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Zantac vs. Carafate

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.

• 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)

• Headache
• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Stomach pain
• Nausea

• Risk of hiding symptoms of a more serious problem
• Medication interactions
• Allergic reactions

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.

• 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

• Constipation (2%)

• High aluminum levels