Sucralfate

Also indexed as: Antipepsin®, Apo-Sucralfate®, Carafate®, Novo-Sucralate®, Nu-Sucralfate®, Sulcrate®

Sucralfate is used to treat intestinal ulcers, and it is a type of drug known as a polysaccharide antipeptic.

Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, a herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized interactions.

May be Beneficial: Depletion or interference—The medication may deplete or interfere with the absorption or function of the nutrient. Taking these nutrients may help replenish them.	Calcium Phosphorus
Side effect reduction/prevention	None known
Supportive interaction	None known
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability	None known
Adverse interaction	None known

An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Interactions with Dietary Supplements

Calcium
Slight increases in blood calcium levels may occur in people taking sucralfate, which could be aggravated by calcium supplementation.¹ Therefore, people taking calcium supplements and sucralfate should have their blood calcium levels monitored by their doctor and may need to avoid calcium supplementation.

Phosphorus
People taking sucralfate may develop lower than normal blood levels of phosphorus.² A 42-year-old woman who took sucralfate for two weeks experienced bone pain that was caused by low phosphorus levels. The bone pain disappeared after she stopped taking the drug and began supplementing with phosphorus.³ Individuals taking sucralfate should have their blood phosphorus levels monitored regularly by their doctor and may need to take supplemental phosphorus.

References
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1. Vucelic B, Hadzic N, Gragas J, Puretic Z. Changes in serum phosphorus, calcium, and alkaline phosphatase due to sucralfate. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol 1986;24:93–6.

2. Vucelic B, Hadzic N, Gragas J, Puretic Z. Changes in serum phosphorus, calcium, and alkaline phosphatase due to sucralfate. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol 1986;24:93–6.

3. Chines A, Pacifici R. Antacid and sucralfate-induced hypophosphatemic osteomalacia: a case report and review of the literature. Calcif Tissue Int 1990;47:291–5.

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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or chemist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires March 2007.

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Interactions with Dietary Supplements