Comprehensive medication guide to Sucralfate including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$40 copay for generic sucralfate; typically Tier 1–2 on most private insurance and Medicare Part D plans. Prior authorization is generally not required for the generic formulation.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$40–$50 average retail for 60 generic tablets (30-day supply); as low as $4.60–$12 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons. Brand-name Carafate can cost $700+ retail — always request the generic.
Medfinder Findability Score
65/100
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Sucralfate (brand name Carafate) is a prescription gastrointestinal protectant used primarily to treat and prevent peptic ulcers. It is classified as a mucosal protectant and antiulcer agent. Chemically, sucralfate is a basic aluminum complex of sucrose octasulfate that forms a thick, viscous, protective barrier over ulcer sites in the stomach and small intestine.
The FDA first approved sucralfate in 1981. It is available as a generic medication in tablet (1g) and oral suspension (1g/10mL) forms. In 2023, it was the 240th most prescribed medication in the United States with more than 1 million prescriptions annually.
Sucralfate is FDA-approved for short-term treatment (up to 8 weeks) of active duodenal ulcers and for maintenance therapy to prevent ulcer recurrence. It is also widely used off-label for gastric ulcers, GERD, stress ulcer prevention in ICU patients, chemotherapy-induced mucositis, radiation proctitis, and esophageal injuries from button battery ingestion.
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Sucralfate works through a unique local mechanism that is completely different from proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or H2 blockers. When taken on an empty stomach, sucralfate reacts with hydrochloric acid in the stomach to form a highly concentrated, viscous, paste-like substance. This gel has a strong affinity for damaged, proteinaceous ulcer tissue and adheres selectively to ulcer sites, forming a physical barrier that can last up to 6 hours.
This barrier shields the ulcer from acid, pepsin (sucralfate reduces pepsin activity by approximately 32%), and bile salts. Sucralfate also actively promotes healing by stimulating prostaglandin production, increasing bicarbonate secretion, enhancing mucus viscosity and quality, and binding epidermal growth factor to the ulcer site to accelerate tissue repair.
Importantly, sucralfate does not change gastric pH or suppress acid production. Only about 3–5% of an oral dose reaches systemic circulation. This minimal systemic absorption gives sucralfate a favorable safety profile and makes it a preferred option in certain populations, including pregnant patients and those in the ICU where maintaining gastric acidity (to reduce bacterial overgrowth) is desirable.
1 g — tablet
Standard oral tablet for active ulcer treatment (QID) and maintenance therapy (BID)
1 g/10 mL — oral suspension
Liquid suspension for patients with dysphagia, esophageal indications, or tube feeding; shake well before use
Sucralfate is not listed as a formal, active shortage on the FDA Drug Shortage Database as of early 2026. However, ASHP has documented that Teva Pharmaceuticals placed sucralfate 1g tablets on intermittent back order due to increased demand. Viatris and other manufacturers have maintained supply, but uneven distribution across pharmacy wholesale networks creates localized gaps where some pharmacies run out while others are well-stocked.
The oral suspension (1g/10mL) is generally harder to find than the tablets due to fewer competing generic manufacturers and more complex manufacturing. Patients prescribed the suspension may need to search more broadly than those on tablets.
Most patients can find sucralfate within their broader area by trying independent pharmacies or pharmacies with different wholesaler relationships. Use medfinder to search which pharmacies near you have sucralfate in stock without spending time calling each one yourself.
Sucralfate is not a controlled substance, so any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority can write a prescription for it — with no DEA registration or special authorization required. This includes all of the following provider types:
Telehealth is a convenient and fully legal option for obtaining a sucralfate prescription, as it is not a controlled substance. Platforms like PlushCare, Teladoc, MDLive, and many GI-specific telehealth services can prescribe sucralfate after a virtual consultation for appropriate GI conditions.
No. Sucralfate is not a controlled substance and has no DEA schedule. It is a prescription medication, meaning you need a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider to obtain it, but there are no special restrictions associated with its prescribing, dispensing, or refilling.
Because sucralfate is not a controlled substance, it can be prescribed via telehealth, transferred between pharmacies without restriction, refilled as needed (subject to the prescriber's directions), and written for 90-day supplies without DEA limitations. Any licensed prescriber — including nurse practitioners and physician assistants — can prescribe sucralfate.
Sucralfate is generally well-tolerated because it works locally in the GI tract with minimal systemic absorption. Common side effects include:
Serious side effects (less common):
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Omeprazole (Prilosec)
PPI; reduces acid production; OTC available; most commonly used alternative for ulcers and GERD
Famotidine (Pepcid)
H2 blocker; faster acting than PPIs but less potent; OTC available; good for milder symptoms
Pantoprazole (Protonix)
PPI; prescription strength; injectable form available for hospital use
Misoprostol (Cytotec)
Prostaglandin analog; best for NSAID-induced ulcer prevention; contraindicated in pregnancy due to risk of miscarriage
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Digoxin (Lanoxin)
majorSucralfate reduces digoxin absorption significantly; monitor serum levels; take digoxin 2+ hours before sucralfate
Dolutegravir (Tivicay)
majorAluminum cation binding reduces dolutegravir absorption; take 2 hours before or 6 hours after sucralfate
Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
moderateReduced absorption can affect thyroid control; take levothyroxine 4+ hours before sucralfate; notify prescriber
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin)
moderateChelation significantly reduces antibiotic absorption; take 2 hours before or 6 hours after sucralfate
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
moderateReduced absorption; monitor phenytoin levels if starting or stopping sucralfate; take 2 hours before
Warfarin (Coumadin)
moderateSubtherapeutic prothrombin times reported; monitor INR closely when starting or stopping sucralfate
Furosemide (Lasix)
minorMay reduce diuretic/antihypertensive effects; separate intake by at least 2 hours
Tetracycline antibiotics
minorReduced absorption; take 2+ hours before sucralfate
Sucralfate (Carafate) is a time-tested, effective GI protectant with a unique mechanism that sets it apart from acid-suppressing medications. Its minimal systemic absorption, favorable safety profile, and lack of DEA scheduling make it accessible and manageable for most patients. Generic sucralfate is widely available and affordable — especially with discount cards like GoodRx.
The primary challenge patients face is intermittent pharmacy-level stockouts due to manufacturer back orders and uneven distribution. These are typically localized and resolvable with some persistence — trying a different pharmacy, asking for an alternate manufacturer's product, or asking about the alternate formulation (tablet vs. suspension) usually surfaces in-stock options.
If you're having trouble finding sucralfate at your pharmacy, medfinder can help by calling pharmacies near you to locate which ones have it in stock — saving you time and frustration. Whether you're managing an active ulcer or on maintenance therapy, getting consistent access to your medication is important for successful treatment.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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