Pricing
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Ulfate is indicated for:
Pharmacology
Sucralfate is considered non-systemic, since only a tiny fraction of the drug is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and that fraction is mostly excreted in the urine. It works by forming a chemical complex that binds to the site of a gastric or duodenal ulcer, creating a protective barrier over it and allowing the ulcer to heal. It also works by blocking the action of pepsin and bile.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer and chronic gastritis. Adults: the usual dose is 2 g of Sucralfate twice daily, taken on rising and at bedtime, or 1 g four times a day, taken 1 hour before meals and at bedtime. The maximum daily dose is 8 g, though treatment for up to twelve weeks may be needed in resistant cases.
Children: the safety and efficacy of Sucralfate in children under 14 years of age have not been established.
Elderly: there are no special dosage requirements for elderly patients, but as with all medicines the lowest effective dose should be used.
Prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding from stress ulceration. Adults: the usual dose is 1 g of Sucralfate, given by mouth or through a nasogastric tube, 4 to 6 times a day. To prevent the nasogastric tube from clogging, flush it with 10 ml of water after each dose. The length of preventive treatment must be decided for each patient. Treatment should continue for as long as one or more risk factors for stress ulceration remain, but normally for no more than 14 days.
Sucralfate should be taken on an empty stomach. Antacids should not be given within 30 minutes of a Sucralfate dose.
Side Effects
The most common side effect reported was headache (3.4%), followed by nausea (2.3%), abdominal pain (2.3%), constipation (1.1%), diarrhoea (1.1%), and urticaria (hives) (1.1%). Most patients who developed bezoars either had an underlying medical condition that can predispose to bezoar formation (such as delayed gastric emptying) or were receiving enteral tube feeding at the same time. Episodes of hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) have been reported in diabetic patients.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Ralfate should be used with caution in patients with reduced kidney function, because more aluminium may be absorbed. Ralfate is not recommended for people on dialysis. In patients with severe or long-standing kidney impairment, Ralfate should be used with extreme caution and only for short-term treatment. Small amounts of aluminium are absorbed through the digestive tract, and aluminium may build up in the body. Aluminium-related bone disease (osteodystrophy and osteomalacia), brain disorder (encephalopathy) and anaemia have been reported in patients with chronic kidney impairment. For patients with reduced kidney function, periodic laboratory tests, including aluminium, phosphate, calcium and alkaline phosphatase, are recommended because aluminium is not cleared properly. Taking other aluminium-containing medicines at the same time is not recommended, as this increases the potential for aluminium absorption and toxicity. Bezoars (hardened masses in the stomach) have been reported after Ralfate was given, mainly to severely ill patients in intensive care units. Most of these patients (including newborns, in whom Ralfate is not recommended) had underlying conditions that may make bezoar formation more likely, such as delayed stomach emptying caused by surgery, drug therapy or diseases that slow gut movement, or were also receiving feeding through an enteral tube.
Contraindications
Sucralfate tablets and suspension should not be used in patients who are hypersensitive to sucralfate.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Safety in pregnant women hasn't been established, so Sucralfate should only be used during pregnancy if it's clearly needed. It's also not known whether this medicine passes into human breast milk, so breastfeeding mothers should use it with caution.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Use in Special Populations
Pediatric population
Sucralfate is not recommended for children under 14 years of age, because there isn't enough data on its safety and efficacy.
In elderly patients
Dose adjustments are not necessary.
Renal impairment
Sucralfate should be used with caution in patients with renal insufficiency.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Patients should not drive if they feel dizzy or drowsy.
Overdose
In a clinical trial where healthy men were given an overdose of Sucralfate, most of them had no symptoms at all. A few did report abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. In animal studies on acute oral toxicity, doses up to 12 gm/kg body weight did not reach a lethal dose. So the risks from a Sucralfate overdose should be minimal.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Storage
Keep Sucralfate in a cool, dry place and away from light.
Drug Interactions
Common questions about Ulfate 1 gm/5 ml
What is Ulfate 1 gm/5 ml Oral Suspension?
Ulfate 1 gm/5 ml Oral Suspension is a medicine that contains Sucralfate. It is made by Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd. It belongs to the Chelating complex group of medicines.
What is Ulfate used for?
Ulfate is used for: Peptic Ulcer.
What are the side effects of Ulfate?
The most common side effect reported was headache (3.4%), followed by nausea (2.3%), abdominal pain (2.3%), constipation (1.1%), diarrhoea (1.1%), and urticaria (hives) (1.1%). Most patients who developed bezoars either had an underlying medical condition that can predispose to bezoar formation (such as delayed gastric emptying) or were receiving enteral tube feeding at the same time.
Can I take Ulfate during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Safety in pregnant women hasn't been established, so Sucralfate should only be used during pregnancy if it's clearly needed. It's also not known whether this medicine passes into human breast milk, so breastfeeding mothers should use it with caution. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What happens if I take too much Ulfate?
In a clinical trial where healthy men were given an overdose of Sucralfate, most of them had no symptoms at all. A few did report abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How should I store Ulfate?
Keep Sucralfate in a cool, dry place and away from light.
Can I take other medicines with Ulfate?
Some medicines can interact with Sucralfate, for example: Ciprofloxacin, Sparfloxacin, Naproxen Sodium, Furosemide + Spironolactone, Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride, Lansoprazole. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine you take.
Do I need a prescription for Ulfate?
Ulfate is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.