Carafate Suspension (Sucralfate) 

The recommended dose of CARAFATE for treating active ulcers is 1 gram, four times a day for four to eight weeks. The recommended dose for preventing ulcers from recurring is 1 gram, twice a day.

This drug is given on an empty stomach, at least one hour before a meal.

Common Side Effects of CARAFATE

Side effects of CARAFATE are typically mild and may include:

•Constipation

•Headache

•Dizziness

•Insomnia

•Diarrhea

•Upset stomach

•Vomiting

•Flatulence

•Nausea

•Back pain

•Dizziness or drowsiness

•Mild itching or skin rash

•Elevated blood sugar in people with diabetes

Serious Side Effects of CARAFATE

Serious side effects of CARAFATE are rare. You should get emergency medical help if you experience any signs of an allergic reaction while taking CARAFATE. These may include hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, tongue, lips, or throat.

You should tell your doctor or pharmacist before taking CARAFATE if you have a medical history of kidney problems, swallowing problems, stomach/intestine problems, tube feeding, or use of a breathing tube.

The medication contains aluminum, which is normally removed by the kidneys. Elderly patients may be at a higher risk for developing high aluminum levels while taking CARAFATE because kidney function declines as you age.

Although some data suggests concern about the effects of aluminum during pregnancy might be warranted, human studies have shown no negative effects on the fetus. CARAFATE is generally considered safe during pregnancy. Although there are no data, the medicine is also considered safe for use by breast-feeding mothers.

CARAFATE can bind to drugs in the stomach and reduce their absorption, so some medicines should be taken at least two hours prior to CARAFATE. CARAFATE may reduce the absorption of:

•Cimetidine (Tagamet)

•Digoxin (Lanoxin)

•Ketoconazole (Nizoral)

•Levothyroxine (Synthroid)

•Phenytoin (Dilantin)

•Quinidine (Quinidex, Quinaglute)

•Ranitidine (Zantac)

•Tetracycline

•Theophylline (Theo-Dur, Uniphyl, others)

•Fluoroquinolone antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin (Cipro), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin) and lomefloxacin (Maxaquin)

•Warfarin (Coumadin)

•Other medications to lower stomach acid such as omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), lansoprazole (Prevacid), and dexlansoprazole (Dexilant)

It is possible that many other drugs will interact with CARAFATE, so you should tell your doctor about all prescription, non-prescription, illegal, recreational, herbal, nutritional, or dietary drugs or supplements you are taking.