Sucralfate

Sucralfate is used to treat ulcers. It adheres to damaged ulcer tissue and protects against acid and enzymes so healing can occur. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Sucralfate comes as a tablet and liquid to take by mouth. It usually is taken four times a day, 1 hour before meals and at bedtime. Take sucralfate on an empty stomach, 2 hours after or 1 hour before meals. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take sucralfate exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Shake liquid sucralfate well before measuring doses. This medicine must be taken regularly to be effective. It may take up to 8 weeks for ulcers to heal.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Sucralfate may cause side effects. To avoid constipation, abdominal pain, and gas, eat a high-fiber diet (extra fruits, vegetables, salads, and bran) and drink plenty of fluids.</p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

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passing red or black stools</li>
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coughing up or vomiting material that is bright red or looks like coffee grounds</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking sucralfate, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sucralfate or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially antacids (Mylanta, Maalox), anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), cinoxacin (Cinobac), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), digoxin (Lanoxin), enoxacin (Penetrex), ketoconazole (Nizoral), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), nalidixic acid (NegGram), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), phenytoin (Dilantin), quinidine, sparfloxacin (Zagam), tetracycline (Sumycin), and vitamins. If you are taking any of these medicines, do not take them within 2 hours of taking sucralfate. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart or kidney disease or diabetes.