Generic name: sucralfate [ soo-KRAL-fate ]
Brand name: Carafate
Drug class: Miscellaneous GI agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 28, 2023.

Uses for sucralfate

Sucralfate is used to treat and prevent duodenal ulcers and other conditions as determined by your doctor. It works by forming a barrier or coat over the ulcer. This protects the ulcer from the acid of the stomach, allowing it to heal. Sucralfate contains an aluminum salt.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using sucralfate

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of sucralfate in the pediatric population. Safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of sucralfate in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving this medicine.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Bictegravir
• Digoxin
• Dolutegravir
• Elvitegravir
• Ketoconazole
• Levoketoconazole
• Raltegravir

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Ciprofloxacin
• Delafloxacin
• Fleroxacin
• Gemifloxacin
• Grepafloxacin
• Moxifloxacin
• Norfloxacin
• Ofloxacin
• Sparfloxacin
• Trovafloxacin Mesylate
• Warfarin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Diabetes—Use with caution. May make this condition worse.

• Kidney disease (including patients with chronic kidney failure or those receiving dialysis)—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

• Stomach and bowel disease—Sucralfate may bind with other foods and drugs which may cause blockage of the stomach and bowels.

Proper use of sucralfate

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

Take this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better. Do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.

Take this medicine on an empty stomach.

Shake the oral liquid well before each use. Measure each dose with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

If you are also using an antacid, take it more than one half-hour before or after taking sucralfate oral liquid.

If you are taking cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, digoxin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, or ranitidine, take them 2 hours before you take sucralfate oral liquid.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (suspension):
  • To treat duodenal ulcers:
    • Adults—One gram (g) four times a day, taken on an empty stomach for 4 to 8 weeks.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • To treat duodenal ulcers:
    • Adults—One gram (g) four times a day, taken on an empty stomach for 4 to 8 weeks.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • To prevent duodenal ulcers:
    • Adults—One gram (g) two times a day, taken on an empty stomach.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions while using sucralfate

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may affect your blood sugar levels. Check with your doctor right away if you have increased thirst or increased urination. If you notice a change in the results of your urine or blood sugar tests, or if you have any questions, check with your doctor.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects of sucralfate

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

• Blue lips and fingernails
• blurred vision
• chest pain
• cough
• coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
• difficult, fast, noisy breathing
• difficulty in swallowing
• dry mouth
• feeling of fullness
• flushed, dry skin
• fruit-like breath odor
• hoarseness
• increased hunger
• increased sweating
• increased thirst
• increased urination
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• pale skin
• slow or irregular breathing
• stomach pain
• sweating
• swelling of the face, mouth, lips, or throat
• swelling of the legs and ankles
• tightness in the chest
• troubled breathing
• unexplained weight loss
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Constipation

Rare

• Back ache
• bloated
• constipation
• diarrhea
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• headache
• hives, itching, skin rash
• indigestion
• passing gas
• sensation of spinning
• sleepiness
• stomach cramps
• trouble sleeping

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Carafate

In Canada

• Sulcrate Suspension Plus

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet
• Suspension

Therapeutic Class: Antiulcer, Protectant

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer