Carafate and its Uses
Generic Carafate is a unique oral drug. Chemically, it is a complex of the disaccharide sugar, sucrose, combined with sulfate and aluminum.
Generic Carafate is taken to aid the healing of ulcers in the stomach and upper intestine (duodenum).
|| Top || Working Mechanism of Carafate
Generic Carafate is not absorbed from the gut. Carafate works by binding to the exudate produced from the ulcer site on the lining of the gut, and forming a protective barrier over the ulcer. This protects the ulcer from stomach acid and digestive enzymes, giving it time to it heal.
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Carafate Dose
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of Carafate.
Excess Dose of Carafate
Generic Carafate in excess dose does not show any symptoms.
Conditions for Storage of Carafate
Store Carafate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Potencies of Carafate
Carafate Tablets: Carafate 1 gm
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Food and Drug Interactions with Carafate
Generic Carafate may bind in the gut to other medicines that are taken at the same time. This can reduce the absorption of the other medicines, in particular the following:
- phenytoin
- quinolone type antibiotics, e.g. ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin
- ketoconazole
- thyroxine
- warfarin
- digoxin
- lansoprazole
- amitriptyline
- The dose of these medicines should be separated by two hours from the Carafate dose. Carafate has the potential to reduce the absorption of other medicines as well.
- Carafate should not be taken at the same time as enteral feeds, given by a tube passing from the nose into the stomach (nasogastric tube). Administration of Carafate and these feeds should be separated by 1 hour.
- Antacids should not be taken for half an hour before or after Carafate.
- The use of other medicines containing aluminium, for example some antacids, is not recommended with Carafate, as this may enhance the potential for aluminium absorption and toxicity.
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Contraindications with Carafate
Carafate is contraindicated in known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient and in pregnancy & breast-feeding.
|| Top || Precautions with Carafate
Carafate should be used with caution in
- Decreased kidney function
- Delayed emptying of the stomach contents into the intestine
- People being fed through a tube (enteral feeds)
- Seriously ill patients
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Adverse effects with Carafate
The adverse effects associated with Carafate are
- Headache
- Excess gas in the stomach and intestines (flatulence)
- Formation of an insoluble mass within the gut (bezoar formation)
- Drowsiness
- Balance problems involving the inner ear (vertigo)
- Back pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach discomfort
- Constipation
- Indigestion (dyspepsia)
- Rash
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
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