Carafate protection?

Hi DOGBONE,

Carafate doesn't have any antacid qualities, so its protection is not limited to acid.  I discussed this with my GI doc and he said that it adheres to the stomach lining (and with Carafate Suspension the esophagus as well) and protects for up to 6 hours.

In fact, for people with bile reflux, my GI doc considers it a first line of defense for protecting the esophagus.

Anyone who spends any time around this forum will find that I'm a huge advocate of Carafate.  I have a reactive stomach, and Carafate makes a big difference in helping it heal and get feeling better. 

Hope you get your stomach feeling better soon!

Denise

Thanks ladies,

I could never get my gastritis to clear up until I started talking carafate....it's awesome! I was just making sure it would protect against the bile and pepsin reflux also. Not sure why I had to agrue with my DR. for 2 years before he finally gave in just to shut me up. So glad I didn't let up about it.

Doggbones

I have heard Carafate helps with bile reflux as well as acid reflux.

Does anyone know if it helps with LPR?

Hi WJF,

Carafate requires a prescription.  You can get the tablet form reasonably because it's generic.  That's great for the stomach.  You can get it to coat your esophagus a little if you mix it in a shotglass or medicine cup with a little water and throw it back and swallow.

Carafate suspension is the BEST--especially if you have an irritated esophagus.  It coats on the way down, and then coats the stomach.  It's very expensive, though, and requires a good prescription coverage.  That's the kind I use, and I'm happy to pay the $50 copay or 3 months from my mail-order prescription company.  It lasts me closer to 6 months, since I don't take the 4 times a day order.  Except when my stomach is very irritated (after an antibiotic or something) I take it only a couple of times a day when I'm having problems. 

If you have to go with the generic pill, it can help the esophagus as well, but not quite as well as the suspension form.  I've used it, though, and gotten relief.

Best wishes,

Denise

I have a short supply of Carafate tablets to try but the timing is very difficult - am taking medication twice a day and I graze all day in order not to feel sick, so I never have an empty stomach to take it on!!

MMM

Hi kevinla,

I've never spoken to a GI doc regarding how much Carafate suspension (in that case it would HAVE to be the suspension version, as it's the only thing that coats the throat as it goes down) would help LPR symptoms.

I suspect it could help some.  Obviously the throat is coated as well, and my GI doc said that after 10 minutes or so the coating has stuck.  He said that he can see remnents of the suspension when he does an endoscopy even after quite some time.

I guess if your LPR symptoms are ONLY throat related it might be worth a try.  Obviously it's not going to help with the larnyx or lungs.  I think the longer span of time between the Carafate and eating or drinking the better.  Maybe just try it at night and see what happens.

The nighttime dose is the easiest.  When I'm having some reactive stomach problems (since my wrap was created from my reactive stomach, it's affected as well), I take a dose before bed, then in the middle of the night or very early morning when I wake up, (taking note of the time so I don't take meds until 2 hours after), and it helps a lot.  Since you're not eating and drinking during your sleeping hours, I would suspect it would coat your throat and esophagus even better.

Hey, worth a try.  I wonder if you could get a sample?

Good luck,

Denise 

Post Edited (dencha) : 5/20/2012 7:10:03 PM (GMT-6)

It's Sucralfate in the UK and there is much reluctance to prescribing it - just not commonly used here.

MMM

How long do it take to work for mild gastritis I been on it for 3 weeks

Hi @dencha I can't take ppi or acid meds it make me to sick. So my doctor just put me on carafate. I have just mild gastritis with no infection. It got me depress in stress. Taking those acids meds made me think I was going to die. I'm taking the big blue pills of carafate. Do gastritis cause your chest to hurt in rumbling in tumbling after I take carafate. Also carafate give me mild headache but I can deal with it. So u saying it make take a 8 weeks trail before I get better because I haven't been myself for 2 months

Bland food I meant

Hi Tony,

So sorry you can't tolerate the meds that are designed to help you deal with your problem. It must be so frustrating! I've never experienced any problem with either PPIs or Carafate, and I am so sorry that they're not helpful for you. Hopefully, your doctor will be able to offer you some alternatives that will be better tolerated.

Very best wishes!
Denise