Sucralfate and Headaches: What Users Say

• Amb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2019

Sucralfate 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."

• Mis...
• December 14, 2010

Sucralfate 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."

• Ric...
• October 13, 2019

For Stomach Ulcer "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 seemed to get worse. Also, I noticed back/upper torso pain. It was like a tightness burning sensation. I was also very gassy. Burping/Vomiting (vomiting a little bit while burping) was common. I seriously considered going to the ER. Maybe it’s the drug... maybe it’s me?"

• Bel...
• November 3, 2017

Sucralfate for Stomach Ulcer "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 makes things even worse. 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 1 mg, 4 times a day. Took my first dose at 11 pm, fell asleep around 12:30 am. Woke up at 2 am feeling really nauseous, back pain, really bad tummy ache, headache, and this went on for like 4 more hours, and to make things worse, 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."

• Hpy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2016

For Stomach Ulcer "Had H. pylori. Caused a 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. The only side effects I have noted are a very occasional dizzy feeling that is short-lived, occasional headaches, and constipation only about three times in the last several weeks. I do eat high fiber and try to get several fruits and veggies a day, as well as I have increased my water intake. The schedule of 4x a day - 2-3 hours after a meal and 1 hour before a meal has taken some getting used to, but it is totally worth it. I hope to be able to stop soon."

• Ulc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2020

For Stomach Ulcer "I took sucralfate for my stomach ulcer for about a week. Had slight insomnia, headaches, and nausea. But it really helped with the burning pain from the ulcer. I could eat, so I was happy. But then, all of a sudden, I started getting crazy back pain. An intense burning and tight feeling in my chest and back whenever I would try and bend forward, move my neck, or even take a breath. Love the instant ulcer relief. Hate the side effects!"

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 12, 2022

For Stomach Ulcer "I have been on Carafate for over a year. My health has steadily gone downhill. I didn't think to look up the side effects. I used to never get headaches. I keep one now. Suffering from severe itching, lower back pain, shortness of breath, awful sweats, tightness of chest. Just feel awful! Didn't take any today, but read that it takes 4 days to get out of your system."

• Bee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2018

For Stomatitis "Started taking Carafate three days ago for gastritis. Been having headaches, backaches, allergy eyes itching, and ears and throat itching. Today, after the second dose, I experienced acid reflux that left my throat and tongue raw. Not sure what to do here."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2023

For Stomach Ulcer "I have been experiencing a dull, burning pain in my left abdomen. My doctor suspects that I may have an ulcer and prescribed medication until I can have an endoscopy. I have only taken the medication for two days so far, four times a day, three times before meals, and once before bed. The first two pills of the day gave me a slight headache and made me feel a little off-balance. The third pill caused a pounding headache, dizziness, heart racing, and more balance issues. The fourth pill, taken before bed, made me extremely anxious, my heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest, and I was unable to sleep. I even thought I was having a heart attack and considered going to the ER. Today, I am experiencing the same side effects. After taking the third pill, it feels as though I drank a bottle of Nyquil and four Red Bulls. Since it's a Saturday, I will have to wait until Monday to contact my doctor. I am hoping there is something better that I can take. On the upside, I was too preoccupied with my symptoms to think about the stomach pain."

• sto...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2022

For Stomach Ulcer "Given to me for what they guessed was an ulcer at the ER. Horrid headaches, makes my stomach hurt, leaves me nauseous for days after 1 dose (couldn't ever take it 4x a day as written), constipation, increased hunger, and urgency in urination increasing. I never had a test to confirm an ulcer. This med is awful for me."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2021

For GERD "Just started this Rx in tablet form. I have GERD and the doctor thinks I may also have an ulcer. I’m waiting for a GI appointment. Prescribed at 4x a day, I’ve been able to take it 2x a day: bedtime and early morning. I set my alarm an hour before I’m to be up, take my pill, and go back to sleep. This “2x a day” schedule seems to be working. Coughing starts 30 minutes after taking, followed by a headache on top of my head and slight nausea. It will finally pass. Overall, though, I just don’t feel very good. After reading the reviews, I’m going to try crushing and taking it that way. Maybe I won’t end up coughing. The good side is-this stuff works! Zero pain, zero heartburn. Thank God! I’ve been on Nexium for years, insurance won’t pay for any PPI anymore, pharmacy won’t let me pay out of pocket. (It’s the law, I’m told.) I’ve tried other over-the-counter PPIs to no avail and eat Tums like candy. I don’t take any other medications-thankfully."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2023

For GERD "I have been on sucralfate for two days. The first day was great, the second day I felt mediocre, but at night I had abdominal pains, a dry mouth, and a slight headache. I hope this starts working soon or I will have to stop taking it."

• CMc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2019

Sucralfate for Stomach Ulcer "Got relief from the burning in my stomach. But, horrible headache and insomnia. Couldn’t sleep more than 1 hour. Had to stop by the second day!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2021

Sucralfate for Stomach Ulcer "I've had multiple ulcers, and each time I was prescribed Carafate, it made the pain 10x worse. Really bad nausea and headaches. I still have never found relief from an ulcer."

• Car...
• August 1, 2021

Sucralfate for GERD "Does not help with pain. Terrible headaches."