Sucralfate or sucralfateis a drug to treat gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, or chronic gastritis. This medicine will stick to the injured part of the stomach or intestine and protect it from stomach acid, digestive enzymes, and bile salts.
The protective layer formed by the sucralfate will prevent the ulcer from getting worse. In addition, this way of working can also help ulcer healing.Sucralfate should only be used according to a doctor's prescription.
Sucralfate trademark: Episan, Incral, Kralix, Mucogard, Neciblok, Nucral, Sucralfate, Ulcumaag, Ulsafate, Ulsicral, Ulsidex
What is Sucralfate
| Category | Antiulcerant |
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Benefit | Treat gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, chronic gastritis, and prevent gastrointestinal bleeding |
| Consumed by | Adults and children |
| Sucralfate for pregnant and lactating women | Category B:Animal studies have not shown any risk to the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. It is not known whether sucralfate can be absorbed into breast milk or not. Talk to your doctor about using this medicine during breastfeeding. |
| Drug form | Suspension, tablets |
Warning Before Taking Sucralfate
Sucralfate should not be taken carelessly. There are several things that must be considered before using this drug, including:
- Do not take sucralfate if you are allergic to this drug.
- Tell your doctor if you have had certain medical procedures or procedures, for example, have used endotracheal tube (ETT) or have had a feeding tube in place for a long time.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, kidney disease, or dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
- See your doctor immediately if you have an allergic reaction to the drug or you have overdosed on sucralfate.
Sucralfate Dosage and Rules
Sucralfate will be given by a doctor. Here is the dosage sucralfate for adult patients based on their intended use:
- Condition: Gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer
1 gram, 4 times daily, or 2 grams, 2 times daily, for 4–12 weeks. The maintenance dose to prevent recurrence is 1 gram, 2 times a day. The maximum dose is 8 grams per day.
- Condition: Chronic gastritis
1 gram, 4 times daily, or 2 grams, 2 times daily, for 4–12 weeks. The maximum dose is 8 grams per day.
- Condition: Prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding
1 gram, 6 times a day. The maximum dose is 8 grams per day.
The dosage for children will be determined by the doctor based on the patient's condition.
Method Consuming Sucralfate Correctly
Follow the doctor's advice and read the information listed on the drug packaging label before using sucralfate. Do not increase or decrease the dose without consulting your doctor first.
Take sucralfate on an empty stomach, for example 1 hour before a meal or as directed by a doctor. If you usesucralfate in the form of a suspension, shake the bottle before consumption.
Consume sucralfate regularly at the same time every day to get maximum benefits.
If you forget to take sucralfate, take it immediately if the break with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
Continue to take sucralfate as recommended by your doctor even if you feel that your complaints and symptoms have improved. Perform control according to the schedule that has been given by the doctor. Treatment for ulcers or ulcers in the stomach or in the duodenum (small intestine) generally takes a certain period of time.
Give a gap of at least 2 hours if you want to take other drugs, because sucralfate can affect the absorption of drugs into the body. Avoid taking antacids 30 minutes before or after taking sucralfate.
Store sucralfate in a dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of children.
Sucralfate Interaction with Other Drugs
The use of sucralfate together with other drugs can cause the following drug-drug interactions:
- Decreases absorption of digoxin, dolutegravir, ketoconazole, furosemide, tetracycline, theophylline, ranitidine, cimetidine, phenytoin, norfloxacin, warfarin, or ciprofloxacin
- Increases blood levels of sucralfate when used with vitamin D supplements
- Increase the level of aluminum hydroxide in the blood
Sucralfate Side Effects and Dangers
Side effects that may arise after taking sucralfate are:
- Constipation
- Headache
- dry mouth
- Dizzy
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Bloated
- Nausea or vomiting
Check with your doctor if the side effects above don't go away or get worse. Immediately see a doctor if there is an allergic reaction to the drug which can be characterized by the appearance of an itchy rash on the skin, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the lips and eyelids, after taking sucralfate.