Pronunciation: soo-KRAL-fate
Generic Name: Sucralfate
Brand Name: Carafate
Sucralfate Suspension is used for:
Short-term (up to 8 weeks) treatment of certain intestinal ulcers. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Sucralfate Suspension is a gastric protective agent. It works by forming a protective layer on the ulcer to serve as a barrier against acid, bile salts, and enzymes in the stomach.
Do NOT use Sucralfate Suspension if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Sucralfate Suspension
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Sucralfate Suspension:
Some medical conditions may interact with Sucralfate Suspension. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have kidney problems or are on dialysis, or have blockage of the intestines, delayed stomach emptying, or difficulty swallowing
- if you receive tube feedings
- if you have diabetes
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Sucralfate Suspension. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Citrate salts or medicines that contain aluminum (eg, certain antacids), specifically in patients with kidney disease, because side effects from aluminum may occur
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Sucralfate Suspension may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Sucralfate Suspension:
Use Sucralfate Suspension as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Sucralfate Suspension by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
- Shake well before each use.
- Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. If you are unsure of how to measure your dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
- Sucralfate Suspension should only be taken by mouth. Do NOT inject Sucralfate Suspension.
- Do not take an antacid for at least 30 minutes before or after taking Sucralfate Suspension.
- It may take 4 to 8 weeks for complete healing of your ulcer. Continue taking Sucralfate Suspension for the full course of treatment even if you feel better.
- Do not take Sucralfate Suspension at the same time as other medicines. Take Sucralfate Suspension at least 2 hours after other medicines. If you are not sure about the best time to take Sucralfate Suspension, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- If you miss a dose of Sucralfate Suspension, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Sucralfate Suspension.
Important safety information:
- Sucralfate Suspension may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Take Sucralfate Suspension with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
- Sucralfate Suspension has aluminum in it. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has aluminum in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Sucralfate Suspension may raise your blood sugar. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.
- Diabetes patients - Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Use Sucralfate Suspension with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Sucralfate Suspension should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Sucralfate Suspension while you are pregnant. It is not known if Sucralfate Suspension is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you take Sucralfate Suspension, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Sucralfate Suspension:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; dizziness; feeling of a whirling motion.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); symptoms of high blood sugar (eg, confusion; increased thirst, hunger, or urination; severe drowsiness; unusual weakness).
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Sucralfate side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include indigestion, nausea, stomach pain, or vomiting.
Proper storage of Sucralfate Suspension:
Store Sucralfate Suspension at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Sucralfate Suspension out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Sucralfate Suspension, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Sucralfate Suspension is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Sucralfate Suspension. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Sucralfate resources
- Sucralfate Side Effects (in more detail)
- Sucralfate Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Sucralfate Drug Interactions
- Sucralfate Support Group
- 16 Reviews for Sucralfate - Add your own review/rating
Compare Sucralfate with other medications
- Duodenal Ulcer
- Duodenal Ulcer Prophylaxis
- GERD
- Hyperphosphatemia of Renal Failure
- Stomach Ulcer
- Stomatitis
- Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis
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