Sucralfate and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2020

Sucralfate 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!"

• yay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2023

Sucralfate 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."

• Gde...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2020

Sucralfate 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."

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2022

For Stomach Ulcer "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 nauseous and like my insides were 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 it was not for me."

• Oma...
• August 5, 2019

For GERD "This med is impossible to take, especially if you have several other prescriptions since they don’t absorb and work properly when the Carafate coats your stomach. Get up at 8, take my HB and other meds, wait one hour to take the Carafate, take the Carafate at 9, wait two hours, eat breakfast at 11. Can’t fit in lunch and dinner. Insomnia, lightheadedness, and slight nausea the first two weeks, but I continued to take it since many times your body adjusts and side effects pass. Yesterday morning, I took it and within 20 min the dizziness set in, an hour later the room was spinning and I was vomiting and dry heaving the rest of the day. Could not walk or stand up. Husband had to carry me to the bathroom. Worst feeling I’ve EVER had. Still dizzy today but better. No more for me."

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2020

For GERD "I’ve been using sucralfate for about a week now, it has helped majorly with pain in my stomach. I do have the side effects of insomnia (can’t sleep), but anything to make the worst stomach pain in the world go away. I can also finally eat again, and it feels amazing to not throw up all day and wonder if you should go back to the hospital. Also, the horse pills are very easy to take with applesauce, especially cut in half."

• Moo...
• October 7, 2020

For GERD "Just came back from the ER. My old friend GERD is back again. This time around, upper back pain, chest pain over breastbone. CT said fluid in my esophagus... great... I've taken this med several times when I have flare-ups over the years. H2 blockers stop acid, but not the reflux. Proton pump inhibitors give me horrible insomnia. Prilosec is amazing, but can't sleep at all on it. This med is annoying to take because you have to plan out all your meals. I take 1/2 hour before eating 3 times a day and once before bed. Just a side note, this med didn't work when I swallowed it in pill form. It didn't stop the heartburn, but a doctor years ago recommended I crush it and put the powdered pill in water and drink. It has no flavor, so it goes down easy. I'm lazy, so I don't own a mortar and pestle. I literally take a glass or mug and crush the pill on a hard surface. I really recommend this drug. I really don't have any side effects from this drug except maybe a little insomnia. Hard to tell when you're in pain."

• 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!"

• DeM...
• April 8, 2021

For GERD "I have been on Carafate now for eight weeks. I started it because I was having gastritis pains in my abdomen from NSAIDs. It seems to have worked. It does cause me some insomnia, I think, and some itching on my face at night. But it helped the gastritis pains. I’m hoping when I go off of it that it continues because I am also on Pepcid twice a day. That is for laryngeal reflux, which is getting better. Has anyone had an itching experience with Carafate? I would also like to emphasize that I take this pill so easily. I dissolve it in hot water, about 30 mL. I stir it up quickly with a straw and then I suck it down within a second with a straw, which gets up every single bit of the medication, and then I follow it with half a glass of warm water. The straw makes all the difference because you get all the medication. I don’t drink the water with a straw because that can cause gas."

• Bar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2019

For Stomach Ulcer "I recently started taking sucralfate. This pill is not convenient. I take it 4 times a day, and it has to be taken an hour before eating! It is a choking hazard, so I cut it in half. Causes insomnia! Not a fan of this medication."

• 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."

• Can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2020

For Stomach Ulcer "I’ve been on the sucralfate liquid 4 times daily, and within a few days, the stomach pain has cleared. Figuring out a schedule is the hardest, so I do two of my doses at night when I wake up, which I do a lot-definitely some insomnia with this stuff and brutal hot flashes."

• Mab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2021

For GERD "I have been on omeprazole for a while, feels like it’s not very strong. Then my gastro doctor recommended sucralfate. I’m supposed to take it 4 times a day, but there is no way I could take this 4 times a day. I took it once and I felt dizzy, weak, off-balance, my heart rate was up all night, and I had insomnia. The pill is big to swallow, and it makes you feel like something is stuck…. Didn’t care for this. I will stop this pill."

• Fri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2025

For GERD "Have celiac disease. Been suffering upper abdominal pain for years, even on a gluten-free diet. Tried various high fat, low fat, Keto, and other eating plans, nothing really helps. Went to the ER when chest pains started and was diagnosed with esophagitis and GERD, and they sent me home with sucralfate tabs 4 times a day for 30 days. For the first 3 days, it was a miracle drug -- 100% of the abdominal and chest pain was gone. Then side effects set in: general malaise and anhedonia, increased insomnia, burning in stomach is returning, and noticeable fatigue, inability to concentrate. Plus, it is extremely difficult to find a way to take my other meds and eat, since you have to space the sucralfate 1-3 hours before or after. I am having to chart everything I do in order to take it as prescribed. Which is worse -- the stomach pain or all the med side effects and scheduling? I would recommend it maybe for a week if the pain was really bad, but I don't think I can take it longer than that."

• 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!"

• MsB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2020

Sucralfate for Duodenal Ulcer "I was given this medication to take prior to knowing if I had an ulcer and endoscopy. It gave me insomnia after a week of usage. Will not be taking it anymore."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2019

For Duodenal Ulcer "I took sucralfate a few years back for a suspected duodenal ulcer. It was the only thing that seemed to help the pain. However, it also caused insomnia."