Sucralfate

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA
Updated on June 27, 2023

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved sucralfate to:

• treat duodenal ulcers
• help prevent the return of duodenal ulcers

These approved uses differ based on the form of sucralfate your doctor prescribes.

This article describes sucralfate’s uses, side effects, and more. You’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of sucralfate.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about sucralfate.

Is it safe to take sucralfate with oxetacaine?

Yes, it’s safe to take sucralfate with oxetacaine. But oxetacaine isn’t available in the United States.

Oxetacaine can relieve pain caused by an ulcer, among other uses.

If you’d like to know more about other drugs to ease ulcer pain while taking sucralfate, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can sucralfate be used for dogs?

Yes, veterinarians can prescribe sucralfate for dogs and other animals. It’s usually given to animals for ulcers.

To learn more about using sucralfate in animals, talk with your pet’s veterinarian. Do not give sucralfate or any other medication to a pet without talking with a veterinarian.

Is sucralfate used for gastritis?

Not usually. Sucralfate is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for gastritis, but doctors might prescribe it off-label for this purpose. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for

Gastritis refers to inflammation (swelling and damage) of tissue that lines the stomach.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about treatment options for gastritis.

How does sucralfate work? And how long does it take to start working?

Sucralfate works by sticking to an ulcer, which is an open sore in the digestive tract’s lining. As a result of sticking to the ulcer, sucralfate protects the ulcer from digestive juices and helps it heal. Note that sucralfate is specifically prescribed to treat duodenal ulcers, which are ulcers in the duodenum (first part of the small intestine).

Sucralfate starts working right away to protect duodenal ulcer. But it can take 2–4 weeks for the ulcer to heal.

If you’d like to know more about how sucralfate works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as sucralfate for certain conditions. Approved uses for sucralfate are described below. These uses differ based on the form of sucralfate prescribed.

Use for duodenal ulcer

Doctors may prescribe sucralfate oral tablet or oral suspension (a type of mixture in liquid) for treating a duodenal ulcer. Sucralfate oral tablet may also be prescribed to help prevent the return of a duodenal ulcer. For these purposes, the drug is prescribed in adults. The oral tablet can be prescribed as a short-term or long-term treatment. The oral suspension is usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With a duodenal ulcer, a sore develops in the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Such sores may occur when digestive juices wear away the lining that protects the digestive tract. This often results from a Helicobacter pylori infection. A duodenal ulcer causes pain and other symptoms, such as nausea and bloating.

Sucralfate may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of sucralfate and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about sucralfate’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for sucralfate listed in the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with sucralfate are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about sucralfate’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for sucralfate listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Mild side effects of sucralfate oral tablet and oral suspension (a type of mixture in liquid) include:

• constipation
• diarrhea
• gas
• nausea
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for sucralfate” section.

Serious side effects

Sucralfate may cause serious side effects.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about sucralfate’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for sucralfate listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, sucralfate’s serious side effects include:

• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for sucralfate” section.

Below, you’ll find information about sucralfate’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of sucralfate

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take sucralfate, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for sucralfate” section just below.

Warnings for sucralfate

Some people should not take sucralfate, and others should take it cautiously.

Sucralfate could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether sucralfate is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of sucralfate you take.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for sucralfate, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Sucralfate can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to sucralfate or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe sucralfate. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to sucralfate, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of sucralfate

You should not take more sucralfate than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much sucralfate, 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 concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and sucralfate

Information about sucralfate and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Sucralfate and pregnancy

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

This article describes sucralfate’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about sucralfate or would like more details about it.

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

• Should I take sucralfate with food or on an empty stomach?
• Can I take other medications at the same time as my sucralfate doses?
• How does sucralfate compare with other medications that could treat my condition?

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Sucralfate oral suspension. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/e4761fb2-6a1a-44de-9d27-f6addabc24c8/spl-doc
• Sucralfate tablets, USP. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/2687d670-8af6-42a2-9081-fee112e80fc0/spl-doc

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.