Note: This document contains side effect information about sucralfate. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Carafate.
Applies to sucralfate: oral suspension, oral tablet.
Serious side effects of Carafate
Along with its needed effects, sucralfate (the active ingredient contained in Carafate) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking sucralfate:
Incidence not known
- Blue lips and fingernails
- blurred vision
- chest pain
- cough
- coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
- difficult, fast, noisy breathing
- difficulty in swallowing
- dry mouth
- feeling of fullness
- flushed, dry skin
- fruit-like breath odor
- hoarseness
- increased hunger
- increased sweating
- increased thirst
- increased urination
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- pale skin
- slow or irregular breathing
- stomach pain
- sweating
- swelling of the face, mouth, lips, or throat
- swelling of the legs and ankles
- tightness in the chest
- troubled breathing
- unexplained weight loss
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
Other side effects of Carafate
Some side effects of sucralfate may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Constipation
Rare
- Back ache
- bloated
- constipation
- diarrhea
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
- feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- headache
- hives, itching, skin rash
- indigestion
- passing gas
- sensation of spinning
- sleepiness
- stomach cramps
- trouble sleeping
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to sucralfate: compounding powder, oral suspension, oral tablet.
General
The most commonly reported side effect was constipation.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Constipation
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dry mouth, nausea
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Bezoar formation
Frequency not reported: Diarrhea, flatulence, gastric discomfort, indigestion, vomiting
Postmarketing reports: Lip swelling, mouth edema[Ref]
Bezoars were reported in patients with enteral feedings, delayed gastric emptying, and/or low birthweight neonates.[Ref]
Nervous system
Common (1% to 10%): Headache
Frequency not reported: Dizziness, drowsiness/sleepiness, encephalopathy, vertigo
Postmarketing reports: Cerebral emboli[Ref]
Encephalopathy occurred in patients with chronic renal impairment and/or on long-term treatment.
Cerebral emboli occurred in patients receiving IV administration.[Ref]
Dermatologic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Rash
Frequency not reported: Pruritus
Postmarketing reports: Face edema[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Osteodystrophy and osteomalacia occurred in patients with chronic renal impairment and/or on long-term treatment.[Ref]
Frequency not reported: Back pain, osteodystrophy, osteomalacia[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reaction, hypersensitivity reactions[Ref]
Respiratory
Frequency not reported: Dyspnea
Postmarketing reports: Bronchospasm, laryngeal edema, pharyngeal edema, pulmonary emboli, respiratory tract edema[Ref]
Pulmonary edema occurred after IV administration.[Ref]
Other
Frequency not reported: Thirst
Postmarketing reports: Face edema[Ref]
Hematologic
Frequency not reported: Anemia[Ref]
Anemia occurred in patients with chronic renal impairment and/or on long-term treatment.[Ref]
Psychiatric
Frequency not reported: Insomnia[Ref]
Metabolic
Frequency not reported: Hyperglycemia[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Frequency not reported: Edema[Ref]
