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Can Carafate be hurting me?

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Posted 9/13/2013 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on Carafate for over 7 weeks. I had bleeding in my esophagus before I was on Carafate, but I had a lot of episodes of esophageal pain after starting the use of Carafate. I also did not have pain in my tongue until I started using Carafate.

I have been spitting up quite a bit of blood the last two days and this morning I bled a few minutes after drinking my morning Carafate.

I just can't help but wonder if it could somehow be harming me.

The only reason I haven't stopped using it is because I'm full of fear that it is the only thing keeping me from being worse. What if the pain and the blood was WORSE if I stopped?

Can anyone tell me if it is possible it could be not helping at all and/or making it worse?
Posted 9/13/2013 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi sidosquiere,

 

Carafate was developed to help protect healing stomach ulcers from acid.  I was told by my doctor that it is a very benign drug, and that most is excreted, and very little is absorbed.  I have used it for years, since I have a very reactive stomach, and I find it extremely helpful in getting things feeling better.

I do not think the Carafate is the problem, unless for some reason you're reacting to it in some sort of allergic way.  Did you call your doctor and ask this question?  I'm a big advocate of Carafate suspension just because it coats and protects the esophagus.  I can't imagine that it is causing your problem.

Here is a link to a list of possible Carafate side effects:

http://www.rxlist.com/carafate-suspension-drug/patient-images-side-effects.htm

Please call your doctor and report your concerns.  I'm confident that it isn't the Carafate, but your doctor should make that determination in any case.  Your doc should know the troubling symptoms you're experiencing.

Good luck!  Hope you get things healed and cleared up very soon!

Best wishes,

Denise

Posted 9/15/2013 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
I tried Carafate, and I know that it caused me pain when I swallowed it -- it burned my throat. I know that I have a throat sensitivity problem, but, others may have esophageal sensitivity problems and be similarly affected.

So it is absolutely possible that it could cause pain in sensitive areas that it passes over. Would it cause anything OTHER than pain (increased bleeding, actual tissue damage etc.)..? I don't know. I don't believe I ever had stomach problems, and since it was only increasing throat pain, I stopped using it after a few days.
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