Duodenal ulcers can be treated with sucralfate and prevented from recurring (ulcers located in first part of the small intestine). To treat and stop the spread of ulcers brought on by a certain type of bacteria, additional medicine, such as antibiotics, may be required (H. pylori) Sucralfate belongs to the group of drugs known as protectants. It adheres to the injured ulcer tissue and offers defence against enzymes and acid so that healing can take place.

Sucralfate is available as a liquid and tablet for oral consumption. The liquid or tablet form of sucralfate is typically taken four times per day if it is being used to treat ulcers. Sucralfate tablets are often taken twice daily if they are being used to prevent ulcers from recurring after they have healed. On an empty stomach, two hours after or one hour before meals, take sucralfate. Sucralfate should be taken at the same times each day. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Sucralfate should be taken as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Before each usage, give the beverage a good shake to evenly distribute the medication.

For this medication to work, regular use is required. Ulcers can take up to 8 weeks to heal.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking sucralfate,

• If you have an allergy to sucralfate, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in sucralfate tablets or liquid, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away. Get a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Mention anticoagulants (also known as “blood thinners”) such as warfarin (Coumadin), cimetidine (Tagamet), cinoxacin (Cinobac), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), digoxin (Lanoxin), enoxacin (Penetrex), ketoconazole (Nizoral), levofloxacin (Levaquin), and levothyroxine; quinidine, ranitidine (Zantac), sparfloxacin (Zagam), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), nalidixic acid (NegGram), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), tetracycline, and theophylline (Theo-24) Take any of these medications at least two hours before sucralfate if you are taking any of them. Also, your doctor might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye out for any negative side effects.
• Antacids should be taken at least 30 minutes before or after sucralfate if you must take them.
• Inform your doctor if you have kidney illness, diabetes, or any other disorders that could impair your gag or cough reflexes or cause difficulties swallowing. Moreover, let your doctor know if you have any additional digestive problems or if you are getting enteral tube feedings.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking sucralfate.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Side effects from sucralfate are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Constipation

Certain adverse effects can be very harmful. Get emergency medical care if you encounter any of the following symptoms, or call your doctor right away:

• Hives
• Rash
• Itching
• Breathing or swallowing challenges
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, or face

Sucralfate may result in additional adverse effects. If you have any strange side effects while taking this medicine, call your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Do not freeze sucralfate liquid.

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose signs could include the following:

• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdomen ache

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To determine how you are responding to sucralfate, your doctor may request specific lab tests.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.