Prescription Required
Description
What is Carafate?
Carafate is an oral medication made up of sucralfate. Carafate comes in both an oral tablet form and as an oral suspension (liquid). The tablet is available in 1g while the suspension is available in 1g/5ml.
What is Carafate used for?
This medication is used to treat ulcers in the intestines. Ulcers are considered a sore; this means that they are an open and painful wound. They can often times cause a person to vomit and can cause very uncomfortable abdominal pain.
How does Carafate work?
Sucralfate works by forming a protective coat around the ulcers so acids, enzymes and bile salts cannot cause further injury resulting in a faster healing process.
Directions
Always follow instructions given to you by your doctor.
Use this medication regularly to get the full effectiveness.
Store at room temperature away from heat and moisture.
Tablet
Take by mouth 2-4 times a day Take tablet on an empty stomach and at least 1 hour prior to eating
Liquid
Never attempt to receive the liquid form by injecting into the body, this can cause death.
Shake the bottle well before using
Take by mouth 4 times a day
Take tablet on an empty stomach and at least 1 hour prior to eating
Do not freeze
Cautions
Never attempt to receive the liquid form of Carafate by injecting into the body, this can cause death.
Tell your doctor about all medications you are currently taking including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, and herbal remedies and be sure to mention any drug allergies you may have.
Avoid taking other medications within 120 minutes (2 hours) of taking Carafate. This medication can make other medications harder for the body to absorb.
Mention to your doctor if you have:
a nursing baby or a baby on the way; diabetes; kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); or trouble swallowing tablets.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Carafate may include:
constipation, diarrhea; nausea, vomiting, upset stomach; itching, rash; dizziness, drowsiness; sleep problems (insomnia); headache; or back pain.
Serious side effects of Carafate include:
an unusual/persistent feeling of fullness in the stomach; nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain especially after meals.
Signs to watch for
Allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
FAQs
What is Sucralfate?
Sucralfate, sold as the brand-name medication Carafate, belongs to the drug class called protectants. It comes in the form a tablet for oral administration as well as an oral suspension. After administration, Sucralfate does not undergo metabolism, instead it is excreted unchanged primarily through urination with a half-life that is unknown; it may range from 6-20 hours. We carry the brand-name product in 1g tablets and 1g/5ml bottles of oral suspension. This medication will require a valid prescription.
What is Sucralfate used for?
Sucralfate is used for the treatment of duodenal ulcers. These are ulcers that form in the first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum; they are also known as peptic (digestive tract) ulcers. Ulcers are sores, open and painful wounds, often the result of acid and digestive enzymes eating away at the inner surface of the intestine. The most common symptom is a burning pain in the upper abdomen, typically worse when the stomach is empty. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Sometimes, ulcers can be deep and cause severe pain or bleeding; they tend to become more common as people age.
How to take Carafate?
You should use Carafate exactly the way your doctor has prescribed it to you. Do not take more or less of a dose than prescribed or for longer than suggested. Below is the most common dosing regimen for Carafate; keep in mind, your dosing regimen may be different than what is listed here.
How to take Sucralfate: Shake the oral liquid well before measuring your dose. Take the oral suspension or tablet by mouth only. Swallow the tablet whole without chewing or crushing. Take your dose on an empty stomach.
When to take Sucralfate: Whenever is most convenient for you as long as antacids are taken at least 30 minutes before or after your dose. Meals should be taken 1 hour before or after your dose. Most patients take 1g 2-4 times per day in evenly spaced intervals (such as every 6 hours).
How long does Sucralfate stay in your system?
The exact length of time Sucralfate will remain in the system for will vary between each individual. Additionally, the exact half-life of Sucralfate, which is used to estimate how long it may remain in the system for, is unknown. It is thought to range from 6-20 hours, therefore; Sucralfate may remain in the system for between 30-100 hours or 1-4 days, roughly.
How long does it take for Sucralfate to work?
Sucralfate begins to work within a few hours of administration; however, the drug will need some time to heal your condition. It may take 4-8 weeks for your ulcer to completely heal. Keep in mind, each patient may experience a different length of time before the full effect is felt. Consult with your doctor if your condition persist or worsens after 4 weeks of treatment.
What are the side effects of Carafate?
Some common side effects of Carafate include constipation or diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, itching or rash, dizziness or drowsiness, sleep problems, headache, or back pain. You may experience one or a combination of these side effects; you may also experience side effects not listed here. If side effects become unmanageable or do not go away over time, you may want to consider consulting with your doctor.
What does Sucralfate do?
Sucralfate works primarily in the lining of the stomach; it works by forming a coat over top of ulcer to help protect it from stomach acid and digestive enzymes. This helps the ulcer heal without having irritations which may cause it to become worse.
Where to buy Carafate?
You can purchase Carafate from the comfort of your own home when you order internationally through My Drug Center. Many medications – including Carafate – can be purchased internationally for much cheaper than you would pay at a local United States pharmacy. You can place an order for Carafate by calling our toll free number of 1-877-385-8998; a representative will be able to place an order for you. Remember, a valid prescription is required to obtain this medication.
How much does Carafate cost?
The cost of the medication will depend on where you purchase your supply from. As previously mentioned, many medications are found cheaper internationally than in the United States. For example, My Drug Center offers 100 Carafate tablets for $108.00; this exact same supply would, on average, cost 4.5 times as much in the United States.
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