Sucralfate

Brand names

• Apo-Sucralfate
• Carafate
• Novo-Sucralate
• Nu-Sucralfate
• PMS-Sucralfate
• Sulcrate
• Sulcrate Suspension Plus

Usage

To treat nonmalignant stomach ulcers. To treat and prevent ulcers of the duodenum, the first portion of the small intestine located just after the stomach in the digestive tract.

How it works

Sucralfate coats the surface of an ulcer, protecting the tissue from irritation by stomach acids, digestive enzymes, bile salts, and other substances that are present in the stomach and duodenum.

Side effects

Serious

Drowsiness, seizures.

Common

Constipation.

Less common

Backache, diarrhea, dizziness or lightheadedness, dry mouth, indigestion, nausea, stomach pain or cramps, skin rash, hives, or itching.

Possible interactions

Other medicaments:

Sucralfate may decrease the effects of:

• cimetidine (Tagamet).
• ciprofloxacin (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex) , fleroxacin (Megalone) , gatifloxacin (Tequin), grepafloxacin (Raxar), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam) or other quinolone antibiotics. Give these medicines 4 hours before or 8 hours after sucralfate.
• digoxin (Lanoxin).
• ketoconazole (Nizoral).
• lansoprazole (Prevacid)-separate doses by half an hour.
• levothyroxine (various)-blood levels are prudent.
• phenytoin (Dilantin, etc.).
• quinidine (Quinaglute).
• tetracycline (Achromycin, Tetracyn, etc.).
• warfarin (Coumadin, etc.) and reduce its anticoagulant effect; increased frequency of INR testing (prothrombin time or protime) is needed.

Foods:

Protein-rich foods increase stomach acid secretion. Garlic, onions, citrus fruits and tomatoes may also increase acid secretion. Follow diet prescribed by your physician.

Herbal medicines or minerals:

Kola and ma huang may increase stomach acid, blunting the benefits of this medicine. Black cohosh root, ginkgo and squill are contraindicated in gastrointestinal disturbances. Talk to your doctor before adding any herbals to these medicines.

Beverages:

Caffeine may increase stomach acid. Talk to your doctor about restricting consumption. This medicament is preferably taken with water.

Tobacco smoking:

Nicotine can delay ulcer healing and reduce the effectiveness of this medicament. Avoid all forms of tobacco.

Comments