Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMechanism of ActionDosageSide EffectsWarningsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Mechanism of Action
Dosage
Side Effects
Warnings
Frequently Asked Questions
Symptoms of duodenal ulcers include:
The Link Between H. Pylori and Peptic Ulcers
SDI Productions / Getty Images
Carafate is a type of medication called protectants. These medications adhere to tissue in the lining of the stomach or small intestine that have been damaged and protect them from digestive acid and enzymes while they heal.
Your healthcare provider can prescribe Carafate in a pill or liquid form. The liquid form is sometimes referred to asCarafate suspension.
When prescribed for an active stomach ulcer, the pills or liquid dose are usually taken several times a day. In order for the medication to work, you need to take Carafate exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes it for you. It may take many weeks (up to eight) for the ulcers to heal.
Usually, your healthcare provider will tell you to take Carafate:
Carafate can cause minor side effects, though they are rarely serious enough for patients to stop taking the drug. The most common side effect is constipation, which occurs in about2 percent of patients.
Other side effects include:
Serious side effects are rare but possible. Seek emergency medical care if you experience any of the following after you start taking Carafate:
Do not take more of this medication than your healthcare provider prescribes. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Overdose of Carafate is not common, but if you think you have taken too much, call Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 or go to the emergency room.
A Word From Verywell
Carafate is a safe and effective prescription medication used to treat duodenal ulcers. Before you start taking Carafate, let your healthcare provider know if you have conditions like diabetes or kidney disease, are nursing, pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, or have had adverse reactions to medications like Carafate before.
Tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, even if they are over-the-counter or dietary/herbal supplements. Carafate can change how your body absorbs certain medications, so your healthcare provider might want you to take less or stop taking certain medications while you’re taking Carafate.
Make sure you only take as much as your healthcare provider prescribes and take the medication for as long as they tell you to. Carafate make take many weeks (up to eight) to help duodenal ulcers heal. Carafate can cause minor side effects, though they are usually not serious enough for patients to stop taking the drug. If you experience any serious side effects, such as swelling of the mouth or trouble breathing, stop taking Carafate and call your healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe most common side effect of Carafate (also called sucralfate) is constipation. More serious side effects are rare but can include hives or rashes, itching, difficulty breathing or swallowing, and swelling of the face, throat, tongue, or lips. If any of these serious side effects occur, seek emergency care right away.Carafate is prescribed as a pill or liquid, but sometimes the liquid form is called Carafate suspension or sucralfate oral suspension.Yes, both Carafate and sucralfate have been used to treat and preventgastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
The most common side effect of Carafate (also called sucralfate) is constipation. More serious side effects are rare but can include hives or rashes, itching, difficulty breathing or swallowing, and swelling of the face, throat, tongue, or lips. If any of these serious side effects occur, seek emergency care right away.
Carafate is prescribed as a pill or liquid, but sometimes the liquid form is called Carafate suspension or sucralfate oral suspension.
Yes, both Carafate and sucralfate have been used to treat and preventgastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Peptic Ulcer Diet Recommendations
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Carafate.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Stomach and duodenal ulcers (peptic ulcers).Abbvie Inc.Carafate.RxList.Carafate suspension (sucralfate): Side effects, uses, dosage, interactions, warnings.Medical Professionals Reference.Carafate suspension.MedlinePlus.Sucralfate.Cleveland Clinic.Sucralfate suspension.National Library of Medicine PubChem.Sucralfate.Additional ReadingPrescribers' Digital Reference.Sucralfate - drug summary.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Carafate.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Stomach and duodenal ulcers (peptic ulcers).Abbvie Inc.Carafate.RxList.Carafate suspension (sucralfate): Side effects, uses, dosage, interactions, warnings.Medical Professionals Reference.Carafate suspension.MedlinePlus.Sucralfate.Cleveland Clinic.Sucralfate suspension.National Library of Medicine PubChem.Sucralfate.Additional ReadingPrescribers' Digital Reference.Sucralfate - drug summary.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Carafate.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Stomach and duodenal ulcers (peptic ulcers).Abbvie Inc.Carafate.RxList.Carafate suspension (sucralfate): Side effects, uses, dosage, interactions, warnings.Medical Professionals Reference.Carafate suspension.MedlinePlus.Sucralfate.Cleveland Clinic.Sucralfate suspension.National Library of Medicine PubChem.Sucralfate.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Carafate.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Stomach and duodenal ulcers (peptic ulcers).
Abbvie Inc.Carafate.
RxList.Carafate suspension (sucralfate): Side effects, uses, dosage, interactions, warnings.
Medical Professionals Reference.Carafate suspension.
MedlinePlus.Sucralfate.
Cleveland Clinic.Sucralfate suspension.
National Library of Medicine PubChem.Sucralfate.
Prescribers' Digital Reference.Sucralfate - drug summary.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
