Sucralfate Coupons & Prices

Looking for a sucralfate coupon? Sucralfate is the low-cost generic version of Carafate, an FDA-approved prescription medicine that coats and protects duodenal ulcers so they can heal. Because it is a widely stocked generic, the cash price is already modest, but what you pay can still vary a lot from one pharmacy to the next. Rx.com compares prices across more than 60,000 pharmacies so you can find today's lowest price near you. Enter your ZIP above to see the current price and print a free discount coupon.

What is sucralfate and how does it work?

Sucralfate is a gastrointestinal (GI) mucosal protectant, a sucrose sulfate-aluminum complex sold under the brand name Carafate in the US (and Sulcrate in Canada). Unlike acid reducers, it does not lower the amount of acid your stomach makes. Instead, it works locally: in the acidic environment of the stomach it forms a sticky, paste-like barrier that clings to ulcerated tissue, shielding the raw area from acid, pepsin, and bile so healing can take place.

It is FDA-approved for the short-term treatment of active duodenal ulcers (up to 8 weeks) and, at a reduced dose, for maintenance therapy to help prevent duodenal ulcers from coming back after they have healed. Sucralfate is taken on an empty stomach so the protective coating can form directly on the ulcer.

Sucralfate cost and savings without insurance

Sucralfate is available as an FDA-approved generic, so it is typically one of the more affordable ulcer medicines, whether you have insurance or are paying cash. Even so, generic prices are not fixed. The same prescription can cost noticeably more at one pharmacy than at another down the street, which is exactly why comparing before you fill pays off.

There is no manufacturer copay savings card for generic sucralfate. Instead, Rx.com gives you a free discount coupon that works at the register at more than 60,000 pharmacies nationwide. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price near you, then show the coupon to your pharmacist. If you were prescribed brand-name Carafate, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether the generic is appropriate, since it usually costs far less.

Sucralfate vs. other ulcer and reflux medicines

Sucralfate is unusual because it protects tissue locally rather than reducing stomach acid. Many people with ulcers or reflux are treated instead with acid-suppressing drugs, and some are prescribed a combination. Common alternatives your provider may discuss include:

• Omeprazole and pantoprazole — proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) that strongly lower stomach acid.
• Famotidine — an H2 blocker that reduces acid production.
• Misoprostol — used to help protect the stomach lining in certain situations.

These medicines work in different ways, and the right choice depends on your diagnosis and history. Only your prescriber can decide which is best for you. Whatever you are prescribed, you can compare prices for it on Rx.com.

Sucralfate safety and drug interactions

Sucralfate has no boxed warning. The most common side effect is constipation. Because it contains aluminum, it should be used with caution in people with chronic kidney disease or on dialysis, since aluminum can build up over time. Rarely, an aluminum-containing mass called a bezoar has been reported, mainly in critically ill patients or those with delayed stomach emptying. Rare hypersensitivity or allergic reactions have been reported, chiefly with the oral suspension, and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) has been reported in some people with diabetes.

Sucralfate can bind other medicines in the gut and reduce how well they are absorbed, including fluoroquinolone and tetracycline antibiotics, digoxin, levothyroxine, phenytoin, and warfarin. To avoid this, these drugs are usually separated from sucralfate by at least 2 hours, and antacids should not be taken within 30 minutes of a dose. This is general information, not medical advice, so review your full medication list and any kidney concerns with your provider or pharmacist.