Sucralfate oral tablet interactions: A detailed guide

This article describes possible interactions with sucralfate oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.

For coupon options for sucralfate and to learn more about the drug, including its uses, see this article.

Sucralfate comes as tablets and a suspension that you’ll swallow. (A suspension is a type of liquid mixture.) Interactions of sucralfate may vary depending on the form of sucralfate you’re prescribed.

Other drugs and sucralfate

The drugs in the list below may interact with sucralfate oral tablet. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with sucralfate.

Drug classes or drugs that may interact with sucralfate oral tablet include:

  • antacids:
    • drug examples: Tums, Mylanta
    • what might happen: taking antacids within 30 minutes of taking sucralfate can make sucralfate less effective
  • bisphosphonates:
    • drug examples: alendronate (Fosamax), risedronate (Actonel)
    • what might happen: taking sucralfate within 30 minutes of taking bisphosphonates can make bisphosphonates less effective
  • certain HIV drugs:
    • drug examples: dolutegravir (Tivicay), raltegravir (Isentress)
    • what might happen: taking certain HIV drugs within 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking sucralfate can make these HIV drugs less effective
  • certain quinolone antibiotics:
    • drug examples: ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin
    • what might happen: taking certain quinolone antibiotics within 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking sucralfate can make these antibiotics less effective
  • tetracycline antibiotics:
    • drug examples: tetracycline, doxycycline (Monodox, Vibramycin)
    • what might happen: taking tetracycline antibiotics within 2 hours of taking sucralfate can make these antibiotics less effective
  • proton pump inhibitors:
    • omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium)
    • what might happen: taking a proton pump inhibitor within 30 minutes of taking sucralfate can make the proton pump inhibitor less effective
  • digoxin (Lanoxin):
    • what might happen: taking digoxin within 2 hours of taking sucralfate can make digoxin less effective
  • furosemide (Lasix):
    • what might happen: taking furosemide within 2 hours of taking sucralfate can make furosemide less effective
  • levothyroxine (Euthyrox, Tirosint):
    • what might happen: taking levothyroxine within 4 hours of taking sucralfate can make levothyroxine less effective
  • phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek):
    • what might happen: taking phenytoin within 2 hours of taking sucralfate can make phenytoin less effective
  • theophylline (Theochron, Theo-24)
    • what might happen: taking theophylline within 2 hours of taking sucralfate can make theophylline less effective

Other interactions and sucralfate

Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether sucralfate oral tablet has these interactions.

The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with sucralfate.

Sucralfate and supplements

Before taking sucralfate oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid possible interactions.

If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Sucralfate interactions with herbs

Sucralfate oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any herbs. But this doesn’t mean interactions with herbs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking sucralfate oral tablet.

Sucralfate interactions with vitamins

Sucralfate oral tablet may interact with multivitamins and vitamin D (cholecalciferol). Taking sucralfate with multivitamins or cholecalciferol may lead to increased levels of aluminum in your body.

Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking sucralfate oral tablet.

Sucralfate and food

It’s important that you take sucralfate oral tablet on an empty stomach. If you take sucralfate with food or too soon after eating, this can make sucralfate less effective.

If you take sucralfate with milk, this also may make sucralfate less effective for treating your condition.

The following information summarizes when to take sucralfate around food and milk:

  • Do not take your dose with food or milk.
  • If you already ate or drank milk: Wait 2 hours, then take your dose.
  • If you already took your dose: Wait 1 hour before eating or drinking milk.

Certain foods may worsen the symptoms of a duodenal ulcer, which sucralfate is used to treat. Because of this, ask your doctor what foods to avoid while taking sucralfate oral tablet for a duodenal ulcer.

Sucralfate and vaccines

Sucralfate oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking sucralfate oral tablet.

Sucralfate and lab tests

Sucralfate oral tablet isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking sucralfate oral tablet.

Sucralfate and cannabis or CBD

Sucralfate oral tablet isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with sucralfate.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

When to avoid sucralfate

Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with sucralfate oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe sucralfate in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.

The sucralfate contraindication is:

  • Past allergic reaction to sucralfate. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to sucralfate oral tablet or any of its ingredients, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction.

Before you start taking sucralfate, tell your doctor if this contraindication above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take sucralfate.

Questions about sucralfate and interactions

Here you’ll find answers to some common questions about sucralfate and possible interactions.

Can I take sucralfate and pantoprazole together?

Doctors sometimes prescribe sucralfate along with pantoprazole (Protonix) to treat duodenal ulcers.

Sucralfate isn’t known to interact with pantoprazole. But sucralfate may interact with other drugs from the same group as pantoprazole (proton pump inhibitors). For example, taking sucralfate at the same time as omeprazole (Prilosec) could make omeprazole less effective.

Because of this, your doctor may recommend taking pantoprazole at least 30 minutes before taking sucralfate. This may help avoid any possible interaction.

If your doctor prescribes both drugs, talk with them about how to take sucralfate and pantoprazole together.

Can I take probiotics with sucralfate?

Yes, usually you can take probiotics with sucralfate. Probiotics are used to help improve digestive health.

Probiotics aren’t known to interact with sucralfate. But to avoid any possible interaction, it’s best to take probiotics and sucralfate at different times of the day. Sucralfate works most effectively when it’s taken on an empty stomach. See the “Sucralfate and food” section above for more information on this.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for guidance on taking probiotics with sucralfate.

Alcohol and sucralfate

Sucralfate oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol. But drinking alcohol could worsen the symptoms of duodenal ulcers, which sucralfate is used to treat.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while taking sucralfate oral tablet.

Health factors and sucralfate

Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with sucralfate oral tablet. Before taking sucralfate, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether sucralfate is right for you.

These health conditions or other factors might interact with sucralfate oral tablet:

  • kidney problems
  • difficulty swallowing
  • conditions affecting your cough or gag reflex
  • slow stomach emptying, which is called gastroparesis
  • pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • past allergic reaction to sucralfate*

* This is a sucralfate contraindication. To read more about this, see the section above called “When to avoid sucralfate.“

Preventing sucralfate interactions

You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with sucralfate oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.

Things to consider include:

  • Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
  • What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking sucralfate oral tablet.

Taking sucralfate exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.

What to ask your doctor

If you have questions about sucralfate and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.

Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:

  • When should I take my other medications in relation to sucralfate?
  • Do other drugs that could treat my condition have similar interactions?
  • If I take sucralfate with other medications, will my condition need to be monitored more closely?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

This post was last modified on November 27, 2024 12:51 pm