Sucralfate is a unique oral drug. Chemically it is a complex of the disaccharide sugar sucrose combined with sulfate and aluminum. It is minimally absorbed into the body and its actions are entirely on the lining of the stomach and duodenum. Although its mechanism is not entirely understood the following actions are thought to be important for its beneficial effects:

sucralfate binds to the surface of ulcers attaching to exposed proteins and coats the ulcer thus protecting the ulcer surface to some extent from further injury by acid and pepsin
sucralfate directly inhibits pepsin an enzyme that breaks apart proteins in the presence of stomach acid
sucralfate binds bile salts coming from the liver via the bile thus protecting the stomach lining from injury caused by the bile acids
sucralfate may increase prostaglandin production and prostaglandins are known to protect the lining of the stomach. Sucralfate was approved by the FDA in 1981.

Sucralfate generally is given four times daily for treating ulcerations and twice daily for preventing ulcers. It is recommended that it be taken on an empty stomach at least one hour prior to meals for best coating of the ulcers.

Sucralfate is well tolerated. Constipation is the most frequent side effect and occurs in 1 of every 50 patients who take sucralfate.

Sucralfate reduces the absorption of many drugs when taken at the same time as the other drugs. These drugs include: cimetidine Tagamet digoxin Lanoxin ketoconazole Nizoral levothyroxine Synthroid phenytoin Dilantin quinidine Quinidex Quinaglute ranitidine Zantac tetracycline theophylline Theo-Dur Uniphyl others and all of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics including ciprofloxacin Cipro norfloxacin Noroxin ofloxacin Floxin and lomefloxacin Maxaquin. All of these medications should be taken at least two hours prior to the sucralfate. It is possible if not likely that many other drugs will interact similarly with sucralfate. Therefore it probably is prudent to take all medications at least 2 hours prior to sucralfate.

Sucralfate is used for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease and to prevent recurrent ulcers after healing of the ulcer has been achieved. It also has been used to relieve or prevent the ulcers caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs but is less effective than misoprostol Cytotec. Sucralfate also is used in the treatment of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD who are prone to get ulcers in the esophagus and to prevent ulcers associated with high degrees of physical stress e.g. extensive burns surgery and overwhelming infection. among hospitalized patients.

Sucralfate is also used to protect the stomach lining when taking aspirin and for mouth sores that occur with cancer chemotherapy. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition. What special precautions should I follow

Tablets and suspension should be kept at room temperature between 15° and 30°C 59-86°F. The suspension should not be frozen and should be shaken prior to each use.

IT MAY TAKE 4 TO 8 WEEKS for complete healing of your ulcer. Continue taking this medicine for the full course of treatment even if you feel better. 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.