What is Carafate
SucralfateThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummarySucralfate is a medication used to protect cells in the gastrointestinal tract from damage caused by irritants like stomach acid, bile salts, alcohol, and aspirin. It is used to treat and prevent a range of gastrointestinal diseases such as duodenal ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and stress ulcers. It is generally thought to be a safe drug with few side effects and is available in both tablet and suspension forms. Sucralfate was approved by the FDA in 1982 for tablet form and in 1994 for suspension form.
Carafateis the brand name
Carafate Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Carafate
Sucralfate
1981
89
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Sucralfate, otherwise known as Carafate, is approved by the FDA for 1 uses like Duodenal Ulcer .Duodenal Ulcer
Effectiveness
How Carafate Affects PatientsThis drug helps heal duodenal ulcers by forming a protective barrier between the gastrointestinal tract and the substances that cause inflammation. It also increases the amount of growth factors and prostaglandins in the area, which help to heal the tissue lining the gastrointestinal tract.
How Carafate works in the bodySucralfate is used to help heal duodenal ulcers, but its exact mechanism of action is not yet known. It appears to form a protective barrier over the ulcer, blocking stomach acid and pepsin from damaging the tissue. It also increases levels of healing growth factors and prostaglandins in the area, and it is believed that it might also trap bile salts, which can cause further damage to the ulcer.
When to interrupt dosage
The recommended measure of Carafate is contingent upon the diagnosed condition, for example, Healing, Mucositis and Indigestion. Dosage varies in accordance with the approach of delivery outlined in the table beneath.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Healing
1000.0 mg, 1000.0 mg/mL, , 100.0 mg/mL, 1.8 mg/mL
Suspension - Oral, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Tablet, Oral, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical
Anti-platelet Therapy
1000.0 mg, 1000.0 mg/mL, , 100.0 mg/mL, 1.8 mg/mL
Suspension - Oral, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Tablet, Oral, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical
Mucositis
1000.0 mg, 1000.0 mg/mL, , 100.0 mg/mL, 1.8 mg/mL
Suspension - Oral, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Tablet, Oral, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical
Indigestion
1000.0 mg, 1000.0 mg/mL, , 100.0 mg/mL, 1.8 mg/mL
Suspension - Oral, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Tablet, Oral, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical
Peptic Ulcer
1000.0 mg, 1000.0 mg/mL, , 100.0 mg/mL, 1.8 mg/mL
Suspension - Oral, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Tablet, Oral, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical
Gastritis
1000.0 mg, 1000.0 mg/mL, , 100.0 mg/mL, 1.8 mg/mL
Suspension - Oral, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Tablet, Oral, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical
Curling Ulcer
1000.0 mg, 1000.0 mg/mL, , 100.0 mg/mL, 1.8 mg/mL
Suspension - Oral, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Tablet, Oral, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical
Stress Ulcers
1000.0 mg, 1000.0 mg/mL, , 100.0 mg/mL, 1.8 mg/mL
Suspension - Oral, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Tablet, Oral, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical
Heartburn
1000.0 mg, 1000.0 mg/mL, , 100.0 mg/mL, 1.8 mg/mL
Suspension - Oral, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Tablet, Oral, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical
Duodenal Ulcer
1000.0 mg, 1000.0 mg/mL, , 100.0 mg/mL, 1.8 mg/mL
Suspension - Oral, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Tablet, Oral, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical
Chemotherapy
1000.0 mg, 1000.0 mg/mL, , 100.0 mg/mL, 1.8 mg/mL
Suspension - Oral, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Tablet, Oral, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical
Gastric Ulcer
1000.0 mg, 1000.0 mg/mL, , 100.0 mg/mL, 1.8 mg/mL
Suspension - Oral, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Tablet, Oral, Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical
Warnings
Carafate ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Sucralfate may interact with Toxoplasma Infections
Common Carafate Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Deferasirox
Major
Sucralfate can cause a decrease in the absorption of Deferasirox resulting in a reduced serum concentration and potentially a decrease in efficacy.
Raltegravir
Major
Sucralfate can cause a decrease in the absorption of Raltegravir resulting in a reduced serum concentration and potentially a decrease in efficacy.
Technetium Tc-99m oxidronate
Major
The serum concentration of Technetium Tc-99m oxidronate can be increased when it is combined with Sucralfate.
Abacavir
Minor
Sucralfate may decrease the excretion rate of Abacavir which could result in a higher serum level.
Abafungin
Minor
Sucralfate can cause a decrease in the absorption of Abafungin resulting in a reduced serum concentration and potentially a decrease in efficacy.
Carafate Toxicity & Overdose RiskTaking too much sucralfate is unlikely to cause death, but may lead to constipation. Pregnant women should use this drug only if it is necessary for their health—studies on animals have not shown any harm to fetuses. It is currently unclear if this drug is excreted in breast milk, so caution should be taken when using it while nursing. No signs of cancer have been found in animals given up to 12 times the recommended human dose.
Carafate Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Carafate?
Currently, there are 46 active clinical trials assessing the therapeutic potential of Carafate in managing Heartburn, Indigestion and Anti-platelet Therapy.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Anti-platelet Therapy
0 Actively Recruiting
Heartburn
11 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3, Phase 4, Phase 2, Not Applicable, Early Phase 1
Gastritis
4 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 3
Indigestion
11 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3, Not Applicable, Early Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 1
Chemotherapy
1 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable
Curling Ulcer
0 Actively Recruiting
Stress Ulcers
0 Actively Recruiting
Healing
0 Actively Recruiting
Mucositis
18 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3, Phase 2, Not Applicable, Early Phase 1
Peptic Ulcer
1 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable
Gastric Ulcer
1 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable
Duodenal Ulcer
0 Actively Recruiting
Carafate Reviews: What are patients saying about Carafate?
5Patient Review
11/5/2016 Carafate has been a godsend. I've suffered from reflux for years, to the point where it was difficult to swallow. All medications gave me diarrhea- until Carafate.
5Patient Review
3/26/2019 Carafate has made an incredible difference for me-- I haven't experienced any reflux and I'm able to eat without feeling sick constantly.
5Patient Review
5/31/2019 Sucrafate has been a game changer for me and my stomach problems. It's bland, easy to take without water, and really works fast. I'm so grateful to have found this medication.
5Patient Review
3/21/2015 I unfortunately always feel nauseous after taking this medication, to the point where I have difficulty eating.
5Patient Review
12/3/2015 Carafate is a great medication for those with hiatal hernias and GERD. It's not the most pleasant tasting drug, but it beats having GERD symptoms!
4.7Patient Review
12/15/2016 This drug helped more than all the other PPI medications I was taking.
3Patient Review
5/5/2022 I have GERD and gastritis, among other digestive issues. After eating poorly for a few days, I had a bad case of reflux and pain. This treatment usually works after 5 days, but this time it took 2 weeks to give me relief. It causes me serious constipation but it’s better than the gastritis. If you use it, make sure you take high dose vitamins especially Bs and calcium as it blocks nutrients and take any other meds 2 hrs after using .
2Patient Review
1/6/2015 I've had Psoriatic Arthritis for 23 years and my rheumatologist prescribed Carafate to prevent an ulcer. I feel it has done me much good since I've had to take NSAIDs so long in order to walk and work.
2Patient Review
4/20/2015 Despite taking this medicine for a week, I started having constipation. Finally had to quit because it "paralyzed" my colon and I was unable to have a bowel movement (BM). It took 3 days of Milk of Magnesia and another week before I was able to go - then developed crampy diarrhea. I will NEVER use Carafate again!!!!
1.7Patient Review
1/15/2019 I was prescribed this for my acid reflux, but it made me feel nauseous and bloated. It also caused constipation, so I stopped taking it.
1Patient Review
6/5/2018 Unfortunately, I had a really severe allergic reaction after only two doses of this medication.
Patient Q&A Section about carafate
How long does it take for Carafate to work?
"Before taking Carafate, it is important to speak with a doctor. They will explain how long it may take to see the full benefits of the medicine. In some cases, it may only take a few weeks to see results, while in others it may take up to two months. It is important to follow the doctor's instructions and take the medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if symptoms improve quickly. Once the active ulcer has healed, the doctor may want the patient to continue taking Carafate at a lower dose." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
What symptoms does Carafate help?
"Reflux esophagitis is the inflammation of the esophagus from the backflow of stomach acid. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a stomach ulcer. The medication treatment for healing a stomach ulcer is an ulcer of the duodenum. The medication treatment for healing an ulcer of the duodenum is stress ulcer prevention." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
Is Carafate an antacid?
"Sucralfate is a medication used to treat duodenal ulcers. It works by healing the ulcer, but cannot be used to prevent future ulcers from occurring." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
What is Carafate used for?
"This medication is used to treat and prevent ulcers in the intestines. Sucralfate coats and protects ulcers, which helps them heal more quickly." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer