Carafate

Sucralfate is used to treat and prevent duodenal ulcers. This medicine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Take sucralfate on an empty stomach, 2 hours after or 1 hour before meals. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

This medicine must be taken regularly to be effective. It may take up to 8 weeks for ulcers to heal.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.

Drowsiness; convulsions (seizures)
Difficulty breathing
Drowsiness or dizziness
Skin rash
Swelling of the face and lips
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.

If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Ciprofloxacin or
Digoxin or
Norfloxacin or
Ofloxacin or
Phenytoin or
Theophylline—Sucralfate may prevent these medicines from working properly.

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of sucralfate. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Antacids may be taken with sucralfate to help relieve any stomach pain, unless your doctor has told you not to use them. Taking these medicines too close together may keep sucralfate from working properly. Consult your doctor on how to use the same.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Sucralfate works by forming a "barrier'' or "coating'' over the ulcer. This protects the ulcer from the acid of the stomach, allowing it to heal. Sucralfate contains an aluminum salt.

Sucralfate is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions: Gastric ulcers. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (a condition in which stomach acid washes back into the esophagus). Stomach or intestinal ulcers resulting from stress or trauma damage or from damage caused by medication used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed.

IF YOUR SYMPTOMS DO NOT IMPROVE or if they become worse, check with your doctor. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist.