Overview

Sucralfate is used to treat and prevent duodenal ulcers. Sucralfate works by forming a ``barrier'' or ``coating'' over the ulcer. This protects the ulcer from the acid of the stomach, allowing it to heal. Sucralfate contains an aluminum salt.

Sucralfate is used in?

• Gastric ulcers
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (a condition in which stomach acid washes back into the esophagus)
• Stomach or intestinal ulcers resulting from stress or trauma damage or from damage caused by medication used to treat rheumatoid arthritis

Contraindications

It is contraindicated for patients with known hypersensitivity reactions to the active substance or to any of the excipients.

Side Effects

Constipation, dry mouth, upset stomach, gas, and nausea may occur.

Dosage

Oral:
Disclaimer:To be taken only after consulting with the doctor.

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Although sucralfate's mechanism is not entirely understood, there are several factors that most likely contribute to its action. Sucralfate, with its strong negative charge, binds to exposed positively-charged proteins at the base of ulcers. In this way, it coats the ulcer and forms a physical barrier that protects the ulcer surface from further injury by acid and pepsin. It directly inhibits pepsin (an enzyme that breaks apart proteins) in the presence of stomach acid and binds bile salts coming from the liver via the bile thus protecting the stomach lining from injury caused by the bile acids. Sucralfate may increase prostaglandin production. Prostaglandins are known to protect the lining of the stomach and may also bind epithelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor, both of which enhance the growth and repair mechanism of the stomach lining.

Pharmacodynamics

The following class of drugs if co-administered with the medication may cause severe drug interactions:
Anti-depressants, sympathomimetic agents(epinephrine), Anesthetics(halothane), adrenergic-blocking agent (e.g., Phenothiazine drugs) and any other drug containing acetaminophen.