Carafate 1g (Sucralfate)

Carafate general information

What is Carafate used for?

Carafate tablets 1g are used to treat acute, non-malignant peptic ulcers of the stomach (gastric ulcers) and of the small intestine (duodenal ulcers), which are caused by excess secretion of gastric acid, which is produced by the stomach to aid digestion. Peptic ulcers are usually secondary to infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, and this damages the lining of the stomach or small intestine, allowing it to be further damaged by gastric acid. Using Carafate tablets 1g allows ulcers to heal reducing symptoms of indigestion, pain and bloating. Carafate tablets 1g are also used as maintenance therapy to prevent the recurrence of duodenal ulcers.

How does Carafate work?

Carafate tablets 1g contain sucralfate, which is a complex of aluminium hydroxide and sulphated sucrose and binds to the surface of ulcers, forming a cytoprotective (protects cells from chemical damage) barrier over the ulcer that protects it from damaging effects of gastric acid. Carafate tablets 1g also inhibits the action of the proteolytic (digests proteins) enzyme pepsin and bile, an acidic digestive secretion from the liver. Sucralfate in Carafate tablets 1g is not an antacid and is not absorbed from the gut but acts locally by binding to proteins on the surface of the ulcer and blocking the diffusion of gastric acid across this protective barrier; and also by and forming complexes directly with pepsin and bile. The combined action of Carafate tablets 1g allows ulcers to heal and prevents them becoming severe, which can cause bleeding and perforation.

What does Carafate contain?

Carafate tablets 1g contain the active ingredient sucralfate, a cytoprotectant used to treat gastrointestinal peptic ulcers.

Treating peptic ulcers with Carafate

Carafate tablets 1g contain sucralfate, which is a cytoprotectant (protects cells from chemical damage) barrier used to treat peptic ulcers of the stomach (gastric ulcers) or the small intestine (duodenal ulcers). Peptic ulcers are caused by excess secretion of gastric acid, which is produced by the stomach to aid digestion. Peptic ulcers are usually secondary to infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, and this damages the lining of the stomach or small intestine, allowing it to be further damaged by gastric acid. Sucralfate in Carafate tablets 1g is not an antacid and is not absorbed from the gut but acts locally by binding to proteins on the surface of the ulcer and blocking the diffusion of gastric acid across this protective barrier; and also by and blocking the action of the proteolytic (digests proteins) enzyme pepsin and bile, an acidic digestive secretion from the liver. By forming a protective barrier over the ulcer Carafate tablets 1g protects it from damaging effects of gastric acid, allowing the ulcer to heal reducing symptoms of indigestion, pain and bloating.

What are the side effects of Carafate?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Carafate tablets 1g include: constipation, headache, urticaria (rash), less common side effects include: nausea, diarrhoea, gastric discomfort, indigestion, dry mouth; pruritus (itching), back pain, dizziness, sleepiness; vertigo.

When should Carafate not be used?

You should not use Carafate tablets 1g if you:

• are allergic to sucralfate or any ingredients in Carafate tablets
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney disease
• have an actively bleeding peptic ulcer
• have taken antacids within half an hour before or after Carafate tablets
• are taking medicines that interact with Carafate within 2 hours of taking Carafate, including: the antibiotics tetracycline, ciprofloxacin or norfloxacin, the antifungal ketoconazole, digoxin for heart failure, the anticoagulant warfarin, the anticonvulsant phenytoin, theophylline for asthma, the thyroid hormone thyroxine, the antiarrhythmic quinidine, H2 antagonists for stomach ulcers

What medications interact with Carafate?

Several medications are affected by Carafate tablets 1g, which binds to them in the stomach, and they should therefore not be taken within 2 hours of taking Carafate, including: the antibiotics tetracycline, ciprofloxacin or norfloxacin, the antifungal ketoconazole, digoxin for heart failure, the anticoagulant warfarin, the anticonvulsant phenytoin, theophylline for asthma, the thyroid hormone thyroxine, the antiarrhythmic quinidine, H2 antagonists for stomach ulcers.

How should Carafate be taken?

You should take your Carafate tablets 1g with a glass of water on an empty stomach at least one hour before food or four hours after food. The dose you take and how often depends on your condition and your doctor’s recommendation and is usually 2-3 times daily before meals and/or at bedtime. You should continue to take your Carafate tablets 1g usually for 6-8 weeks until your ulcer has healed, or longer for up to 12 weeks if your ulcer still has not healed. Your doctor may recommend that you continue to take your Carafate tablets 1g twice daily for up to 12 months to reduce the risk of recurrence of duodenal ulcers.

How long should you take Carafate?

You should continue to take your Carafate tablets 1g usually for 6-8 weeks until your ulcer has healed, or longer for up to 12 weeks if your ulcer still has not healed. Your doctor may recommend that you continue to take your Carafate tablets 1g twice daily for up to 12 months to reduce the risk of recurrence of duodenal ulcers.

Missed dose of Carafate

If you miss a dose of Carafate tablets 1g take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Carafate be stored?

You should store your Carafate tablets 1g below 25°C in a cool dry place.