SUCRALFATE

Brand & Generic Names

Carafate

Sulcrate

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antiulcer

Uses

• Treatment for duodenal and gastric ulcers.
• Used to relieve side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Take as directed on an empty stomach.

When to take:
1 hour before meals and at bedtime. Allow 2 hours to elapse before taking other prescription medicines.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Covers ulcer site and protects from acid, enzymes and bile salts.

Time lapse before drug works:
Begins in 30 minutes. May require several days to relieve pain.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
None expected.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected.

Common:

Constipation.

Infrequent:

Dizziness, sleepiness, rash, itchy skin, abdominal pain, indigestion, vomiting, nausea, dry mouth, diarrhea.

Rare:

Back pain.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to sucralfate.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.
• If you have gastrointestinal or kidney disease.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
No proven harm to unborn child. Avoid if possible. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
Unknown effects. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Safety not established.

Prolonged use:
Request blood counts if medicine needed longer than 8 weeks.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:
No problems expected.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Antacids*	Take 1/2 hour before or after
	sucralate.
Cimetidine	Possible decreased absorption of
	cimetidine if taken simultaneously.
Ciprofloxacin	Decreased absorption of ciprofloxacin.
	Take 2 hours before sucralfate.
Digoxin	Decreased absorption of digoxin.
	Take 2 hours before sucralfate.
Norfloxacin	Decreased absorption of norfloxacin.
	Take 2 hours before sucralfate.
Ofloxacin	Decreased absorption of ofloxacin.
	Take 2 hours before sucralfate.
Phenytoin	Possible decreased absorption of
	phenytoin if taken simultaneously.
Tetracyclines*	Possible decreased absorption of
	tetracycline if taken
	simultaneously.
Theophylline	Possible decreased absorption of
	theophylline. Take 2 hours before
	sucralfate.
Vitamins A, D, E, K.	Decreased vitamin absorption.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Irritates ulcer. Avoid.
Caffeine.	Irritates ulcer. Avoid.
Cocaine:	May make ulcer worse. Avoid.
Foods:	No problems expected.
Marijuana:	May make ulcer worse. Avoid.
Tobacco:	May make ulcer worse. Avoid.