Carafate, medical name for which is Sucralfate, is an effective and safe gastrointestinal medication, used to treat duodenal ulcer by blocking the hydrochloric acid access to the damaged surface of the gastrointestinal tract. The dose of active substance, sucralfate, is set on level of 1g per an oral tablet of Carafate, and therefore this medication is known in US as Carafate 1.
Carafate 1:
Carafate 1g overview
Mechanism of action
Carafate 1 interacts with hydrochloric acid in the gastrointestinal tract, turning into a viscous material, which acts like a paste, attaching to the protein of the ulcer and covering it completely with a protective layer, which prevents the further damage of the unprotected surface in stomach from acid. Its action lasts nearly 6 hours per dose. More than just covering ulcer with a protective membrane, Carafate stimulates the growth of the epidermis. It makes ulcers’ surface decrease. As well, Carafate is proved to absorb several acids, forming in the gastrointestinal tract.
You have to know, that mechanism of action of Carafate 1 is based on protection of gastrointestinal tract, but it can’t be used to reduce the oversecretion of hydrochloric acid. That’s why Carafate is only prescribed to treat duodenal ulcers, but not to treat gastric ulcers, which are usually caused by usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
How to use Carafate 1?
Carafate 1 needs some time to form into a protective layer inside of your stomach, and therefore, it has to be taken an hour before the meal. It works for approximately 6 hours, thus usually 4 doses of Carafate 1 gram a day are required. If you’re not fighting the duodenal ulcer, but trying to prevent it, then only 2 doses per day are necessary.
Notice, that usually Carafate is taken in combination with other drugs, which helps to increase their positive effect and significantly increase the quality of life of those patients, who suffer from duodenal ulcer. Those additional drugs are Lansoprasole and Cisapride.
Sometimes ulcers can be caused by radiation or chemotherapy. Aphthous ulcer, caused by those reasons, should be treated by Carafate suspension, in dosage of 5-10 ml, twice a day.
Side-effects and contraindications
Before you buy Carafate 1, you should consult your doctor in any case. It’s important to mention kidney and stomach diseases, if you have a history of any of those. It’s also required to find out if you can be allergic to Carafate, which has several inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions in certain cases. As usually, tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, when you consult him regarding the taking of the drug. It’s also not recommended to buy Carafate 1 g if you have any kind of problems with digestion and defecation, except, of course, duodenal ulcer.
Side effects of Carafate conventionally include allergic reactions, which are usually caused by the inactive ingredients of the drug. As well, patients who take Carafate often suffer from constipation and bezoars. Nearly 2% of patients, treated with Carafate, have reported those problems. Other side effects are extremely rare and usually develop in those patients, who were not taking the drug properly. Combination with drugs that contain aluminum is not recommended due to abnormal rise of aluminum level in the organism.
