Generic Name: Carafate (sucralfate)
Carafate Reviews
For GERD "This medicine has given me the blues. I'm sleepy, dizzy, my vertigo is slightly active, I'm having heart palpitations in my sleep and anxiety throughout the day. I already suffered from anxiety but the fact that the meds cause you to have insomnia, that's not good for me. Needless to say, I'm not taking any more pills because every time I do, I feel terrible. I just want this out of my system!"
For GERD "Three years ago I had my gallbladder removed. That was the start of daily stomach aches, nausea (Bile reflux gastritis). I have a really good gastroenterologist who put me on several meds until we finally settled with sucralfate. I've been on it for 10 months and love it. Yes, there are still some aches but nothing like before. I give it a 10!"
For Stomach Ulcer "This caused extreme anxiety and depression. I had my mental health issues completely controlled over the past several years until I took this medication. I was confused as to how a stomach acid medication would cause me to spiral into that deep, dark place that I crawled out of years ago. The insomnia, shaking (more like a mild whole body tingle or vibration), the suicide idealization. Please, if you have any issues with depression or anxiety, past or present, let your doctor know before taking this medication. It does not affect everyone the same."
For GERD "I had terrible stomach/esophageal and mid-back pain. After an endoscopic procedure, I was found to have GERD, Barrett's esophagus, and a small hiatal hernia. The Carafate & Dexilant worked well to calm down the esophagitis pain/spasms/inflammation. The Barrett's esophagus was detected using pathology, and even though it was a very mild case, it is a serious disease, and I will need an EGD performed yearly. The Dexilant has worked wonders also. The two medicines are working well together. I have not had any side effects from the Carafate. I take 1/2 to 1 tablet, as needed, up to 4 times/day. I chew it up and swallow with a small sip of water or you can dissolve it in water and drink it. Coats the stomach quicker. I have used it for 6 months."
For GERD "GERD, Esophagitis, and a Hiatal Hernia. Take both Cimetidine and Prilosec daily and was still having heartburn. The emergency room gave me Carafate and it's wonderful. Not only does it stop heartburn in its tracks, but it also prevents future bouts of heartburn. There are some rules on taking this medication, and those rules can be a bit of a pain if you are not used to them. You cannot take this medication within a half hour of taking any antacids. You also need to take it one hour before or two hours after eating. Swallowing the Carafate pill can be a little bit intimidating as when you swallow it, you get a choking sensation. Make sure to take it with plenty of ice water. Try to numb your throat with cold water prior to taking."
For GERD "I have taken Carafate, as well as many of my family members. No one has ever had any side effects or bad reactions, even my pregnant sister with severe GERD. I saw on here some people have dizziness and back pain with Carafate. For anyone thinking they might need to take this for their problems, give it a try because everyone reacts differently, and it may help."
For GERD "I am only 18 years old. Unfortunately, I had to get my gallbladder out in January of 2018. I had to put school on pause because after surgery, the nausea got even worse. I’ve been living off of Zofran and Promethazine for 5 months now, every day, sometimes twice a day. I have a huge fear of vomiting and will avoid it at all costs. I was finally referred to a GI doc and proceeded with an endoscopy. I was told it is very likely I have bile salt gastritis, a complication from gallbladder removal. I was told to start CARAFATE and have had the WORST experience. Not only does it make you feel absolutely full, but it had reverse effects on me. It was supposed to bind with the bile found in my stomach and relieve me, but it’s actually making me feel sick. I feel nauseous, I am vomiting, and feel extremely weak while taking this medicine. As an 18-year-old who is paying her own medical bills and working hard, I’m EXTREMELY frustrated and feeling hopeless, and don’t know where to go from here."
For GERD "I had a serious problem with GERD. Chest pain, jaw pain, abdominal pain, and back pain caused from GERD make me feel like I am dying, literally. I've been in the ER well over 4 times for this alone. I've been prescribed everything you can think of. I tried anything I could try to help this problem to no avail. The ONLY thing that helps with the chest pain is milk, but it doesn't stop it completely. It doesn't even touch the abdominal pain at all, though, and it's so excruciating that it is debilitating. I'm 8 months pregnant now and I went into labor and delivery with the worst abdominal pain I've ever felt in my life, prescribed Carafate and works in 20 mins. Miracle drug for me."
For Stomach Ulcer "Absolutely awful! Even the liquid form of this was garbage. It never took the burn away from my gastritis, and like a user said below, it made me feel very, very full. I would drink water and would feel absolutely ridiculously full. I seriously thought I had some other condition. It also made me feel very lightheaded and short of breath. I felt as if my blood pressure dropped. Avoid."
For Stomach Ulcer "For roughly a month, I had horrible stomach pain. I have an umbilical hernia and thought it might be a side effect of that, but after laying in bed for the better part of 2 weeks with pain I wouldn't wish on anyone, my husband demanded I go to the ER. After reviewing my CT scan, my family doctor thinks it's an ulcer, although I have not had the camera run down there yet to find out for sure. The ER gave me a Carafe script, and I would say within a couple of days, I was a new person. This drug, along with Pantoprazole, has all but eliminated my pain, heartburn, and reflux!"
For GERD "I had extreme pain from the back right side under my rib cage for 2 days that then started making its way to the front. I finally went to the hospital. I've had pancreatitis several times! It was feeling the same. They sent me home with this medication and I feel fine 2 days later. No bad side effects."
For GERD "I was put on the brand name of Carafate liquid for mainly GERD. This drug works better than the Prevacid I was taking two times a day. I only take the Prevacid once a day now because the Carafate works so well for me. It can be hard to schedule because I have to take both an iron supplement and Vitamin D. But I finally found the best time to fit those in. My question is... starting this month, my insurance company will no longer pay for the brand name. I tried the generic liquid about a year ago, and it had a banana taste to it. All my life, I have been unable to even smell bananas without getting nauseated, or when I was a kid, just the smell and taste made me throw up. The pharmacy tried adding flavors to it... it just tastes like grapes and bananas, lol. But this year, Carafate is not even on the prior approval list. There is no way I can pay for this without insurance. I don't know what to do... has anyone ever switched from the liquid to the pill form and had the same results as the brand name liquid?"
For Stomach Ulcer "Carafate Suspension was prescribed by my doctor because of stomach problems caused by taking pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs for knee injury. Already taking Omeprazole but it was not doing the trick. The Carafate worked great. Really calmed down the acid reflux."
For GERD "I can almost eat/drink normally now that I'm on Carafate Suspension 4x per day. I only have a flare-up 1-2x per month now, mainly when I've been eating poorly or have come into contact with bacteria, etc. I take it in conjunction with Nexium & Librax because I have acid reflux, bile reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, and GERD."
For Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis "I was in much discomfort, pain, burning. Felt like I had something caught in my throat. These symptoms all came back just after an endoscope. We called the doctor and he prescribed Carafate Suspension. The 'fire' was put out immediately. It was so good to feel 'normal' again."
For GERD "I take the liquid form of this medicine 10 mL 4 times a day. It helps with GERD and gastroparesis. I started out with the pill version, but I kept having trouble swallowing them and they got stuck in my throat, so my doctor was able to get a pre-approval for the liquid Carafate. It works really well, and I like that it coats my stomach with all the digestive problems I have. I haven't had any side effects from it, which I am relieved about."
For Duodenal Ulcer "I had several ulcers, the pain was tremendous. After a week in the hospital, I was given this medication and others. This medication worked miracles. I wasn't told that if I stopped taking it, my ulcer would come back (my ulcers are not from bacteria). They came back, and I began the medication again, and I am fine now. You must take the medication all the time."
For Stomach Ulcer "Found out I have a stomach ulcer and hiatal hernia. Doctor prescribed me Carafate, and it's day two, and I feel like I am feeling worse. My head is pounding, it hurts so bad. My throat feels dry and slightly swollen, and I feel extremely dizzy and weak. I'm hoping this will wear off, and when I get my swallow test done, it will help reduce my anxiety. I just need to feel better. I am scared to go back to work feeling like this."
For Stomach Ulcer "Carafate worked miracles. I wasn't able to eat much while on it, but it did stop the pain from my ulcer. I didn't realize it, but it did make me constipated and I was really gassy, which in turn caused pain, but I would rather have gassy pain than the pain from the ulcer."
For Stomach Ulcer "Carafate worked really well in calming the pain. I didn't have a problem with constipation as I was unable to eat solid food at that point, but after a couple of days of using it, I was actually able to eat for the first time in weeks."
For GERD "I have GERD and have been prescribed Carafate several times. The first time was the liquid, and it seemed to work best. Now I’m on 4 tablets/day and 2 Prilosec. It’s just not working this time. Actually, my stomach hurts worse when I take it. The insomnia is awful. It’s very hard to time my meals and other medicines while taking this too. Almost impossible! Looks like endoscopy is my next step."
For Duodenal Ulcer "First, I must say I started feeling better pretty much right away on this med, and then I almost choked to death! I cut the pill in half, took half, and it was stuck, and I panicked! I ended up getting it down (because I tried to get it back up but didn't work), but I am still left with a horrible taste in my throat 5 hours later. I did call the pharmacy, and they said to dissolve it in a small med cup of water and drink it, thank god because I don't want to be that scared again!"
For Duodenal Ulcer "It takes a long time to be effective. Don't be surprised that it may take 2 bottles (at 30-day supply per bottle) to get results. The condition will slowly improve. It is usually taken 4 times daily. It's easier to take 1 hour before meals than 3 hours after. My schedule is at 6:30 am, 11 am, 4 pm, and before bed. Make sure to have a FULL (8-10 oz.) glass of water. Otherwise, the blue pill will cause the stool to be DARK GREEN."
For GERD "Carafate side effects are constipation, the best thing to do is take a stool softener before the last dose of Carafate in the evening. It works great. I did not read the side effects until the next day and had severe constipation in the morning. I am not a person that gets constipation, but this medication will do it very fast!"
For GERD "After 2 esophagus surgeries using the Nissan method, I am much better. Stress was and is my main problem. Then comes not being able to eat hardly anything. I take prescription Prilosec twice a day, watch my diet... very hard, and exercise, stretch, walk. I was in the ER last night and sent home with Carafate. If anyone has taken potassium pills, they suck big time. I was told to make a slurry. Add it to a small amount of water and take in one swallow. Works like a charm!"
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Related treatment guides
- GERD
- Duodenal Ulcer
- Hyperphosphatemia of Renal Failure
- Duodenal Ulcer Prophylaxis
