
Precautions
Carafate (sucralfate) is an anti-ulcer medication used to treat and prevent peptic ulcers, including those caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Common side effects of Carafate include constipation, headache, dizziness, insomnia, diarrhea, nausea, spinning sensation (vertigo), indigestion, dry mouth, dizziness, vomiting ...
What are the side effects of Carafate?
Carafate is an anti-ulcer medication. Carafate is not greatly absorbed into the body through the digestive tract. It works mainly in the lining of the stomach by sticking to ulcer sites and protecting them from acids, enzymes, and bile salts.
Is Carafate a narcotic medication?
These medications may interact and cause very harmful effects. Consult your healthcare professional (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) for more in formation. These medications may cause some risk when taken together. Consult your healthcare professional (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) for more in formation. Save up to 80% on your prescriptions.
Does caffeine interact with Carafate?
Over-the-counter. 1 of 7 alternatives. Heals ulcers in the intestines. Carafate (sucralfate) has few side-effects, but is more expensive than other medicines used to treat ulcers. Relieves heartburn. Tums (Calcium carbonate) gives quick relief for heartburn, but does not last all day. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other medicines if ...
Is there an over the counter alternative to Carafate?

What does Carafate do for your stomach?
Sucralfate is used short-term (up to 8 weeks) to treat an active duodenal ulcer. Sucralfate works mainly in the lining of the stomach and is not highly absorbed into the body. This medicine adheres to ulcer sites and protects them from acids, enzymes, and bile salts.
What all does Carafate treat?
What Conditions does CARAFATE Treat?reflux esophagitis, or inflammation of the esophagus from backflow of stomach acid.gastroesophageal reflux disease.a stomach ulcer.medication treatment for healing stomach ulcer.an ulcer of the duodenum.medication treatment for healing ulcer of the duodenum.stress ulcer prevention.More items...
Is Carafate good for gastritis?
Sucralfate is the primary agent for prophylaxis of stress gastritis. It has long been used as a means of decreasing the incidence of gastritis. This drug is readily available, easy to administer, and inexpensive.
How long does it take for Carafate to work?
Just know that sucralfate (Carafate) is protecting your GI tract so that it can heal the ulcer, but it may take up to 4 to 8 weeks before you receive the full benefit of taking sucralfate (Carafate).
Is Carafate used for acid reflux?
Carafate (sucralfate) and omeprazole are used to treat ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Does Carafate heal the esophagus?
It is concluded that treatment with sucralfate improves the symptomatology and severity of reflux esophagitis. The results obtained with sucralfate appear comparable to those with cimetidine. Sucralfate may therefore be considered as a valid alternative to H2-receptor antagonist therapy in treating reflux esophagitis.
What are the symptoms of a damaged stomach lining?
If the stomach lining has been worn away (erosive gastritis) and exposed to stomach acid, symptoms may include pain, bleeding or a stomach ulcer. The symptoms of gastritis may come on suddenly and severely (acute gastritis) or last a long time (chronic gastritis).
Is Carafate better than omeprazole?
Omeprazole was significantly superior to sucralfate in inducing gastric ulcer healing after both 4 (87 vs. 52%, P = 0.007) and 8 weeks (100 vs. 82%, P = 0.04). No statistically significant difference in duodenal ulcer healing rates emerged between the two groups either at 4 (79 vs.
Is Carafate like Pepto Bismol?
Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) Carafate (sucralfate) has few side-effects, but is more expensive than other medicines used to treat ulcers. Relieves heartburn, upset stomach, and diarrhea.
How long does Carafate coat the stomach?
The sucralfate-albumin film provides a barrier to diffusion of hydrogen ions. In human subjects, Sucralfate given in doses recommended for ulcer therapy inhibits pepsin activity in gastric juice by 32%. One dose lasts approximately 6 hours. It may take up to eight weeks before an ulcer is fully healed.
Does Carafate make you sleepy?
dizziness, drowsiness; sleep problems (insomnia);
Is sucralfate good for acid reflux?
Sucralfate is effective for the treatment of human reflux oesophagitis1,2,3,4; however, current first-line treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) which control gastric acid secretion.
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use Carafate if you are allergic to sucralfate.To make sure Carafate is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: 1. diabetes; 2....
How Should I Take Carafate?
Take Carafate exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smalle...
What Happens If I Miss A Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, but avoid taking any other medications within 2 hours before or after you take Carafate. Skip the mis...
What Other Drugs Will Affect Carafate?
Carafate can make it harder for your body to absorb other medications you take by mouth. Avoid taking any other medications within 2 hours before o...
What is the drug sucralfate (Carafate) used for?
Sucralfate (Carafate) is FDA-approved for the treatment and management of duodenal ulcers (ulcers that are located in the first part of the small i...
How long does it take for sucralfate (Carafate) take to work?
The medication will start to work and create a lining as soon as it reaches your GI tract (usually within an hour). Unlike other ulcer medications,...
Can I take omeprazole (Prilosec) and sucralfate (Carafate) together?
Many people with ulcers will also be prescribed other medications to lower the amount of acid in their stomach. Since sucralfate (Carafate) can aff...
When can I stop taking sucralfate (Carafate)?
The length of treatment will depend on your ulcer and how quickly it heals. Your provider will monitor the healing process and make adjustments to...
What happens if I take sucralfate (Carafate) with food?
It's recommended to take sucralfate (Carafate) on an empty stomach so that the medication can work locally at the site of the ulcer. If your stomac...
How does sucralfate work?
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.
Can you stop sucralfate?
Your provider will monitor the healing process and make adjustments to your dose. Don't stop taking sucralfate (Carafate) without consulting with your healthcare provider as it may impact the ulcer healing process.
Can sucralfate be used in elderly?
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.
Does carafate cause seizures?
Low levels of aluminum are not a problem, but higher levels can be. High aluminum levels can cause confusion, muscle weakness, bone pain and related problems, and more seriously, seizures.
Is sucralfate FDA approved?
Sucralfate (Carafate) is FDA-approved for the treatment and management of duodenal ulcers (ulcers that are located in the first part of the small intestine).
What is sucralfate used for?
This medication is used to treat and prevent ulcers in the intestines. Sucralfate forms a coating over ulcers, protecting the area from further injury. This helps ulcers heal more quickly.
How long does sucralfate last?
Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens after you have been taking sucralfate for 4 weeks. Side Effects. Constipation, dry mouth, upset stomach, gas, and nausea may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
How to report sucralfate side effects in Canada?
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345. Precautions. Before taking sucralfate, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
Can elderly people take sucralfate?
This medication contains aluminum, which is normally removed by your kidneys. Therefore, elderly people may be at greater risk for developing high aluminum levels while using this drug with other products that contain aluminum (e.g., antacids). If you are pregnant, tell your doctor before using sucralfate.
Can you take sucralfate while pregnant?
If you are pregnant, tell your doctor before using sucralfate. It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects.
What is the mechanism of action of carafate?
Mechanism of Action. Carafate is a type of medication called protectants. These medications adhere to tissue in the lining of the stomach or small intestine that have been damaged and protect them from digestive acid and enzymes while they heal. Protectants do not get absorbed by the body as other medications do.
How often should I take carafate?
When prescribed for an active stomach ulcer, the pills or liquid dose are usually taken several times a day. In order for the medication to work, you need to take Carafate exactly as your doctor prescribes it for you.
What is sucralfate used for?
Sucralfate, also called Carafate, is a prescription medication used to treat duodenal ulcers, which form in the first part of the small intestine. Duodenal ulcers are a type of peptic ulcer. This type of ulcer forms when the lining of the stomach or small intestine gets worn down by the acids that are produced to aid in digestion.
Is carafate a Category B drug?
Make sure to tell your doctor about any medications you take, even if they are over-the-counter, nutritional, or herbal supplements. Carafate is categorized as a Category B drug. This means that based on available research, the American College of Gastroenterology considers the drug safe to take if you are pregnant.
Does carafate help with ulcers?
Carafate is prescribed to treat active ulcers, but the medication doesn't prevent new ulcers from forming. A doctor may also prescribe additional medications, such as antibiotics, for patients who are at risk of developing additional ulcers.
Can carafate cause constipation?
Carafate can cause minor side effects , though they are rarely serious enough for patients to stop taking the drug. The most common side effect is constipation, which occurs in about 2 percent of patients .
Can you take Carafate with Warfarin?
Make sure you tell your doctor about any medication you take before you start Carafate. If you are taking certain medications, like antacids, antibiotics, or drugs that thin your blood (warfarin), your doctor may tell you to take less or stop taking them while you are taking Carafate.
How many ratings does carafate have?
Carafate has an average rating of 6.7 out of 10 from a total of 56 ratings on Drugs.com. 56% of those users who reviewed Carafate reported a positive effect, while 25% reported a negative effect.
Does dexilant help with Barrett's esophagus?
The Carafate & Dexilant worked well to calm down the esophagitis pain/spasms/inflammation. The Barrett's esophagus was detected using pathology and even though it was a very mild case , it is a serious disease and I will need a EGD performed yearly. The Dexilant has worked wonders also.
