Sucralfate
About Sucralfate
Sucralfate is used to prevent or treat peptic ulcers. A peptic ulcer is a sore on the stomach's lining or the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). An ulcer or sores of the stomach region is called a gastric ulcer, while an ulcer of the duodenum is known as a duodenal ulcer.
Sucralfate contains 'Sucralfate', which works by forming a protective barrier or coat over the ulcer, thus protecting the ulcer from the stomach's acid, allowing it to heal.
Sucralfate may cause common side effects like constipation, dizziness, sleepiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, and diarrhoea. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are known to be allergic to any of the components in Sucralfate, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to consult a doctor before using Sucralfate. Avoid taking any antacids like magnesium hydroxide or aluminium hydroxide within 30 minutes before or after taking Sucralfate.
Uses of Sucralfate
• Peptic Ulcer Treatment: Sucralfate is commonly used to treat and manage peptic ulcers by forming a protective barrier over the ulcer site, promoting healing.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Sucralfate can help alleviate symptoms associated with GERD by protecting the esophagus from stomach acid.
• Prevention of Ulcer Formation: Sucralfate is often prescribed to prevent the formation of ulcers in patients who require long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Stomach and Duodenal Ulcer Management: Sucralfate is utilized in managing both stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers, providing symptomatic relief and promoting healing.
• Mucosal Protection: Sucralfate serves as a mucosal protective agent during therapies that may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, helping to reduce discomfort and damage.
Medicinal Benefits
- Aids in the recovery of duodenal and stomach ulcers.
- Creates a barrier to protect ulcers from acid.
- Lessens ulcer-related pain, burning, and discomfort.
- It helps protect the lining of the stomach from more harm.
- Aids high-risk patients in avoiding ulcer recurrence.
- Helpful in treating stomach irritation caused by acid reflux and gastritis.
Directions for Use
- Sucralfate can be taken with or without food.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Swallow Sucralfate as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Sucralfate
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
Medicines Containing this Salt
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Drug Warnings
- You should avoid taking Sucralfate if you are allergic to any of its components.
- Inform your doctor if you have kidney disease or stomach/intestine problems (delayed gastric emptying).
- Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Sucralfate.
- Caution is required before giving Sucralfate to elderly patients.
- The safety and effectiveness in children are not established; please consult your doctor before giving Sucralfate to children.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Taking Sucralfate with the following medication classes may cause adverse reactions.
- Blood thinners (warfarin)
• Potential effect: May reduce the effectiveness of warfarin. - Thyroid drugs (levothyroxine)
• Potential effect: May reduce the effectiveness of levothyroxine. - Antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, tetracycline)
• Potential effect: May reduce the effectiveness of antibiotic medicines. - Antacid drugs (aluminium hydroxide)
• Potential effect: May reduce the effectiveness of Sucralfate.
Drug-Food Interactions: Drinking alcohol and nicotine (tobacco) with Sucralfate may cause dehydration and elevate the level of stomach acid, thereby decreasing Sucralfate efficacy.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have a history of the following conditions before taking Sucralfate, as it may worsen your condition or cause complications.
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionDrinking alcohol with Sucralfate may cause dehydration and elevate the level of stomach acid, thereby decreasing Sucralfate efficacy.
Pregnancy
cautionSucralfate should not be taken until prescribed. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere is limited data on how Sucralfate affects breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor, before taking Sucralfate. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing them to you.
Driving
cautionSucralfate decreases alertness, affects your vision or makes you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Liver
cautionSucralfate to be taken with caution if you had or have a history of liver disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be necessary for patients with kidney disease. Consult your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Children
consult your doctorThe safety and effectiveness of Sucralfate in children have not been established. Please consult your doctor before giving Sucralfate to children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Healthy eating habits:
- To lessen gastrointestinal distress, eat small, frequent meals.
- Steer clear of meals that are hot, greasy, or acidic, as these might exacerbate ulcers.
- Incorporate bland, high-fibre foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Lifestyle changes:
- Avoid smoking as it slows the healing of ulcers.
- Use stress-reduction methods like yoga or meditation.
- To aid in digestion, stick to regular sleep and food schedules.
Physical activity:
- Try mild to moderate exercises like stretching and walking.
- Avoid doing physically demanding tasks if they exacerbate stomach pain or discomfort.
- To avoid acidity, exercise at least one to two hours after eating.
- Engage in mild exercises like yoga to ease tension and enhance digestion.
Special Advise
- Sucralfate is prescribed for acute or short-term conditions of duodenal ulcer. Do not take Sucralfate for more than eight weeks. If your duodenal ulcer persists, stop taking Sucralfate and contact a doctor.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Stomach ulcers: The stomach makes a strong acid that kills germs and helps you digest food. To protect themselves against this acid, duodenal cells form a mucus barrier. If this barrier is damaged, an ulcer can form. The main causes of this barrier damage are bacterial infection (H. pylori) and medications such as NSAIDs (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen). If you have a duodenal ulcer, you might have symptoms like pain in the stomach or abdomen, indigestion, nausea, feeling full after taking a small amount of food, or bloody or black stools.
FAQs
Sucralfate is used to prevent or treat peptic ulcers or gastrointestinal ulcers.
Sucralfate contains Sucralfate, which works by forming a protective barrier or coat over the ulcer so that digestive enzymes, acid and bile salts cannot further irritate the lining of the stomach and duodenum. This protects the ulcer from the stomach acid, allowing it to heal.
Sucralfate may cause common side effects like constipation, dizziness, sleepiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, and diarrhoea. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Yes, Sucralfate can cause constipation. Eat a proper, well-balanced diet and drink plenty of fluids to avoid it. Prefer food enriched with fibres and salads in your daily diet to cope with constipation.
Do not stop taking Sucralfate without consulting your doctor. The duodenal ulcer tends to be a recurrent disease. If you stop taking Sucralfate, it will not influence the frequency or severity of future ulceration.
Do not take pain killers like aspirin or ibuprofen while you are taking Sucralfate unless your doctor says it is okay. These painkillers increase the secretion of stomach acid and exaggerate gastrointestinal bleeding. Besides this, avoid acid-containing food/drinks, coffee, tea, carbonated drinks and vegetables like lemon, tomato etc.
