Carafate and Constipation: What Users Say

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2013

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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2013

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."

• Car...
• November 15, 2020

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!"

• Mis...
• December 14, 2010

For Duodenal Ulcer "I have both an ulcer in my stomach as well as duodenitis (two ulcers in the upper part of my small intestine) -- this was all discovered during my endoscopy. I was given this medication and am still on it... immediately I had dry mouth, mild headaches, and that dizzy/vertigo feeling which I just thought were my sinuses acting up until I looked up the side effects. It's changed my bowel motions for sure, more towards constipation which then causes an upset stomach for me, mainly in the morning."

• tam...
• March 20, 2012

For Duodenal Ulcer "I have been on Carafate for almost 6 weeks for an ulcer. It has not helped me at all. I still have the extreme abdominal pain all night long. I was checked for H. pylori and it was negative. I had all kinds of ultrasounds done and they all came back fine. I was also given Dexilant to take. I take the Carafate 4 times a day and no luck for me. I am seeing another doctor today. It just is not working for me. And as others said, it does make you constipated for sure. I wish it worked for me like some of the others, but it is not."

• wnb...
• April 5, 2010

For Stomach Ulcer "This is a great medication for ulcer pain. But there is one major side effect that is intolerable, constipation. After using it for two days, my stool was so hard that it took 2 Fleet water enemas and a mineral oil enema just to get the stool down."

• ouc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2022

For Stomach Ulcer "Doctor prescribed Carafate. 4 x a day. Works well if I take it at night and in the morning, but if I take the two day doses, I spend the day in bed. Nauseous, and it destroys my appetite. Seems to make the burning stomach worse. Suffering with gastritis for 6 months now. Can’t find relief. Also on Protonix and Tagamet. Bland diet when I can eat. Just seeking relief. It has made me really constipated as well. Will continue with the two doses, but can’t handle all 4."

• Gin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2025

For Duodenal Ulcer "I have a lot going on. I have GERD, IBS, stomach ulcers, hiatal hernia. I had an upper GI, and the doctor put me on Carafate. At first, I’ll be honest, it took me over a year to go forward with taking this medication, and I’ll tell you right now it’s a miracle drug! The fact that it makes you constipated is a plus for me, my diarrhea was insane since my gallbladder surgery, and because I’m on this medication, I have no diarrhea. It’s been 3 weeks! So it’s helping me in all areas of my issues. I don’t get any side effects as of yet, and hopefully, I will not!"

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2023

For GERD "I do not recommend it. It caused extreme constipation and bloating for me and provided little to no relief for epigastric burning compared to liquid antacids. It is expensive in liquid form."