Sucralfate

What is this medication for?

• Oral/esophageal/gastric/duodenal ulcers, adjunct for NSAID-associated stomach/intestinal injury

How is it given?

Give exactly as your veterinarian prescribed — never change the dose or stop on your own unless your veterinarian has told you to.

• Intact tablets may pass through the stomach/intestinal tract without dissolving — always crush and suspend before dosing, don't give whole tablets.
• Give on an empty stomach (1h before or 2h after feeding) and separate from other oral medications by ≥2 hours — it will bind and reduce absorption of many co-administered drugs.

What if I miss a dose?

• Give it as soon as you remember — unless it is almost time for the next dose (then skip the missed one; never double up).
• Call your clinic if you miss more than one dose in a row.

Side effects — what should I watch for?

Effects listed as common in this handout

• Constipation (Most common (~2% humans/dogs))
• Vomiting (Reported)

Worth a phone call to your veterinarian

• Any new symptom that worries you.

⚠️ Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic IMMEDIATELY if you notice

• Trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, severe vomiting or diarrhea, facial swelling, or pale gums

Before starting (or refilling), tell your veterinarian if your pet:

• has or has had: None absolute
• has or has had: Use cautiously where decreased stomach/intestinal transit time could be harmful

• is pregnant, nursing, or used for breeding
• is taking any other medications, supplements, or flea/tick products, including:
  • Fluoroquinolones (enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin), doxycycline, tetracycline
  • Digoxin, levothyroxine, warfarin, theophylline, azithromycin, ketoconazole

Storage and handling

Room temperature, tight container. Crushed-tablet suspension (200 mg/mL) stable 14 days refrigerated — do not use acacia/tragacanth suspending agents, they inactivate the drug.

Good to know

• Intact tablets may pass through the stomach/intestinal tract without dissolving — always crush and suspend before dosing, don't give whole tablets.
• Give on an empty stomach (1h before or 2h after feeding) and separate from other oral medications by ≥2 hours — it will bind and reduce absorption of many co-administered drugs.
• If also using an H2-blocker, give sucralfate ~30–60 minutes after, not simultaneously.