Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Sulcrate
What is SULCRATE / SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS used for?
SULCRATE Tablets are used to:
- treat duodenal ulcers. These are open sores that form in part of the small intestine called the duodenum. The duodenum is where food goes after it leaves the stomach.
- treat non-cancerous stomach ulcers. These are open sores that form in the stomach lining but are not caused by cancer.
- prevent duodenal ulcers from coming back after previous treatment.
SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS is used to:
- treat duodenal ulcers.
- prevent bleeding in the digestive system due to stress ulcers in very sick patients.
How does SULCRATE / SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS work?
SULCRATE / SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS contains sucralfate, which works to create a protective barrier around the ulcer. In the body, sucralfate forms a gel that sticks to the ulcer’s surface. This barrier protects the ulcer from stomach acids and helps it heal.
What are the ingredients in SULCRATE / SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS?
Medicinal ingredients: Sucralfate
SULCRATE Tablets non-medicinal ingredients: Calcium carboxy-methylcellulose, hydrogenated vegetable oil, magnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose
SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS non-medicinal ingredients: Butterscotch artificial flavour, glycerine, sodium methylparaben, sodium phosphate monobasic, sodium propylparaben and xanthan gum
SULCRATE / SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS comes in the following dosage forms:
Tablets: 1 gram (g)
Oral Suspension: 1 g/5 mL
Do not use SULCRATE / SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS if:
- you are allergic to sucralfate.
- you are allergic to any ingredient in SULCRATE / SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take SULCRATE / SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have any conditions that make it difficult to swallow.
- have diabetes. Sugars in SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS may cause high blood sugar in people with diabetes.
- have chronic kidney failure or receive dialysis. Patients with chronic kidney failure or those receiving dialysis may not be able to get rid of the aluminum in SULCRATE / SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS. This can lead to a buildup of aluminum in the body, which can cause confusion, muscle weakness, seizures, and other symptoms.
are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if SULCRATE / SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS passes in breastmilk.
Other warnings you should know about:
- SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS must not be given intravenously (placed directly into a vein, also called IV). If SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS is injected into a vein by mistake, it can cause serious issues such as blood clots in the heart and brain, which can cause death. Other serious issues have been seen in patients after an accidental injection into a vein.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with SULCRATE / SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS:
- some medicines used to treat heartburn and indigestion called antacids.
- a medicine used to prevent seizures or to treat epilepsy called phenytoin.
- a medicine that thins blood called warfarin.
- a medicine used to treat heart conditions called digoxin.
- an antibiotic medicine used to treat bacteria infections called tetracycline.
- some fluoroquinolone antibiotics used to treat bacteria infections like ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin.
- some medicines used to reduce pain called naproxen, indomethacin or ketoprofen
How to take SULCRATE / SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS
SULCRATE Tablets:
take on an empty stomach.
- take SULCRATE Tablets for as long as your healthcare professional tells you to take them.
SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS:
- take on an empty stomach,
- take orally (by mouth) or via nasogastric tube for the prevention of bleeding in the digestive system.
- take SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS for as long as your healthcare professional tells you to take them.
Usual dose:
SULCRATE Tablets:
Duodenal ulcer:
- One 1 g tablet, four times a day, one hour before meals and one at bedtime or
- Two 1 g tablets, twice daily, when waking up and at bedtime.
Non-cancerous stomach ulcer:
- One 1 g tablet, four times a day, one hour before meals and one at bedtime.
Prevent duodenal ulcers from coming back:
- One 1 g tablet, twice daily, when waking up and at bedtime.
SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS:
Duodenal ulcer:
- 2 g (2 teaspoons or 10 mL), twice a day, when waking up and at bedtime.
Prevent bleeding in the digestive system:
- 1 g (1 teaspoon or 5 mL) by mouth or through nasogastric (NG) tube every 4 to 6 hours
- 1 g (1 teaspoon or 5 mL) through a thin tube placed through the nose and into the stomach (called a nasogastric or NG tube) every 4 to 6 hours
Overdose:
An overdose is when you take more medicine than what has been prescribed by your doctor. If you have an overdose of SULCRATE / SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS, you may have constipation.
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much SULCRATE / SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
|---|
Missed Dose:
If you forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, just wait and take that dose at its regular time. Never take two doses of the medicine at once.
What are possible side effects from using SULCRATE / SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking SULCRATE / SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
SULCRATE Tablets:
- Back pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Indigestion (pain, gas, burning feeling, or discomfort after eating)
- Nausea
- Sleepiness
- Stomach pain
- Vertigo (feeling that you or the room you are in is spinning)
SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Urticaria
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| RARE | |||
| Allergic reaction: trouble breathing, chest tightness, hearing a whistling sound while breathing, itching, rash, hives, swelling around the face, mouth, throat, lips, or eyes | ✓ | ||
| Hyperglycemia: (high blood sugar): increased thirst, frequent urination, dry skin, headache, blurred vision and fatigue. (This is related to SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS only) | ✓ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Store between 15 and 30°C. Protect SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS from freezing.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about SULCRATE / SULCRATE SUSPENSION PLUS:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html; the manufacturer’s website www.abbvie.ca, or by calling 1-888-704-8271.
Last Revised JUL 17, 2024
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SULCRATE and its design are trademarks of Aptalis Pharma Canada ULC, an AbbVie company, used under license by AbbVie Corporation.