Sucralfate is a medication used to treat and prevent duodenal ulcers. It is also used to prevent re-erosion of duodenal ulcers. It is important to note that sucralfate should be taken on an empty stomach, at least one hour before a meal, and usually 2 to 4 times daily. It is also recommended to inform your doctor if you are taking any other medications, as sucralfate may reduce the absorption of certain drugs. While there are no known interactions between sucralfate and laxatives, it is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional before taking any new medications or supplements.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Can I take laxatives with sucralfate? | No interactions were found between Carafate (sucralfate) and MiraLAX (laxative). However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult a healthcare provider. |
How does sucralfate work? | Sucralfate forms a film with albumin (a protein) exuded from the ulcer site. This film acts as a barrier to gastric acid, pepsin (a digestive enzyme), and bile salts. |
How is sucralfate used? | It is used to treat and prevent duodenal ulcers in the short term (four to eight weeks). It may be given as a smaller dose long-term to prevent re-erosion of the duodenal ulcer. |
Are there any side effects? | Constipation is the main side effect reported (in 2% of people); other side effects include diarrhea, nausea, itch, rash, and dry mouth. Generally, side effects are relatively rare (only reported in 4.7% of people who take sucralfate). |
Are there any drug interactions with sucralfate? | Some medications may not work as well if taken at the same time as sucralfate. These include antibiotics, l-thyroxine (levothyroxine), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, phosphate supplements, and warfarin. |
What You'll Learn
Sucralfate is used to treat stomach and intestine ulcers
Sucralfate is a medication used to treat and prevent duodenal and intestinal ulcers. It is also used to prevent recurrent ulcers after healing. It is available as a tablet or liquid, and is taken by mouth on an empty stomach, usually two to four times a day. It is important to take sucralfate regularly, as directed by a doctor, for it to be effective. It may take up to eight weeks for ulcers to heal.
Sucralfate belongs to the class of medicines known as disaccharide sulfates and protectant anti-ulcer medicines. It is not known exactly how it works, but research shows that it forms a film with albumin, a protein exuded from the ulcer site. This film acts as a barrier to gastric acid, pepsin (a digestive enzyme), and bile salts, protecting the ulcer from further injury and helping it to heal more quickly.
Sucralfate is generally well-tolerated, with minimal side effects. The most common side effect is constipation, reported in 2% of people. Other side effects include nausea, itch, rash, and dry mouth. It is important to note that sucralfate contains aluminum, and while it is considered safe during pregnancy, it may lead to aluminum accumulation in people with poor kidney function or those taking other aluminum-containing products.
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It is not known to interact with laxatives
Sucralfate is a medication used to treat and prevent duodenal and intestinal ulcers. It forms a protective coating over ulcers, creating a barrier against gastric acid, pepsin, and bile salts. This medication is generally well-tolerated, with minimal side effects, and is typically taken two to four times daily on an empty stomach.
While sucralfate is known to interact with a range of other medications, it is not known to interact with laxatives. This means that taking a laxative with sucralfate will not cause any adverse reactions or affect how well either medication works. However, it is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional before taking any new medication, and to inform them of any medications you are currently taking.
Laxatives are a type of medication used to treat occasional constipation. They work by drawing water into the intestines, stimulating intestinal movement, and relieving constipation. They can also be used to treat symptoms caused by high stomach acid, such as heartburn, indigestion, and upset stomach.
It is important to note that, while sucralfate and laxatives do not have any known interactions, both types of medication can interact with other substances and medications. For example, sucralfate can interact with certain antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and ofloxacin, as well as with digoxin, ketoconazole, phenytoin, and thyroid medications. Therefore, it is crucial to discuss any new medications with a healthcare professional and to be aware of potential interactions, even when none are known to exist.
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It can be taken with antacids, but not at the same time
Sucralfate is a medication used to treat and prevent duodenal and intestinal ulcers. It forms a protective coating over ulcers, shielding them from further damage and promoting faster healing. While sucralfate is generally well-tolerated and has minimal side effects, it's important to be aware of potential drug interactions.
One concern when considering taking laxatives with sucralfate is the possibility of reduced absorption or effectiveness of either medication. Sucralfate is only minimally absorbed in the stomach and duodenum, but it can still interact with other drugs. It is recommended that certain antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, and phosphate supplements, among others, be taken at least two hours before or after sucralfate to avoid any issues.
Laxatives, particularly those containing magnesium hydroxide, can also interact with other medications. They may decrease the absorption of drugs such as tetracycline antibiotics and quinolone antibiotics, which are among the medications known to interact with sucralfate. Therefore, it is advisable to separate the doses of these medications as much as possible.
When it comes to taking laxatives with sucralfate, while there is no known interaction between the two, it is always advisable to consult a healthcare provider before combining any medications. Additionally, as sucralfate can be taken with antacids but not at the same time, it is recommended that antacids be taken at least 30 minutes before or after sucralfate to avoid any potential interaction. This is because both medications can interact with each other, affecting their absorption or effectiveness. Therefore, it is important to maintain a time gap between taking sucralfate and antacids to ensure optimal results.
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It is generally well-tolerated with few side effects
Sucralfate is generally well-tolerated with few side effects. In clinical trials, adverse reactions to the drug were minor and rarely led to discontinuation. Out of more than 2,700 patients treated with sucralfate, only 4.7% reported experiencing side effects.
The most common side effect is constipation, which was reported by 2% of patients. This is due to the medication binding to ulcers to protect them from stomach acid, bile, pepsin, and bile salts, which can slow down the passage of food and waste through the digestive tract.
Less common side effects (reported by less than 0.5% of patients) include:
- Nausea or gastrointestinal discomfort
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Flatulence
- Gastric discomfort
- Indigestion
- Vomiting
- Itching or skin rash
- Sleep problems (insomnia)
- Hypersensitivity reactions (shortness of breath, lip swelling, and hives)
Serious but rare side effects include anaphylaxis, severe constipation, bezoar formations, and hyperglycemia.
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It may not be suitable for people with conditions that impair swallowing
Sucralfate may not be suitable for people with conditions that impair swallowing or alter the gag or cough reflex, or those with a prior history of aspiration. In rare cases, aspiration of sucralfate tablets has occurred.
If you are taking sucralfate with enteral (tube) feedings, the feeding tube may become clogged and/or the sucralfate may not work as well. Interrupting the feeding for one hour before and after the sucralfate dose may help avoid this interaction, but this may not always be feasible.
If you are taking sucralfate with a feeding tube, it is important to tell your doctor so they can advise on the best course of action.
It is also important to note that sucralfate contains aluminum, and small amounts of aluminum are absorbed after oral administration. This may lead to aluminum accumulation in people with poor kidney function or those taking other aluminum-containing products such as antacids. People with reduced kidney function may be more likely to experience side effects or aluminum accumulation with sucralfate, and the dosage may need to be adjusted.
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Frequently asked questions
There are no known interactions between sucralfate and the laxative MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol 3350). However, sucralfate is known to interact with at least 157 other drugs, so it is important to consult your healthcare provider.
Sucralfate forms a film with albumin, a protein exuded from the ulcer site, which acts as a barrier to gastric acid, pepsin, and bile salts. It is used to treat and prevent duodenal ulcers.
The main side effect of sucralfate is constipation, reported in 2% of people. Other side effects include diarrhea, nausea, itch, rash, and dry mouth.
It may take up to eight weeks for an ulcer to fully heal. One dose of sucralfate lasts approximately six hours.
Yes, you can take antacids with sucralfate, but they should be taken at least 30 minutes before or after sucralfate.