Carafate works best when taken on an empty stomach. If you take an antacid to relieve pain, avoid doing it within one-half hour before or after you take Carafate. Always take Carafate exactly as prescribed.

ADULTS

Active Duodenal Ulcer: The usual dose of Carafate is 1 gram (1 tablet or 2 teaspoonfuls of suspension) 4 times a day on an empty stomach. Although your ulcer may heal during the first 2 weeks of therapy, Carafate should be continued for 4 to 8 weeks.

Maintenance Therapy: The usual dose of Carafate is 1 gram (1 tablet) 2 times a day.

CARAFATE DOSE FOR CHILDREN

The safety and effectiveness of Carafate in children have not been established.

If you miss a Carafate dose: Take the missed dose of Carafate as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose of Carafate . Do not take a double dose unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Carafate Overdose: An overdose of Carafate is unlikely to threaten life.

However symptoms of Carafate overdose may include:

• abdominal pain,
• indigestion,
• nausea,
• vomiting

Carafate Storage instructions: Carafate tablets and suspension should be kept at room temperature, between 15° and 30°C (59-86°F). The suspension should not be frozen and should be shaken prior to each use.

Carafate Preparations: Tablets – 1 gm, Suspension – 500 mg/teaspoonful

|| Top ||

Carafate may bind in the gut to other medicines that are taken at the same time. This can reduce the absorption of the other medicines, in particular the following:

• phenytoin
• quinolone type antibiotics, eg ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin
• ketoconazole
• thyroxine
• warfarin
• digoxin
• lansoprazole
• amitriptyline.

The dose of these medicines should be separated by two hours from the Carafate dose. Carafate has the potential to reduce the absorption of other medicines as well. Tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking Carafate before taking any other medicines, as the doses of these may also need to be separated.

Carafate should not be taken at the same time as enteral feeds, given by a tube passing from the nose into the stomach (nasogastric tube). Administration of Carafate and these feeds should be separated by 1 hour.

Antacids should not be taken for half an hour before or after Carafate .

The use of other medicines containing aluminium, for example some antacids, is not recommended with Carafate , as this may enhance the potential for aluminium absorption and toxicity.

|| Top ||