What is Carafate?
Carafate is an anti-ulcer medication.
Carafate is not greatly absorbed into the body through the digestive tract. It works mainly in the lining of the stomach by adhering to ulcer sites and protecting them from acids, enzymes, and bile salts.
Carafate is used to treat an active duodenal ulcer. It can heal an active ulcer, but it will not prevent future ulcers from occurring.
Carafate may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information about Carafate
Before taking Carafate, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis). You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Carafate. Take Carafate on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Take Carafate for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the ulcer is completely cleared.
Avoid taking any other medications at the same time you take Carafate. It is best not to take other medicines within 2 hours before or after taking Carafate.
Avoid using antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the specific type of antacid your doctor recommends. Antacids contain different medicines and some types can make it harder for Carafate to work in your stomach.
If your doctor does recommend using an antacid, avoid taking it within 30 minutes before or after taking Carafate.
Before taking Carafate
Before taking Carafate, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis). You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Carafate. FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Carafate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take Carafate?
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take Carafate with a full glass of water. Take Carafate on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the ulcer is completely cleared. Store Carafate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
An overdose of Carafate is not likely to produce life-threatening symptoms.
What should I avoid while taking Carafate?
Avoid taking any other medications at the same time you take Carafate. It is best not to take other medicines within 2 hours before or after taking Carafate.
Avoid using antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the specific type of antacid your doctor recommends. Antacids contain different medicines and some types can make it harder for Carafate to work in your stomach.
If your doctor does recommend using an antacid, avoid taking it within 30 minutes before or after taking Carafate.
Carafate side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Less serious side effects may include:
- nausea, vomiting, indigestion;
- stomach pain;
- constipation, diarrhea;
- mild itching or skin rash;
- sleep problems (insomnia);
- dizziness, drowsiness, spinning sensation;
- headache; or
- back pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
What other drugs will affect Carafate?
Taking Carafate can make it harder for your body to absorb many other medications, especially:
- cimetidine (Tagamet);
- digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
- levothyroxine (Synthroid);
- phenytoin (Dilantin);
- quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release);
- ranitidine (Zantac);
- tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap);
- theophylline (Elixophyllin, Respbid, Slo-Bid, Theo-Dur, and others);
- a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
- certain antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Carafate. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
