Sucralfate and Upset Stomach: What Users Say

• Nic...
• July 25, 2020

For GERD "Always dissolve these sucralfate pills in a little cup of water before you take it. Took Sucralfate 1GM, twice a day for 2 months and this is the first pill I have ever taken for GERD and gastritis that actually works! I no longer have DAILY burning in my chest, stomach, back, and mouth. I still have GERD, gastritis, and hiatal hernia symptoms, but not as bad as it was. For months my stomach and chest burned, no matter what I ate or didn't eat, and no matter what time of day it was! It was so bad I even went to the E.R., convinced I was having a heart attack... It was hell! I tried Famotidine and it didn't relieve or help my GERD, and Omeprazole gave me a bunch of nasty side effects, including some of the worst stomach cramps and diarrhea I've ever had! This pill did give me pain in my legs and arms and even stomach aches on occasion, but it actually works, so the good outweighed the bad. Highly recommend it!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2020

For Stomach Ulcer "Like another reviewer, this was given to me as a 'Band-aid' to postpone a badly needed endoscopy, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 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 30 minutes. :("

• 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."

• the...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2019

For Stomach Ulcer "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 4 times a day and couldn’t eat for 2-3 hours before and 1 hour after. I’ve recently started taking the pill form 2 times 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."

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2020

For GERD "So. I just started sucralfate yesterday. I noticed stomach upset, butterfly feeling. Today I was okay, dissolved the pill in 3 oz of water, and drank 3 more ounces of water. I noticed a lump feeling in my throat, with every dose, the lump increased and slight swelling alongside my throat. I keep getting heartburn from it as well. I now have the lump in my throat, dry throat as well. I thought this drug would clear up reflux, GERD, ulcer. So, I have exhausted my medicines, so I am told, and do not know what to do."

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

Sucralfate 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2022

For Duodenal Ulcer "Husband experiencing terrible pain when taking small amounts of sucralfate. Thought it was to help, not make him feel even worse. Was in hospital several times since April, rehab center who over-drugged him, and stomach issues up the kazoo since coming home. Every time he attempts to eat anything small, he needs to spit up or vomit. What is going on... it’s not helping him and he wants to eat. Has not eaten in nearly two months of anything substantial."

• Can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2021

For GERD "I’ve been taking this since Thursday, but only 2x a day, because 3x is too hard for me. It started with a case of food poisoning and horrid acid reflux that would not go away. That started my anxiety, and I couldn’t do anything. Called my doctor, he gave me this as a preventative since I had been vomiting, and my acid could cause problems, he said. The problem is when I take it in the morning, I end with a huge stomach ache for about an hour. I have regular and loose bowel movements all day. It’s hard to tell what’s anxiety-prone and what’s medicine-prone. I only have to take it for 14 days, but this is not my favorite. It happened to me last time, and I did not have an ulcer that time either, just preventative. But ouch. Sorry for everyone else’s shared experience. Hope everyone found or finds relief."

• Tim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2023

For Stomach Ulcer "I was prescribed 4 tablets a day for a stomach ulcer. The three pills in the day are fine without side effects. The one at bedtime during the night caused sweats, bloating, really reduced urine flow, and an upset stomach. The symptoms have not receded even after 3 weeks of taking them. Urine retention is the worst of all the side effects."