Carafate dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes Carafate oral forms’ dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Carafate oral forms. If you want to know more about Carafate oral forms, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Carafate is a brand-name medication that comes as an oral tablet and liquid suspension that you swallow. It’s available in a generic version called sucralfate. This article describes dosages of Carafate oral forms.

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Forms and strengths of Carafate

Carafate comes in these forms and strengths expressed in grams (g) and gram per milliliter (g/mL): 

Dosage of Carafate

This article describes the recommended dosages for Carafate oral forms. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of Carafate oral forms without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of Carafate in adults

The usual dosage of Carafate oral forms for an active duodenal ulcer is:

• Dose: 1 g
• Frequency: four times per day

You should take this Carafate dosage for 4 to 8 weeks.

Once your active ulcer is healed, you can take Carafate oral tablets at the following dosage for maintenance treatment:

• Maintenance dosage: 1 g two times per day

Note that only Carafate oral tablets should be used for maintenance treatment.

Dosage adjustments for Carafate

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of Carafate oral forms based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
• your age
• other medications you may be taking
• other health conditions you may have

Missed dose of Carafate

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of Carafate oral forms. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of Carafate oral forms and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Carafate oral forms and their dosage.

Should I take my dose of Carafate before or after food?

Carafate oral forms should be taken on an empty stomach. This generally means you should take it at least 1 hour before food and 2 hours after food.

There are no specific foods you should avoid while you’re taking Carafate oral forms. But some foods may make your duodenal ulcer worse.

Speak with your doctor to learn more about which foods to avoid, and how you should take your dosage of Carafate oral forms.

Can Carafate be used for GERD or gastritis? If so, what is the dosage?

Carafate oral forms are not approved for GERD or gastritis. But some studies have shown Carafate oral forms may help with these conditions. If your doctor prescribes Carafate oral forms for GERD or gastritis, it would be considered off-label use. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

Speak with your doctor to learn if Carafate oral forms could improve your condition.

Do older adults need a lower dose of Carafate?

Not necessarily. But your doctor may adjust your dosage of Carafate oral forms if you’re an older adult (ages 65 years and older) with certain conditions. This includes liver, kidney, and heart conditions. If your doctor prescribes you a lower dosage of Carafate, you may still be taking 1 g per dose. But you may take it less frequently.

Speak with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage of Carafate oral forms.

Is Carafate taken long term?

Carafate oral forms are usually given for the short-term treatment of duodenal ulcers. Treatment is usually 4 to 8 weeks. But it can be given long-term. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you may take it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should take Carafate oral forms, talk with your doctor.

How Carafate is taken

You’ll swallow Carafate oral forms two to four times per day on an empty stomach. You should not take antacids within 30 minutes before or after taking Carafate oral forms. If you are taking Carafate oral suspension, you should shake it well before swallowing it.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.

If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Carafate coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for Carafate oral forms when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.

Overdose of Carafate

It’s important that you do not take more Carafate oral forms than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of Carafate overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• indigestion
• abdominal pain
• nausea
• vomiting

What to do if you take too much Carafate

If you think you’ve taken too much Carafate, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for Carafate oral forms. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of Carafate oral forms without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take Carafate oral forms exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How long will it take my dosage of Carafate to start working?
• Will you change my dosage of Carafate if I’m taking other drugs with it?
• Will you change my dosage of Carafate if my current dosage isn’t working for my condition?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.