Skip to main content

Sucralfate for Stomach Ulcer User Reviews

Brand names: Carafate

Sucralfate has an average rating of 5.8 out of 10 from a total of 72 reviews for the treatment of Stomach Ulcer. 39% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 32% reported a negative experience.

Sucralfate rating summary

5.8/10 average rating

72 ratings from 82 user reviews.

Compare all 67 medications used in the treatment of Stomach Ulcer.

10
19%
9
6%
8
14%
7
8%
6
6%
5
11%
4
4%
3
10%
2
6%
1
17%

Reviews for Sucralfate

  • yayteam
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 9, 2023

Carafate (sucralfate) "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."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
31 Report
  • Raphael
  • December 18, 2020

Carafate (sucralfate) "Absolutely awful! Even the liquid form if this was garbage. 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. Seriously thought I had some other condition. It also made me feel very lightheaded and short of breath. Felt as if my blood pressure dropped. Avoid"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
62 Report
  • Ozzys...
  • December 30, 2016

Carafate (sucralfate) "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 e.r. 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 e.r. gave me a Carafe script and I would say within a couple of days I was a new person. This drug along with Pantoprazole have all but eliminated my pain, heartburn and reflux!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
106 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Anonymous
  • October 27, 2008

Carafate (sucralfate) "Carafate Suspension was prescribed by my doctor because of stomach problems caused by taking pain killers and anti-inflamatory drugs for knee injury. Already taking Omeprozole but it was not doing the trick. The carafate worked great. Realy calmed down the acid reflux."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
141 Report
  • ulcer...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 25, 2019

"Works. Dissolve it in about 4oz of water, don't try to swallow it whole if you can't swallow fast because it starts to fall apart very, very quickly. Think of it like an Alka-Seltzer tablet or other similar dissolving-type medicines. I take mine with these little mini-bottled waters. Just plop my doses in, swish the bottles, and chug it. Give that a try if you struggle with swallowing the tablets in time."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
52 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Ambs
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 7, 2019

Carafate (sucralfate) "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."

4 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
55 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 29, 2013

Carafate (sucralfate) "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."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
93 Report
  • Shaunaj
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 10, 2013

Carafate (sucralfate) "Carafate worked miracles. I wasnt 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 then the pain from the ulcer."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
91 Report
  • MaryE...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 24, 2020

"Like another reviewer, this was given to me as a "Band-aid" to postpone a badly needed endoscopy, which was cancelled due to the Covid19 crisis. First, this stuff is a MAJOR CHOKING HAZARD, even if pills are split. The instant they hit moist throat tissue they stick like glue. It is recommended that the tablets be crushed and mixed with water if you have this problem. Second, it must be taken on an empty stomach - no food for at least an hour before and an hour after. The problem with this is my stomach hurts the MOST when it is empty, and adding Sucralfate makes it burn even more. If I need a lot of water to get the sticky thing down, I might belch and then my entire esophagus burns. I count the minutes until the hour is up so I can have a glass of milk, which makes me feel better...for about 30minutes. :("

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
38 Report
  • Bella...
  • November 3, 2017

Carafate (sucralfate) "I suffer from anxiety, and have been having stomach issues for like 8 months. Went to the GI they wanted to perform an endoscopy but I'm 9 weeks pregnant which make things even worst. I have bad upper stomach pain, really bad burning on stomach and chest. I had to come off my antacid because I'm doing a breath test to test for h pylori. So my GI prescribed carafate 1mg. 4x a day, took my first dose at 11pm, fell asleep like around 12:30am. Woke up at 2am feeling really nauseas, back pain, really bad tummy ache, headache, and this went on for like 4 more hours, and to make things worst it got me anxious.. calling my doctor today, not happy with the side effects plus I'm feeling really weak. Don't know if I should keep taking it."

Was this helpful?YesNo
51 Report
  • Songp...
  • May 8, 2021

"I was diagnosed with an ulcer. My pain was so bad I literally could not sleep or eat. 8 trips to the ER and finally this great doctor prescribed Carafate. I take the pills. The size and quick dissolve do make it intimidating to take and the four a day is hard to manage sometimes, however, it stopped my pain. I hope to get off it after my ulcer heals. So, I’m changing up my food and eating smaller meals. I also walk three miles a day and it also helps manage my reflux and anxiety. I feel it’s a great medicine. The first time I was on it I got off in a month. My pain returned, but I was also eating bad food. So with dietary changes I feel this will facilitate permanent healing. I have no side -effects."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
28 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 16, 2020

"I am a week in to Sucralfate, not sure if I feel differently in a good way. I’m still getting bad pains and painful bloating to the point where I feel my stomach is going to burst. Not to mention it’s a huge inconvenience to take 3x a day, 1 hour before eating, I have 3 other meds that I have to take at all different times because of Sucralfate which is super hard because I am not an early bird whatsoever. Every time I take the pill I immediately feel sick to my stomach and it makes me not want to eat, 8/10 times I can’t eat after my first dose. I always feel really awful until over an hour later my body feels fine, yet I don’t see the pill improving my ulcer complications."

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
36 Report
  • Nina
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 1, 2019

"Dr prescribed Sucralfate for my chronic indigestion, stomach pain, ulcer and constant bloating. Yes it a task to manage taking this RX and scheduling intake of your meds but I take my medication either at night or after I wake up. Then wait the hour. Yes the pill is large but it dissolve in water. I'm surprised that no instruction on how to take was given by the pharmacy for some of the people prescribe this med. Yes. Some people may not be able to take this medication but for the most part a larger percent of people can. I feel 100% better taking this med."

Was this helpful?YesNo
37 Report
  • Aqua
  • July 23, 2017

"I took the pill (awful to swallow) form for about 2 1/2 months...(per a pharmacist- I dissolved it in about an ounce of cold water, stir and chug it then drink about 8ounces of cold water.). They dissolve it about ten seconds and have a nasty chalky taste but it has healed my gastritis which was extremely painful. It started helping in about a week but took two months altogether to heal. The side effects were nausea, back and neck pain, constipation.... lost weight because I was so sick before I started taking it. Good luck everyone."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
47 Report
  • Rilie
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 29, 2019

"I’ve been taking this sucralfate pill 4x a day for about a month now for stomach ulcer. It is definitely a choking hazard, especially for someone like me who can’t take pills very well. It get stuck in my throat easily, but the best way to get it down, I find, is if you take a sip of water. Hold it in your mouth and tilt your head back. Put your fingers in so the pill aligns right with your throat hole and let it go. It slides down much easier. I haven’t choked on it once since I started doing it this way. Hope this helps someone :)"

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
36 Report
  • wnbck
  • April 5, 2010

Carafate (sucralfate) "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 enema's and a mineral oil enema just to get the stool down. "

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
80 Report
  • Rich
  • October 13, 2019

"I was prescribed sucralfate due to intolerance to other ulcer medicine. At first it worked wonders. I took it for 1 week before I had to stop. I take Tylenol/Advil round the clock for pain. I would say about day 3 I started to notice a dull headache about an hour after taking. For the next 4 days the headaches seem to get worse. Also I noticed back/upper torso pain. It was like a tightness burning sensation. I was also very gassy. Burping/ Vurping (vomiting a little bit while burping) was common. I seriously considered going to the ER. Maybe it’s the drug.... maybe it’s me?"

6 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
34 Report
  • Meano
  • July 4, 2019

"Been taking sucralfate for 2 days now. 10 out of 10. Taking it for an ulcer/gastritis. When I wake up in morning the pain is going but as soon as an hour passes after taking this I can feel the moment it gets to my problem area. Relief is pretty rapid from there. And I can eat!! Which is awesome. It is a rather large pill but if you can do an ibuprofen 800 then you can do this one. I didn't find it getting stuck or anything like that just take a good gulp of water. Doctor said this makes a barrier between your insides and the things you put in there."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
32 Report
  • Ashwal
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 10, 2022

"The medication was the WORST, The first dose within an hour I felt better, However doses 2-3-4 made me feel much worse. I could not sleep and had bad insomnia and nausea, The following morning I ended up falling asleep for maybe an hour and I woke up in the most unimaginable pain I have ever felt in my life. My stomach was on fire and I felt so sick, I was shaking the pain was so bad. I took one more dose and realized it was the Carafate. I decided to stop it after only a day, the next day I woke up and felt so nauseas and like my insides where on fire, the nausea eventually subsided by the afternoon, I was still able to eat very little. This morning was much better and way less pain. I know others have posted that it was helpful but was not for me."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
18 Report
  • Hpylori...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 7, 2016

"Had Hpylori. Caused very painful ulcer in my upper abdomen. Took 40 mg of omeprazole a day as prescribed by my doc. Still had pain. Within about two days of using carafate I noticed an improvement. Here it is about my 5th week on it and I really feel it has helped me. I am still on omeprazole too. Only side effects I have noted are very occasional dizzy feeling that is short lived, occasional headaches and constipation only a about three times the last several weeks. I do eat high fiber and try to get several fruits and veggies a day as well as I have in increased my water intake. The schedule of 4x a day - 2-3 hrs after a meal and 1 HR before a meal has taken some getting used to BUT it is TOTALLY worth it. I hope to be able to stop soon."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
40 Report
  • Smiley
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 14, 2022

"I think it’s important to share positive experiences rather than just the negative experiences on here. I took a round of prednisone for 3 days that gave me an ulcer. I was in constant pain and constant heartburn and reflux no matter what I ate (even just water). I was on 80 mg of Prilosec which wasn’t working at all. My doctor finally decided to try me on Sucralfate. I read that it can take 2 weeks for it to take full effect. It started to help a little bit almost immediately, but it took about 10 days for it to work entirely. I now have no pain. I cannot be more grateful for this drug. The only small annoyance is how you have to take it 30 minutes after Prilosec and then you can’t eat for an hour after taking the medication. I also experienced no side effects, and I am one of those people who always gets side effects from medication. I think it’s worth a try to at least see if it helps you!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
15 Report
  • Melissa
  • April 29, 2017

"MAJOR CHOKING HAZARD! I've been taking the pill version, instead of the liquid, for a few months. I literally almost died twice from choking on this pill. What they don't tell you is that as soon as you put the pill in your mouth, and it hits moisture, it swells. Put it in water and watch. Because there's no coating, it's hard to get down. This leads to choking until it starts to dissolve. DO NOT take this while you're alone! Other than that, it works well, lol. Dissolve it in a cup of warm water then chug it. I wouldn't split it in half because it's more likely to get stuck because of the sharp corners."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
35 Report
  • theoa...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 4, 2019

"I am a 19 year old and I have had an ulcer since May of 2018. I took sucralfate off and on for probably about 5 months now. I took the liquid for about 2 months. For me, I had a lot of issues with the liquid. I couldn’t handle the taste and the powder feeling of it. I also barely had time to eat considering I had to take it 4x a day and couldn’t eat for 2-3 hours before and 1 hour after. I’ve recently started taking the pill form 2x a day and it’s helping a little more. I have had an upset stomach all the time while taking both medications but with the liquid form I felt dizzy way more often. So far with the pill form, I have had more of an appetite and I have been eating bigger portions. I’m really hoping this pill form helps more with my stomach pain from my ulcer. Personally, I would go with the pill form rather than the liquid."

7 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
28 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 4, 2014

"I tore ligaments in my ankle and was taking Motrin for about 6 weeks, I developed ulcers in my stomach. I couldn't eat and was severely nauseated for days. After a 10lb weight loss I decided to go to the ER. Carafate was prescribed and after the 3rd dose I felt so much better. I get a really dry mouth because of the Carafate, no constipation though."

Was this helpful?YesNo
44 Report
  • Oltim
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 25, 2018

Carafate (sucralfate) "Sucralfate was prescribed for my stomach ulcer! I took it (1 go) 4 times a day! First pill taken almost chocked me to death! You should split the pill and in a small cup add a small amount of warm water, dissolve the pill, add a small amount more of water and swallow it. I doesn’t taste bad! After 4 treatments, during the night my lower back pain and thigh muscles were excruciating!"

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
29 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

Learn more about Stomach Ulcer

Medicine.com guides (external)