How Sucralfate Helps to Heal Stomach Ulcers and Gastritis

If you have ever suffered from gastritis or an ulcer, you know how painful this inflammatory disorder can be. It is a disorder that I suffer from chronically. At some point in time, 1 out of 10 people will have an ulcer here in the United States. Ulcers and gastritis erode and break down the mucus membranes that line the stomach. This causes a gnawing pain in the epigastric or upper middle part of the belly. Gastritis and ulcers need to be treated, because lack of care can cause complications, such as bleeding that could lead to death. Today we know more about these conditions and treatments. Luckily there is a medication to soothe the burn and help the stomach lining to heal.

What is Sucralfate?

Sucralfate, also know by the brand name Carafate, is an ulcer medication that is prescribed for short-term treatment and maintenance therapy of duodenal and peptic ulcers along with gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) and gastroesophageal reflux and irritation (GERD). Sucralfate exerts a soothing local effect within the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and very little of the drug is absorbed in the bloodstream of the patient. It forms a barrier to the normal acids and enzymes of the GI tract and protects the ulcer tissue or stomach lining from further damage, thus letting the irritated tissues to heal naturally. Sucralfate is not an antacid medication and works differently than proton-pump inhibitors like Nexium, Prilosec and Prevacid. Many doctors use both treatments as sucralfate coats the stomach and the PPI drugs reduce the aggravating acids that is produced on a daily basis.

Standard Dosage and Side Effects

The usual dosage of sucralfate for adults is 1 gram up to four times a day for active ulcers and taken twice a day for maintenance. It comes in pill or liquid form. This medications needs to be taken on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or two hours after meals. Side effects are minimal since the drug is not absorbed in the blood stream. The most common problem is constipation. Less common are diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, dry mouth, rash, itching, back pain, dizziness and sleepiness.

Drug Interactions

Since sucralfate coats the stomach, it may interfere with the absorption of other medications. Drugs that are contraindicated with this problem are cimetidine, digoxin, diclofenac, levothyroxine, ketoconazole, phenytoin, quinidine, ranitidine, tetracycline, theophyline, warfarin, ciprofloxin and other quinolone antibiotics. For proper absorption of sucralfate, it's best to avoid taking antacids 30 minutes before or after this medication. Most importantly, do not take antacids that contain aluminum while taking sucralffate. The sucralfate in itself has a small amount of aluminum in its composition. This combination increases the amount of aluminum into the bloodstream and may lead to aluminum poisoning.

This medication is not recommended for patients who have chronic kidney failure and those on dialysis. Seniors should start off with the lowest effective dose and remain there or titrate higher only with a doctor's supervision.

Although there have been no ill effects on animal fetuses, this medication is not advised in pregnancy. There are also no known facts if sucralfate is passed in breast milk, so if a mother must take this medication, infant formula should be considered for the baby.

As a sufferer of chronic gastritis, I find that sucralfate has eased my pain and has reduced the inflammation of my stomach lining. Now on a maintenance dosage, I can eat comfortably without the pain and endoscopic procedures have shown an improvement in the status of my condition.

Disclaimer: The information about this medication has been researched, although the personal claims on my condition are on my own account and cannot be guaranteed for others. Always consult your physician about medications and your treatment.

Sources:

Peptic Ulcers

Sucralfate

"Diseases of the Human Body" by Carol D. Tamparo, PhD and Marcia A. Lewis EdD, RN [F.A. Davis Company, 2005]

"The Pill Book, 13^th Edition" by Harold M. Silverman, Pharm. D. [Bantam Books, 2008]