Generic Carafate

Treating and preventing ulcers. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Sucralfate is a gastric protective. It works by forming a protective layer on the ulcer to serve as a barrier against acid, bile salts, and enzymes in the stomach.

Do NOT use Sucralfate if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Sucralfate

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Sucralfate :

Some medical conditions may interact with Sucralfate. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have kidney problems or are on dialysis, or have blockage of the intestines or difficulty swallowing

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Sucralfate. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Citrate salts or medicines that contain aluminum, specifically in patients with kidney disease, because side effects from aluminum buildup may occur

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Sucralfate may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Sucralfate :

Use Sucralfate as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Sucralfate by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
• Do not take an antacid for at least 30 minutes before or after taking Sucralfate.
• It may take 4 to 8 weeks for complete healing of your ulcer. Continue taking Sucralfate for the full course of treatment even if you feel better.
• Do not take Sucralfate at the same time as other medicines. Take Sucralfate at least 2 hours after other medicines. If you are not sure about the best time to take Sucralfate , ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• If you miss a dose of Sucralfate , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Sucralfate.

Important safety information:

• Sucralfate may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Take Sucralfate with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Sucralfate has aluminum in it. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has aluminum in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Sucralfate should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Sucralfate while you are pregnant. It is not known if Sucralfate is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you take Sucralfate , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Sucralfate :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; dizziness; feeling of a whirling motion.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue).

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.