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zegerid side effects

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Posted 11/22/2008 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

I've taken 40mg of Zegerid and while it helped my heartburn well, I experienced an uncomfortable feeling/pain in my chest. It felt like a squeezing sensation and a bit labored to breath. I also developed a cough. I thought it was in my head so went off and tried again a few weeks later only to have the same results. The other PPI's did not do this to me.
Posted 11/22/2008 3:03 AM (GMT 0)

law and Cordelia

Thank you for answering this post. It is apreciated.

Have a great weekend.
Kitt

Posted 12/18/2008 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
I have just started taking zegerid. I had been on aciphex for year. I was have bad chest pain,

hurting all over, like i had the fluid are something.

Since taking the zegerid for a week I have very

little chest pain. I hope it keeps working.

Posted 2/10/2009 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
Does anyone know if you can take other over the counter medicines, such as pepto or gaviscon, while taking zegerid? 
Posted 2/28/2009 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
I have been using Zegerid for over a year now. I did notice at first feelings similar to hunger pains. I do not have that any more. It works really well for me. My only concern is when I do not use it the indigestion is worse than it ever was before. I feel like my body depends on it now.
Posted 3/11/2009 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
I have been taking Zegerid off and on for several months but decided about a week ago that I really need to get back on it on a daily basis. Since then I have experienced a feeling that I can only describe as that of wet sand paper on my tongue. I asked my pharmacist if this could be a side effect of Zegerid and was told that it is so rare he would not even mention it when filling a prescriptionn but does occur. Has anyone else had this problem and does it go away or must I change meds.
Posted 6/11/2009 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
I just wanted to comment on the zegerid topic. I was diagnosed with severe acid reflux in 04. I had taken gavescon and prolosec when it was a perscription. Ive been pretty much clear of my stomach problems till the last 2 months. My doctor just put me on the 40mg of the zegerid and I am too having really shortness of breath and it hurts in the center of my chest when I breath in deeply. Also has made me really tired. Anyone else experiences that sort of side effect when just starting? Just let me know!
Posted 6/13/2009 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi therockgurl,
Sorry to hear you're having these problems. Keep in mind that the symptoms of pain in the center of the chest and breathing problems are symptoms of GERD. If you read through many of the posts here, you'll find those symptoms repeated very often. PPIs take some time to work, and then the healing takes even longer.

It's important to be very careful with what you eat--nothing acidic, spicy, or rough (like popcorn). Remember to avoid traditional triggers like caffeine, chocolate, peppermint, alcohol, fried foods--and find which comfort foods you can manage. Eat small meals, and maintain this careful eating for a LONG TIME.

It's hard to wait...you'll be wanting to go back to your normal foods...but it's important to continue to be careful for about 2 weeks after you stomach feels all better--then introduce foods back into your diet one at a time.

I could always tell when I'd moved too soon, because my symptoms would get worse right away.

I suffered severe asthma and breathing problems as a result of GERD, and the symptoms were never completely resolved with PPIs. For that reason, I had the Nissen Fundoplication surgery in February, and am very glad I did. Not only did my GERD symptoms stop, but my asthma has improved markedly. What a difference! My breathing is MUCH better.

Good luck with finding an answer to your problems. I would doubt that the symptoms you're experiencing are caused by the meds, and think it's more likely that they're caused by the GERD itself. Everyone is different, so you should listen to your body and contact your doctor if you continue to have problems.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Denise
Posted 6/16/2009 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
I started on Zegerid for gerd several months ago. Actually it's probably been over 90 days on 40mg in the am. Just reordered another 90 days supply last week. My gerd is apparently from over production of gastric acid according to my gastro MD.

 

about side affects, I have been feeling very tired or exhausted for about 2 weeks now and have been having reoccuring chest palpitations for last 2-3 months. I even had an EKG, stress test & followup echocardiogram mid May! I know I was under a lot of stress but this usually leaves after tax season and my work schedule is less demanding now. My heart is 100% normal according to the tests. I knew it would be as I am an avid road cyclist, 30-50 miles on my bike is normal!

 

Being tired all the time is something new that just started up recently. I am still feeling the chest palpitations too. I have been wondering what's going on! I seem to have no trouble with shortness of breath though, unless I am climbing a hill on my bicycle.....  blush       I am going to give my gastro Doc a call about this soon.  

 

 

 

New member

 

Posted 8/12/2009 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
I took Zegerid once and it landed me in the emergency room. I was prescribed the Zegerid for reflux.
I truly thought I was having a heart attack.
about 2 hours after taking the Zegerid, i decided to eat a light snack, a banana.
I ate the banana and about 30 minutes later my pulse was up to 120 and bp was through the roof.
I could feel my heart pounding in my chest and couldnt take a deep breath without feeling like I was being punched in my sternum.
I was in the ER most of the day and these symptoms lasted for well over 2 hours.
Im guessing its the sodium bicarbonate in the medication that caused this as I can take prilosec daily with no side affects at all.
The next day...I didnt take the Zegerid and was able to eat just fine.
Was a truly scary event.
Posted 10/18/2009 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
I have been taking Zegreid for almost a week and have experienced shortness of breath and chest pains. My biggest concern is that I do not get a full night of sleep. I wake several times a night and when it is time to really get up I have stiffness. Is anyone else experiencing these symptoms?
Posted 10/20/2009 2:05 PM (GMT 0)

Hey there,

I do not use this medication but perhaps another member will have some information for you.  Welcome to HealingWell and the GERD/Heartburn Forum.

Kitt

Posted 10/22/2009 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
I discovered that I became quickly "adjusted" to the PPIs to much so that I had to spend 10+ days getting off of them, with symptoms more severe than when I started. So yes, I think it can happen.

With regards to sleep, I have precisely the same problem on Prilosec - the ability to sleep slowly fades away over time until I'm up half the night. Once off the drug, my sleep patterns return to normal. So yes, you're not alone.
Posted 11/8/2009 10:01 AM (GMT 0)
I also came across this while searching for possible side effects for Zegerid. I am saddened to hear all the issues everyone is having but relieved at the same time because I thought it was only me! I was changed to Zegerid 40mg twice a day in February and I took it faithfully until 10 days ago. After the first 2 months, I began experiencing severe nausea & vomiting (especially after taking the medicine), anorexia, severe sore throat, burning mucosal tissue in mouth & nose, ears stopped up, blurred vision, difficulty swallowing,heart palpitations, chest pain, extreme fatigue, increased indigestion ... list goes on and on. It finally occurred to me after one of my many trips to the bathroom to throw up - hey I wonder if it's the medicine making me sick. It took almost 10 months for this to occur to me that right after I took it I threw up - like clockwork! I tried switching to the over-the-counter brand of Prilosec twice a day - of course it wasn't enough to hold my pain; however, did notice nausea was greatly reduced and no vomiting. I checked with my Pharmacy in hopes that I still had refills of Prevacid (was on before I was switched to Zegerid) available - luckily I did. I have been taking it twice a day for the past 10 days and feeling 100% better! No nausea and vomiting at all! I am absolutely astonished looking back that I was so sick for so long due to a medication for my stomach! I would have never thought a PPI would make you sick! I have lost over 30 lbs in the past 10 months from being on this med. I know medicines react differently to everybody but I have great issues with this one! What is really sad is the fact that my own physician told me that it is very doubtful that Zegerid is making me sick but then again he doesn't really prescribe it that often so he doesn't really know ... As for me think I will stick with Prevacid. Maybe Zegerid is okay for short term use - really all the literature I have read from the drug company is for short term usage. Please just beware if you are on this medicine and experience anything out of the norm and have a serious conversation with your doctor.
Posted 11/8/2009 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome, breatheasy.
I was on a medicine for several days (not a PPI) before I realized I was allergic to it.
Please stick around, we are not professionals here. But we can share our experiences and give our two cents worth.

Joy
Posted 3/5/2011 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
Wow -- I'm glad I found this. I've been on Zegerid for 3 days and last night I thought I was having a heart attack because my chest got heavy and I started having chest and back pains -- I was very close to going to the ER when it subsided after I had something to eat.
Posted Yesterday 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
I am not a doctor or in any kind of career like that. I am a married mom of two who works at the local walmart part time.

I do however take 20 mg of zegerid a day usually around lunch time. I also have had heaviness in my chest on the days that I over eat as far as breads, chocolate and such. The days that I eat more veggies and fruits the heaviness is not there (that I can remember). I have noticed though the last few months of taking the zegerid that trying to take a deep breath is a problem unless i release the first breath and then try again....then I can take the deeper breath. I chalked the breath thing up to being overweight....I am 5'2 at 220 pounds so I thought it was that but after reading on different sites about the side effects of the zegerid I am now wondering!

I have been taking the zegerid of 20 mg for over 5+ years........I use to take the nexium up until 10 years ago when I became pregnant with my son. Apparently they didn't know what side effects the nexium would have on the baby. Soon after that I started taking the zegerid and have done so ever since. It works great for me as long as I stay away from spicy things, spaghetti sauce alot and cut down on the soda.

I can honestly say that I have not tried the prilosec or any of the others except the zantac but that just didn't seem to do anything. I hate the feeling of the heaviness in my chest because I'm so afraid of a heart attack or something happening....I guess I will have to bring this up aty my next doctors appointment.

I hope you all get the meds you need, it is nice to meet you all and I am hoping this site will be what I need. Have a great nite and god bless. :-)

Posted Yesterday 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Can't comment on Zegarid but did take Omeprazole which is the active ingredient and found it
made me dizzy and a little weak at times, felt a little achy on it. PPI's do have side effects and they
are a little different for all of us so you have to listen to your body. Does sound like there is something to this chest heaviness although reflux can mimic heart attack symptoms due to the involvement of the Vagus nerve which runs in the area. Had that experience , no fun, went to emergency twice thinking I
was giving up the ghost. Who could believe reflux could make you feel so awful !!

Nexium , couldn't sleep on, gave me very vivid dreams. Tecta gave me the runs. Taking Dexilant and find that I get itchy if I eat anything with refined sugar so I avoid it, outside of that it seems to work for me.
Posted 6/30/2014 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
OMG! I've found fellow-sufferers! I am having horrible side effects after 5 days on Zegerid 40mg! I had been taking Nexium 2x daily for the past 2 years and have never felt good taking it but trusted my gastro doctor to put me on something BETTER.

I had appt with him last Monday and he put me on Zegerid 40mg and after 5 days on this 'POISON', now feel like I'm at 'death's door'. My reactions are extreme fatigue, very short of breath, excruciating chest pain/pressure & burning, nausea, rashes, and feel SO SICK! (I had these same side effects on Nexium but not quite this bad!).

I can barely function. I truly believe that PPI's are the culprit and have not taken one since Saturday. I still feel VERY SICK. I have a call into the doctor right now and I'm going to tell him to visit these discussion boards if he tries to tell me my problem is NOT the drug!!

I picked up some Gaviscon chewable tablets today but so far, they do NOTHING. Aloe Vera juice also does nothing for me and no pain reliever I can get my hands on does a thing to take the edge off this horrendous chest pain!

I'm so sorry for all of us who are suffering here ... misery loves company so I will contribute if I find any answers, as I trust all of you will, as well. I've posted on this same topic but different discussions... hang in there as I will try to do as well.
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