Carafate (Sucralfate)

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Sucralfate (Carafate) attaches to damaged tissue and protects against acid so healing can occur. It is normally taken for 1-2 months to treat ulcers in the duodenum (portion of the small intestine), gastritis, and abdominal pain.

How should it be used?

  • This medication is available in both liquid and tablet forms.
  • Take on an empty stomach. Wait 1 hour to eat or 2 hours if you have already eaten.
  • Take every 8 hours unless your doctor tells you to take it sooner.
  • Avoid taking any other medicines for 2 hours before or after you take Carafate.
  • Antacids can be taken 30 minutes after you take the Carafate.
  • Take all of the medicine – even if you feel better before you finish all the medicine.

If your insurance refuses to pay for the liquid form, you can crush the pill. Put the crushed pill in 2 teaspoons of water, and then add crushed ice to make a slushy mixture and then take it this way.

Special Precautions

Carafate may affect the way other medicines work in your body.

Before you start taking this medicine tell your doctor about any of the following:

    • Medicines (including over-the-counter) you are taking.
    • Have any problem taking Carafate or any other ingredient in this medicine:

-tablets: sucralfate, D & C Red #30 Lake, FD&C Blue #1 Lake, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and starch

-liquid: sucralfate, colloidal silicon dioxide NF, FD&C Red #40, flavor, glycerin USP, methyulcellulose USP, methylparaben NF, microcrystalline cellulose NF, purified water USP, simethicon USP, and sorbitol solution USP

  • Have liver or kidney problems.
  • Are pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Patients should not smoke cigarettes.

Side Effects

The drug may cause side effects such as: constipation, headache, nausea, vomiting.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience signs of an allergic reaction including:

  • Diarrhea
  • Feeling sick
  • Fever, shivering/chills, rash
  • Muscle and bone pain
  • Kidney problems (changes in the amount of urine or color of urine)
  • Tiredness, dizziness
  • Itching
  • Swelling
  • Trouble breathing

Additional side effects may be found on the drug’s website, which is listed below.

Storage Conditions

This medication should be stored at a controlled room temperature (68-77 degrees F). Keep out of reach of children and protect from light. Protect from moisture and extreme heat. Shake the liquid before using.

Emergency/Overdose

Call the national poison control center 1-800-222-1222 or 911 in the event of overdose. Symptoms of an overdose include vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection.

Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of Carafate in pediatric patients has not been established.

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