Sucralfate oral tablet side effects: A detailed guide

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved sucralfate oral tablet to:

• treat duodenal ulcers
• heal the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) after an ulcer and help prevent future ulcers

This article describes possible side effects of sucralfate oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for sucralfate. You can explore this overview article to learn more about sucralfate, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Sucralfate oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Carafate. Sucralfate also comes in a liquid suspension that you’ll swallow, but this form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about this form, talk with your doctor.

More common side effects of sucralfate

Sucralfate oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of sucralfate oral tablet include:

• constipation
• nausea
• vomiting

Mild side effects of sucralfate

Sucralfate may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of sucralfate oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• back pain
• constipation
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• flatulence*
• headache
• indigestion*
• insomnia (trouble sleeping) or sleepiness
• itchy skin
• nausea and vomiting
• vertigo
• mild allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of sucralfate in detail” section below.

Sucralfate oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects of sucralfate

Sucralfate may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from sucralfate oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with sucralfate.

Serious side effects of sucralfate oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• bezoar*^†
• severe allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of sucralfate in detail” section below.
† This side effect was reported only after sucralfate became available on the market.

Common questions about side effects of sucralfate

Here are answers to some common questions about the side effects of sucralfate oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can sucralfate be used for gastritis? If so, does it cause similar side effects compared to when it’s taken for other uses?

Maybe. Sucralfate is not approved for treating gastritis. But a doctor may still prescribe the drug off-label for this and other purposes. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

That said, the drug wasn’t used for treating gastritis during its approval studies. So the studies didn’t report side effects of sucralfate for this purpose.

Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about possible off-label uses for sucralfate.

Does sucralfate cause long-term side effects?

No, long-term side effects aren’t expected with sucralfate oral tablet. In studies, specific side effects weren’t seen in people who had taken the drug for a long time. Long lasting side effects after treatment ended also weren’t reported.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about possible long-term side effects with sucralfate.

Coupon for sucralfate

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for sucralfate 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.

Side effects of sucralfate in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of sucralfate oral tablet.

Bezoar

Bezoar was not reported as a side effect in studies of people taking sucralfate oral tablet. Instead, it was reported after the drug was approved for use. In most cases, people who reported bezoar had other conditions that increased their risk for this side effect. Bezoar may be a serious side effect.

A bezoar is a mass of undigested material in your gastrointestinal tract. Bezoars sometimes don’t cause symptoms. But left untreated, a bezoar can cause a bowel obstruction or perforation.

When they do occur, symptoms of a bezoar may include loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and nausea and vomiting.

Certain factors can increase the risk of bezoar with sucralfate oral tablet. These include having a condition that slows how quickly your stomach empties, such as gastroparesis. Another risk factor is receiving tube feedings.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of bezoar, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely want to see you in person to evaluate your symptoms. They’ll also likely order imaging tests, such as X-ray or endoscopy, to check for a bezoar.

If your doctor confirms you have a bezoar, they’ll recommend an appropriate treatment. Options include endoscopy and medications to break down the bezoar. Your doctor can discuss with you whether it’s safe for you to continue treatment with sucralfate if you develop a bezoar.

Indigestion

In studies, indigestion was rare in people taking sucralfate oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild.

With indigestion, you experience digestive symptoms such as a feeling of discomfort or fullness in your abdomen, nausea, and heartburn. Indigestion happens when your body cannot digest food the way it usually does.

Certain factors can increase the risk of indigestion with sucralfate oral tablet. These include having a condition that slows how quickly your stomach empties, such as gastroparesis. 

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of indigestion that bother you, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend:

• trying a treatment for upset stomach and seeing if your symptoms go away as you continue taking sucralfate, or
• stopping treatment with sucralfate, if indigestion symptoms don’t go away or are severe

Flatulence

In studies, flatulence was rare in people taking sucralfate oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild.

Flatulence is also known as farting or passing gas. It’s the medical term for the release of gas created by the digestive system through the anus.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of flatulence that bother you, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend:

• trying a treatment for flatulence and seeing if your symptoms go away as you continue taking sucralfate, or
• stopping treatment with sucralfate, if your flatulence bothers you or is accompanied by other bothersome symptoms, such as abdominal pain

Allergic reaction

For some people, sucralfate oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. These reactions were rare in studies.

Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to sucralfate oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for sucralfate

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking sucralfate oral tablet.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to take sucralfate oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether sucralfate oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking sucralfate oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• conditions which cause trouble swallowing, such as having a tracheostomy
• conditions which slow how quickly your stomach empties, such as gastroparesis
• kidney condition, such as chronic kidney disease
• past allergic reaction to sucralfate

Sucralfate and pregnancy

It’s not known whether sucralfate oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Sucralfate and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether sucralfate oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Sucralfate and alcohol

Sucralfate oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.

That said, drinking alcohol can worsen symptoms of an ulcer if you have one. Sucralfate is prescribed to treat and heal ulcers in your duodenum, which is the first part of your small intestine.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with sucralfate oral tablet.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of sucralfate oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

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

• Do other medications I take raise my risk of side effects from taking sucralfate?
• If I receive kidney dialysis, is it safe for me to take sucralfate?
• Does my risk of side effects depend on the sucralfate dosage I’m prescribed?
• How do side effects of sucralfate compare with other treatments for ulcers?

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.