Carafate (Sucralfate) 1 Gram Dosage in Milliliters
One gram (1 g) of Carafate (sucralfate) is available as a 1 g tablet and does not have a direct milliliter equivalent as it is primarily dispensed in solid form. 1
Formulation Information
Sucralfate (Carafate) is primarily available in the following forms:
- Tablets: 1 gram (1 g) tablets for oral administration 1
- Suspension: When available as a suspension, it is typically formulated as 1 g/10 mL 2
Administration Guidelines
Standard Dosing
- The recommended dose of sucralfate for treatment of duodenal ulcers is 1 g four times daily, taken one hour before meals and at bedtime 3
- Alternative dosing regimen: 2 g twice daily (upon waking and at bedtime) has shown similar efficacy to the four-times-daily regimen 4
Administration Considerations
- Sucralfate works through local action in the gastrointestinal tract rather than systemic effects 1
- Only 3-5% of an orally administered dose is absorbed systemically 3
- Sucralfate remains at the site of gastric ulcers for up to six hours 3
Important Clinical Considerations
Mechanism of Action
Sucralfate works by:
- Forming an ulcer-adherent complex with proteinaceous exudate at the ulcer site
- Creating a barrier to diffusion of hydrogen ions
- Inhibiting pepsin activity in gastric juice by approximately 32%
- Adsorbing bile salts 1
Drug Interactions
- Quinolone antibiotics: Sucralfate can chelate with quinolones, resulting in marked decrease in quinolone drug levels. Administer quinolones at least 2 hours before sucralfate 5
- Antacids, H2-blockers, proton pump inhibitors: May affect the efficacy of sucralfate by altering gastric pH 5
Food Effects
- Sucralfate should be taken on an empty stomach, typically 1 hour before meals and at bedtime, to maximize its local protective effect 3
Clinical Applications
Sucralfate has shown efficacy in:
- Short-term treatment (up to eight weeks) of duodenal ulcers 3
- Treatment of gastric ulcers, with healing rates comparable to cimetidine and antacids 3
- Treatment of radiation-induced proctitis when administered as enemas 5
Remember that sucralfate is minimally absorbed systemically and has few side effects, with constipation (3-4%) being the most common adverse reaction 3.