A provider briefing on the Carafate (Sucralfate) shortage in 2026 — timeline, prescribing implications, availability, cost, alternatives, and tools.
If your patients have been reporting difficulty filling Sucralfate prescriptions, the data confirms what they're experiencing. Sucralfate — marketed as Carafate — has been on intermittent back order from major generic manufacturers, creating inconsistent availability at retail pharmacies nationwide.
This briefing covers the current state of the shortage, its impact on prescribing decisions, availability and cost considerations, and practical tools to help your patients access their medication.
The Sucralfate tablet shortage stems primarily from supply disruptions at Teva Pharmaceuticals, one of the largest generic manufacturers of Sucralfate 1-gram tablets. Teva has attributed the shortage to increased demand and has been releasing inventory on an intermittent basis.
Viatris (formerly Mylan) continues to manufacture Sucralfate tablets and has reported availability, though their production alone has not been sufficient to fully meet national demand. The oral suspension formulation (1g/10mL) has been somewhat less affected but has also experienced periodic supply constraints.
The ASHP Drug Shortage Resource Center and FDA Drug Shortage database have both tracked this shortage. No firm resolution date has been announced by either manufacturer.
The intermittent nature of this shortage creates several practical challenges for prescribers:
Patients may present with unfilled prescriptions or report gaps in therapy. For patients being treated for active duodenal ulcers, interruptions in Sucralfate therapy can delay healing and increase symptom recurrence. Proactive counseling about the shortage and a documented backup plan in the chart can reduce patient anxiety and prevent treatment lapses.
When writing new prescriptions for Sucralfate, consider noting that either the tablet or suspension form is acceptable. This gives the dispensing pharmacist flexibility to fill whichever formulation is available, avoiding the need for a callback and re-authorization.
If Sucralfate is unavailable and the clinical situation warrants, therapeutic alternatives include:
Note that these alternatives work through different mechanisms (acid suppression) rather than Sucralfate's mucosal protectant approach. For patients specifically selected for Sucralfate's barrier mechanism — such as those with concerns about long-term PPI use, pregnant patients with GERD (ACG guidelines support Sucralfate in pregnancy), or patients with mucosal lesions requiring topical protection — substitution decisions should weigh these clinical considerations.
For a patient-facing overview of alternatives, see Alternatives to Carafate.
Availability is uneven across the country. Key observations:
The suspension formulation has generally been more consistently available than tablets during this shortage, though neither formulation has been immune to supply disruptions.
Cost can compound the access challenge, particularly for uninsured or underinsured patients:
No active manufacturer copay card or savings program exists for brand-name Carafate. For patients facing cost barriers, Prescription Hope offers access to Sucralfate at a flat $70/month through manufacturer patient assistance programs. NeedyMeds and RxAssist maintain updated listings of additional assistance options.
Direct patients to our savings guide: How to Save Money on Carafate.
Medfinder offers a provider-facing tool that helps clinicians and staff locate pharmacies with specific medications in stock. You can direct patients to search on their own at medfinder.com, or use the provider portal to assist during the visit.
The ASHP maintains an updated drug shortage database at ashp.org/drug-shortages. Use this to verify current shortage status and check for manufacturer updates.
The FDA's shortage list at fda.gov/drug-shortages provides official manufacturer-reported information and estimated resolution timelines when available.
When prescribing Sucralfate during the shortage, consider documenting:
The Sucralfate shortage reflects broader trends in the generic drug market: limited manufacturer competition, low profit margins discouraging new entrants, and supply chains vulnerable to demand fluctuations. These structural factors suggest intermittent availability may persist until additional manufacturing capacity comes online.
In the meantime, proactive prescribing strategies — formulation flexibility, documented backup alternatives, and directing patients to pharmacy-finding tools — can minimize the impact on patient care.
The Sucralfate shortage is manageable at the practice level with advance planning. Build formulation flexibility into prescriptions, have a therapeutic substitution protocol ready, and leverage tools like Medfinder for Providers to help patients locate available stock.
For additional provider resources, see our guide on how to help your patients find Carafate in stock and how to help patients save money on Carafate.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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