Pronunciation: soo-KRAL-fate
Generic Name: Sucralfate
Brand Name: Carafate
Carafate is used for:
Short-term (up to 8 weeks) treatment of certain intestinal ulcers. It is also used in patients that have had certain intestinal ulcers to prevent further development of more ulcers. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Carafate 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 Carafate if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Carafate
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Carafate:
Some medical conditions may interact with Carafate. 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 you have blockage of the intestines or difficulty swallowing
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Carafate. 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 buildup may occur
- Penicillamine or thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Carafate.
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Carafate 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 Carafate:
Use Carafate as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Carafate by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
- Do not take an antacid for at least 30 minutes before or after taking Carafate.
- It may take 4 to 8 weeks for complete healing of your ulcer to occur. Continue to take Carafate even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
- Do not take Carafate at the same time as other medicines. Take Carafate at least 2 hours after other medicines. If you are not sure about the best time to take Carafate, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- If you miss a dose of Carafate, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and 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 Carafate.
Important safety information:
- Carafate may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Take Carafate 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.
- Carafate 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.
- Use Carafate with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Carafate 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 Carafate while you are pregnant. It is not known if Carafate is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you take Carafate, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Carafate:
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; lightheadedness.
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).
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: Carafate 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 Carafate:
Store Carafate 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 Carafate out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Carafate, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Carafate 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 Carafate. 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 Carafate resources
- Carafate Side Effects (in more detail)
- Carafate Dosage
- Carafate Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Carafate Drug Interactions
- Carafate Support Group
- 11 Reviews for Carafate - Add your own review/rating
- Carafate Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Carafate Consumer Overview
- Carafate Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Carafate Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Sucralfate Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Sucralfate Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare Carafate with other medications
- Duodenal Ulcer
- Duodenal Ulcer Prophylaxis
- GERD
- Hyperphosphatemia of Renal Failure
- Stomach Ulcer
- Stomatitis
- Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis
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