Treatment / Protect surface / Sucralfate
SUCRALFATE
Mechanism of Action
- sucrose sulfate-aluminum hydroxide complex that attaches to the basement membrane of the ulcer
- no acid-neutralizing properties, but may stimulate mucosal prostaglandin and bicarbonate secretion, as well as recruit growth factors that facilitate repair
- limited to stress-related gastritis since the advent of PPIs
- SUCRALFATE is most often used in the ICU, where PPI administration has been shown to increase the risk of nosocomial pneumonia
Pharmacokinetics
- requires acid environment to be activated into a viscous paste
- binds selectively to ulcers for up to 6 hours
- less than 3% of intact drug, and 0.01% of aluminium is absorbed systemically
Side Effects
- constipation (2-4% of patients) due to aluminium salt
- may bind to other medications and decrease their absorption