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Compare Zantac vs. Carafate

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Ranitidine (Zantac) and sucralfate (Carafate) are both medications used to treat stomach conditions, but they work in different ways and belong to different medication classes. Ranitidine is a histamine H2 antagonist that was used to treat heartburn, stomach and intestinal ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by reducing stomach acid. However, it has been discontinued in the United States due to concerns about an impurity that could cause cancer. On the other hand, sucralfate is an antiulcer medication that treats duodenal ulcers by forming a protective barrier over the ulcer, allowing it to heal. Sucralfate is available by prescription and comes in both tablet and liquid forms, while ranitidine was available in oral and injectable forms before its recall. Sucralfate must be taken on an empty stomach up to four times a day, and it can interact with other medications, requiring careful timing of doses. Common side effects of sucralfate include constipation. Unlike ranitidine, sucralfate is still available as a generic medication.

  • Ranitidine
    Sucralfate (Carafate)
  • Ranitidine
    Sucralfate (Carafate)

  • Summary of Zantac vs. Carafate

    Summary for Histamine H2 antagonist
    Prescription only

    Ranitidine is an H2 blocker that reduces the amount of acid the stomach produces. It's used to treat conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and ulcers. It was recalled in 2020 due to safety concerns about a chemical impurity, but it has since been reformulated and is now back on the market. Your dose depends on why you’re taking it, but it’s usually taken by mouth one to four times a day. Side effects include headache, dizziness, and feeling tired.

    Summary for Antiulcer
    Prescription only

    Sucralfate (Carafate) is a prescription ulcer medication. It treats ulcers in the intestine (duodenal ulcers) in adults. Sucralfate (Carafate) is a protectant; the medication works directly at the site of the ulcer to protect it so it can heal. Although the medication helps ulcers heal, it isn't used to prevent future ulcers. Sucralfate (Carafate) comes in an oral suspension and tablets that are available as brand-name and generic versions. It's taken by mouth up to 4 times per day and it doesn't have many side effects since very little is absorbed from the gut.

  • Indications of Zantac vs. Carafate

    Indications for
    •Stomach ulcer
    •Intestinal ulcer
    •Heartburn (GERD)
    •Erosive esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) due to GERD
    •Other high-acid conditions (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome or mastocytosis)
    Indications for
    •Short-term treatment (up to 8 weeks) of duodenal ulcer (open sore in the first part of the small intestine) - tablets and oral suspension
    •Maintenance treatment of duodenal ulcer after it's healed - tablets only

  • Pros and Cons of Zantac vs. Carafate

    Pros and Const for Histamine H2 antagonist
    Pros
    •Reduces stomach acid for ulcers and GERD
    •Can be used in adults and children
    •Works pretty quickly, within hours for GERD
    Cons
    •Might need to take multiple times a day
    •Interacts with many medications
    •Not as strong as PPIs for severe symptoms
    Pros and Const for Antiulcer
    Pros
    •Few side effects since the medication doesn't get absorbed into the body
    •Available as tablets, as well as a liquid for people with trouble swallowing pills
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Need to take 4 times per day on an empty stomach for the first 1 to 2 months
    •Can affect how other medications are absorbed in the stomach since sucralfate (Carafate) creates a layer that covers the stomach lining
    •Risk of high aluminum levels in the body in people with kidney problems

  • Common Side Effects of Zantac vs. Carafate

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache
    •Tiredness
    •Dizziness
    •Diarrhea
    •Constipation
    •Stomach pain
    •Nausea
    Common Side Effects for
    •Constipation (2%)

  • Warnings of Zantac vs. Carafate

    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of hiding symptoms of a more serious problem
    •Medication interactions
    •Allergic reactions
    Common Side Effects for
    •High aluminum levels

  • Prices with our coupons for Zantac vs. Carafate

    Learn more about Ranitidine
    Learn more about Sucralfate

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