, severe diarrhea, and extreme exhaustion. The exhaustion was so extreme I was sleeping for 2-3 hours a day, not even planning a nap, just crashing on a couch.
I feel bloated and my mouth is dry and feels metallic..in short I felt plain awful!
I thought I was fighting off a stomach flu, but it did not feel "fluish"..I then had one of those light bulb moments..this was the only new medicine I have added to my regular regime.
I am stopping this drug immediately..will let you know if my instinct is on target.

ALERT!!!

If you have been having any one of these side effects, then AcipHex may be causing nerve damage.

-- tingling or numb hands or feet
-- confusion / "fuzzy head"
-- ringing in the ears
-- vision changes
-- anxiety
-- depression
-- apathy
-- fatigue

It may be serious. In my case it certainly is. I can barely use my hands. Why it happens:

AcipHex cuts down on stomach acid. Sometimes it cuts down too MUCH acid. In that case, you are unable to break down animal products enough to absorb vitamin B12 from it. Without vitamin B12, your nerve sheathing erodes. My advice would be to stop AcipHex and get a good vitamin B12 supplement (sublingual -- the type that dissolves underneath your tongue, and at least 1000 mcg). I would also advise to get the book -- Could It Be B12? By RN Sally Pacholock. Before starting supplements, insist on a urinary MMA test. It is the only B-12 test that does not give false positives or negatives often.

This book has literally saved my life.

I was on Aciphex for 10 days (Samples only) i developed bowel problems but the Dr thought it was side effects fo antibiotics. Was off the med for 1 week and everything went back to normal. I am currently back on this for severe acid problems (Barretts) and the symptoms of yellow mucus and loos bowels are back. Headache, cramps. etc. After reading some of the comments i am not sure that this is right for me either. Only thing is that i am afraid to take any of the medicines and with out it this could become cancer. Any suggestions?

I took aciphex for 16 months, ran out of prescription Thursday, and haven't felt this good for long time. I thought my weight gain and constant headache was
due to getting older. I had such a energy burst today that makes me believe it was Aciphex that made me the couch potato day and night. tiredness was brutal and when I was at NY last week I could not go up to stairs at Subway without having to stop and get my breathing in order not to mention being able to hear your own heart beat is little scary. Also I had severe leg pains on both sides-kind of rotating cramps and pinching, especially on my hamstrings.

Hello I am 30 years old and have gerds, I was put on Aciphex 20mg and the first week i felt a lot better, But after the first week I have been having to urinate ALOT! I have had horrible tightness of the chest, I felt like I was having a heart attack the other night! Very scary, I have since quit Aciphex and started today on pantoprazole 40mg! I hope this pill is a miracle! If this pill doesn't work I am just going to work out and eat light.
I would advise anyone thinking of going on Aciphex to be careful the anxiety attacks and hard time breathing is very scary.
If anyone knows about Pantoprazole let me know asap!

Hi. I was just told I had low Vitamin D. I have been doing some research on what might cause this and what issues low Vitamin D could cause. I am finding that all acid inhibitors can cause this condition. Many of the side effect all of you have listed along with many others have been reported with use of these type drugs. Some research also shows that softing of the bones or brittle bones can be a side effect after long term use. This is where the Vitamin D comes in. The acid inhibitors keep your stomach from breaking down Vit. D which is distributed in your body as a hormone. Vit. D or lack there of can cause so many deceases that are life threating that it is unreal. I am not an expert by no means, but now when I go back to my doctor for the follow up for the low Vit. D I fill much more informed by doing my homework. I have took Nexium for about 3 years and then Aciphex for about 3 years; so a total of 6 years on the acid inhibitors. During this time I have been diagnosed with clinical depression, degenerative bone decease, and now Low Vit. D. I have had the dry mouth, cold feet, leg cramps, unexplained abdominal pain, cannot control my hunger, anxiety, lumps in my throat, skin rash that comes and goes and is untreatable, heart palpitations, trouble sleeping, pain in my kidneys.....OH how I could go on. In the official PDF file on the side effects of Aciphex there are no studies past one year to substantiate any claims of long term side effects. I have heard in the past 18 months little stories on the TV news about how Nexium can cause bone fractures but it is not played up very big. I have gone to the doctor more then the average person and I have felt as if I am a HUGE hypocondriac. Yesterday was the first time I have been able to breath and I actual stated to my husband that I feel as if suddenly the hypocondriac weight I have been bearing has somewhat been lifted off my shoulders.

PLEASE if you have took any of these types medications and you have these symptoms insist that you have your Vitamin D levels check before it is too late. Continue to persue this avenue even if your doctor is reluctant. AND write the FDA about your experiences. STAND UP FOR YOUR HEALTH!

I had to stop taking AciPhex because of side effects such as sleeplessness and heartburn. Sleeplessness normally causes heartburn too. So that would only make matters worse. Every afternoon I would get heartburn. Duh.
I think FDA have put their IQ on mortgage to approve medications such as this.

I have been on Aciphex for a couple of months and it seems to be helping but I am losing hair like crazy. Anyone else having the same problem?

Hi, I am 25. I have taken omeprazole 20mg. for 4 months for my GERD, and after the fourth month, I started having these abnormal heartbeats. I am really worried if these are side effects of omeprazole, and if this medicine may cause permanent damage to the heart. So I decided to see my PCP and requested a change in medication, so he prescribed me 6 month-refills of Aciphex 20mg. It’s my second week now, and I feel this weird itchy feeling inside my chest. I feel like I am always tired, and breathe hard than usual. Id this a side effect of Aciphex? Should I stop taking Aciphex? And does achiphex damages the heart muscle, or cause CAD?

Your statement is 100 percent true . Dry mouth like you could not imagine , high blood pressure , swelling of the face and anxiety like crazy . Thank You for the info , I don't know why my doctor never mentioned any of these side effects . I thought it was rare that they were wanting to do blood work on me AGAIN after just recently having one . I'm done . I will modify my diet and continue working out at the gym .

My doctor started me on Aciphex because I coughed quite often. It was thought Iwas having acid reflux. I took it for ten days and had gas a lot. Then yesterday I had a large bloody (probably 2-3 oz of blood) stool. I had 3 bloody stools altogether, then this morning just tarry stool, but no blood. My doctor said to switch to Prilosec

Wow, I can't believe how common my side effects are now that I've read these posts. Ironically, the drug "claims" to have very seldom side effects, but I feel like I've finally figured out what has been driving me crazy: Aciphex! I'm a 26 yr old female, teacher (medium stress, but now on summer vacation!), healthy - teach health and p.e., don't smoke, do drink and eat spicy foods occasionally. I'm not on any other meds.
I think I've been on aciphex for about 3-4 years now, and have taken it continuously. I was told to take it this way by my GI, even though I've read on the label recently that the med should improve your symptoms within two months. What are the long term effects I wonder? It's been around since the 70's, but that doesn't explain how it's affected me and others. Last night I took my first dose from a new refill around 5pm (usually take it in the am) and woke up with severe panic/anxiety around 12:30. I was thinking random thoughts that made me feel like I was gonna die! My heart rate increased, I felt itchy all over, my mouth was SUPER dry, and I had terrible insomnia (watched two movies, didn't sleep until 4 am). I also had a ringing in my ear/fuzzy sound like the drug was too strong. It was whack... This was the worst experience I've had from taking it and I KNOW it had to be the aciphex. The weird thing is, I've been taking it for all these years, but have only really suffered from anxiety about 5 times off hand (never pleasant). I used to think it was my birth control pill, but since I've been off it, I still experienced the anxiety/nervousness, so I'm attributing it to the aciphex.
I'm going to make changes to my diet and try acidopholus and other natural remedies to see how I feel. If I don't get these attacks anymore, I'll know why. I hope this is what it was so I know I'm not just losing it!! :) It's not worth my mental health, that's for sure.

Hi,

I have used Aciphex for two days and have terrible side effects such as: tightness in the chest, irregular heart beats, anxiety, blurry left vision, difficulty in concentration at certain times and rapid heart beats. I am definitely planning to stop using this pill. This is getting so frustrating.

I HAVE HEADACHE, CHILLS ,STOMIC CRAMPS ,THE RUNS,

I took Aciphex for 1 day and at bedtime I had a hard time falling asleep as my heart kept "leaping" and I'd literally jolt when this happened through the night. Also, got what seemed like a bad migraine head (I usually don't get many headaches at all) for many hours. I'm not sure to try another pill even for the 2nd day after coming upon this ominous but true website. It did seem to relieve some abdominal pain on my left side I'd been having for weeks. I'll have be wise and pray about it.

I've been taking Aciphex for 5 days. I might have to stop taking this medication because it scared me. This happened when I went to bathroom, I saw red blood on my stool in toilet bowl. I've never made anything like that before. Besides, I feel weak all the time when I'm on the medication. I'll call my doctor tomorrow. Just wanted to share my experience here. Wish everyone have a healthy and happy day.

Have been on Aciphex for about 8 months and have had many side effects. I thought it was the acid reflux causing the side effects but maybe its the Aciphex. I get light headed every once in a while, i get blurry vision, bad gas,tingly cold hands and feet, back pain and chest pain,arm pain, neck pain,irregular heartbeat, and go to the bathroom constantly. also feel very nervous at times. Its very scary because i thought maybe i had a heart problem but got an EKG and everything was normal. There is a book that i found that is guaranteed to naturally get rid of acid reflux or your money back. I am definitely going to purchase this book. You can find it on ***

I took Aciphex for 3 days and stopped. Two days later I awoke with a very scary irregular heartbeat that lasted for 2 hours and accompanied by frequent urination for the two hours. I was petrified. I thought I was dying! Now I am scared to take any more Aciphex. I only have GERD or Dyspepsia infrequently. I will try to find a natural remedy. I also had a headache every time I took the Aciphex. I did not have any bowel changes that I noticed but I was only on it for 3 days. I had none of the other symptoms mentioned.

Took Aciphex for about three months felt weak eye site was funny I don't know why have been off of it for three days feel better got to find something else.

I was having terrible heartburn and would start vomiting this acid stuff from my stomach in my sleep. It was awful...actually coming up my nose as well. My doc gave me prilosec and after about 10 days my face was so swollen I couldn't even open my eyes. Now my doc gave me about 30 days samples of aciphex and I am having severe prickly feelings in my legs and arms. I still don't have a diagnosis for my problem....guess it's GERD or something. This has been six months for me and I am just at a loss what to do. For now I think the prickly feeling is better than choking half to death in my sleep.

I have been on the aciphex for approx. 2 mos. I have had headaches all the time. I have loose BM all morning long. I've had terrible anxiety. My stomach has been cramping and feel the need to vommit all day. No appitite either. I'm going to stop the med and see if I feel better.

Hi!
I had an Ulcer last December & was told to take Prilosec. After several weeks, I developed extreme leg cramps or soreness from my kness down. I thought maybe I had a blood clot or something. I stopped taking prilosec & started taking randitane ( same as Zantac 150) Ulcer went away......

well, I have been told I have acid reflux -I knew I always had it but took medication as needed, instead of daily. My EN&T Dr. put me on Aciphex. Sure enough, about 2-3 weeks after taking it daily( meaning up to a few days ago) I once again developed those awful leg cramps....I called my pharmacist to see if it was similiar to Prilosec & he said yes!!! - I stopped taking Aciphex about 3 days ago. Legs are still crampy - but not as bad - I have to find another solution - the GERD is pretty bad - but I can't handle the leg cramps to - it has definately caused some anxiety being so sensitive to these medications.

Anyone have any other suggestions? The pharmicist mentioned prevacid. I am just so tired of these aches & pains & complaining everyday ( sorry to take it out on you!!)

By the way - I always have frequent chest pains and a sore throat - I have had everything there checked out - I couldn't believe what I am feeling is GERD.

I've been taking Aciphex for about 3 eyars. The last few months, I've noticed that I'm okay if I take it every 2-3 days. But my eyesight was faltering something awful. Everything looks too blurry and since I'm an artist, this is not good. I was about to make an appointment with my ophthalmologist when visitors told us about taking Aciphex and getting blurry vision! That was the end of my Achiphex! I'd rather have a burning stomach and see well. I don't have GERD, I just have burning in my stomach and an intolerance for acid foods. I read somewehre that eating a slice of apple will help that.

I too have been taking Aciphex for acid reflux for about three weeks and although it seems to have helped with the burning and nausea, I have just recently (four days ago) been experiencing a slew of symptoms. They include headache, blurred vision in my left eye, facial numbness, both forearms numbness, leg (knee down) numbness, and tingling sensation in head. I went to the ER yesterday due to the left arm and left side facial numbness. They ruled out heart attack, blod clot, stroke, bleeding in brain, and brain tumor via a CT scan and a host of other neurological examinations. Doctors have suggested an MRI to rule out something else neurological (MS, neurofibromatosis, etc.) that a CT scan might not pick up. Also, will do a neck MRI to rule out a bulging disc or pinched nerve. I am hoping that it is just the Aciphex.

I have had GERD for 3 years, and I took Nexium to treat it for the first 2 years... worked great, could eat whatever I wanted (I love spicy food!) with no side effects. My insurance stopped covering Nexium, so I began to take Aciphex as both my mother and grandmother have taken it for years (GERD runs in our family). In the last week, I have had a sensation like a huge lump in my throat, and the feeling that I could not take a deep enough breath. Since I have dealt with anxiety in the past, I thought it must be that... however, I noticed that I was burping much more than usual and when I wasn't burping, I felt like I needed to but couldn't. I have felt miserable, and thought something was really wrong with me. Tonight, I found this site and another of people complaining of the experience I am having. I am not taking Aciphex for the rest of the week and will see how I feel. I hope that the way I feel is due to the side effects of this medicine! I will pay out of pocket for Nexium, b/c the way I feel no is unacceptable. My mom and grandmother have never had these problems, however, medicine affects all people differently... I just don't think Aciphex and I go together.

I started on the Acphex a couple of weeks ago and have experienced itching or prickling sensation all over my body especially my scalp and legs, on the legs I have a rash that started on the calves and is now working its way up to my thighs and buttocks the rash started out as red bumps but it dry's up and starts flaking off it looks horrible and is getting worse by the day. I am going to stop taking it to see if the symptoms clear up. Also some constipation and my athsma symptoms seem worse.

Been on Aciphex about 3 months I have daily tingling feeling throughout my spine.

I have only been on Aciphex for 1 day, and I have tingling/burning in my arms and hands! My stomach feels great, I can actually eat without curling up into a ball on the floor in pain, but I don't like this tinging, almost funny bone, feeling.

My husband also experienced irregular heartbeats and it seemed to be connected to eating. He has stopped taking the medication.

Maybe I`m off the wall on this one, but curious if anyone else experienced this problem. I had acid reflux, etc for a long time. Doc gave me Aciphex. My heartburn went away after a week but I started getting irregular heartbeats when I eat. At first if felt like a small clump at the bottom of my esophagus and then I started having these heart palpitations, sometimes I get lightheaded. I quit taking Aciphex because I didn`t have this problem before. Even after I quit taking it, I still have this problem after 12 months. I didn`t go back to the doctor because I pay the bill out of pocket, no insurance, and after $3000, I`m supposedly a healthy guy. By the way, I`m going back to a different doctor evenutually.

About three or four weeks into the aciphex, i started getting strange tingly almost numbness sensations in my arms, elbows, face, around the mouth/jaw, back of the head/scalp, sometimes it feels very "whole body"ish. It feels like i'm being pricked with something with electrical current and getting a shock. It's very strange and quite worrisome! Searching the net it sounds like this is a possible side effect of the aciphex. I hope that's all it is, but I will ask my doctor if there are any other possible causes we should rule out. At this point if it turns out to be a side effect and it doesn't go away (it's been 4 days now), I'm not sure if i'd decide to stay on the aciphex or try something different. It helps the reflux but doesn't solve it.

I've been on this medicine for about six months. The muscle pain in my legs and feet is terrible. I am now getting tingling and needle pain all up and down my legs. It is very hard to get any sleep at night. The leg pain gets worse when I lay down to rest. My reflux is better but the pain I am going through is not worth it. I stopped for two weeks and felt better except the acid reflux came back a little. The Doctor said that I should continue, even with the problems I am having with this medicine. I decided to check this out for myself. It is good to hear that I'm not the only one having these problems. I have had the BM problems also.

About 2 years ago, I stopped Aciphex because I was getting muscle pains and ocasional pins and needles. I went Pepcid AC. About 6 months ago I decided to give Aciphex another try, feeling that maybe it wasn't causing those symptoms. Now, I've started getting ocasional pins and needles again, only worse than last time--so now I'm back on Pepcid. I hope the pins and needles go away.

tingling and prickly feeling - have been taking it for years..this is new development.. have had neuorological tests..negative.
Any input?

Hi - I have been taking Aciphex for just over a week and have noticed that I have muscle aches in my arms and legs with ocassional pins and needles and that my face tingles. I was begining to think I had some other major illness but it just sounds like the medicine. Do many of you have the same?

I also experience cold sensation and tingling in my hands and feet

severe leg pain and abdominal pain, severe bloating with fluid retention. Still have heartburn

I had headaches with prilosec and nexium so I switched to aciphex which is great for my headaches but I still get frequent heartburn which I guess could be a result of my esoph. ulcer which is not yet healed. I have chapped lips, sometimes anal pruritis, pins and needles in my legs and I was having very large b.m.s in the beginning but now am contstipated.

Has anyone had problems with severe muscle cramping. I have been waking up through the night with severe cramps or spasms in my legs and feet. It goes from the calves of my legs to my toes, my feet curl and I can hardly put my foot down. It is very painful. I'm not sure if this is realted to Aciphex or not.

Dark, tarry frequent stools which is of great concern. I will contact my doctor immediately about this. Only been taking it for 2 days! Started with prevacid for 2 months which caused diarrhea. acifex was offered to me as a substitute that has "fewer side effects".

I've been taking Aciphex for a couple of years now. It has taken care of my heartburn very well. However, for some time now I've experienced difficulty breathing when I lie down along with a cold tingling sensation in my feet that at times is almost unbearable. My Doctor can't tell me why. A friend mentioned that she has just received a prescription for aciphex and read that these are some of the soide effects. Can anyone expound on this?

Anybody notice a change in stool color? I have been having lighter, yellow colored stools since taking this drug.

i took ONE pill, that night i started getting severe stomach pains, then the next day my lymph node was extremely swollen an dmy throat hurt i was also getting chills all day! then i started getting a fever and it keeps breaking and coming back im assuming that im a rare case of an extreme allergic reaction but ive also never been allergic to anything before!!! i didnt even think that it could have caused it but then i read the pamphlet and the side effects in clinical studies and there are even worse symptoms that could occur! be careful

I am experiencing a lot of mucous in my throat, and kind of a gagging feeling. It's like I swallowed a dessicant.

I have been taking Aciphex for about 3 days and I have sereve pains in my stomach, like a empty feeling, i feel like i need to eat something and i also have pain in my back, where i think my kidneys are. I also been having lots of gas. Not normal for me.

My Dr. tells me I can stay on the Aciphex indefinetly, but data suggest this should be taken short term only. What's the scoop ? I have abd. pain a lot., but reflux better.

has anyone experienced hot,swollen lips and gums from acid reflu? I don't know if I'm having a reaction or if it's a build up of the acid refux. I have been on 3 other medicines and have had this with all of them. The doctor doesn't seem to be concerned and I'm miserable.

Hi! Have taken aciphex twice daily for almost a year now. I have to say I never felt better. I was really suffering with such symptoms.
The only side effect I have is dry mouth and I sometimes have large bowel movements every day or so. But this is a small price to pay for the relief I now have. I am so thankful for aciphex. I tried protonix and it did nothing for me. My husband takes protonix and it has been like a miracle for him.

Yep - that's me - the poops are ihere and not leaving - the stoamch pain is super intense - I am so glad everyone shared - I thought I was going crazy or dying of some crazy sickness not yet discovered. I am stopping and hope I find the relief you all have!!! I too will research more options - Tums for now..........

Feeling great since taking this med the only thing is at night I get dry mouth really bad.