Sucralfate

Sucralfate, sold under various brand names, is a medication used to treat stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), radiation proctitis, and stomach inflammation and to prevent stress ulcers. Its usefulness in people infected by H. pylori is limited. It is used by mouth (for ulcers of the upper gastrointestinal tract) and rectally (for radiation proctitis). Common side effects include constipation. Serious side effects may include bezoar formation and encephalopathy. Use appears to be safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding. How it works is unclear but is believed to involve binding to the ulcer and protecting it from further damage. Sucralfate was approved for medical use in the United States in 1981. It is available as a generic medication. In 2023, it was the 240th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1 million prescriptions.