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Cytoprotective Agent — GI Mucosal Protection

Sucralfate (Burns — GI Mucosal Protection)

Brand names: Antepsin

Sucralfate is a sucrose-aluminium complex used in burns patients for stress-related mucosal protection of the upper gastrointestinal tract, offering a non-acid-suppressing alternative for prophylaxis against stress ulceration in the critically injured.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

In the acidic stomach it forms a viscous adherent barrier over ulcerated and inflamed mucosa, protecting it from acid, pepsin and bile while having minimal systemic absorption.

Prescribing in practice

  • Because it relies on aluminium, use caution with prolonged therapy in renal impairment owing to the risk of aluminium accumulation, which is pertinent in burns patients prone to renal injury.
  • It binds and reduces the absorption of many other oral drugs, so administration of interacting medicines should be separated in time.
  • It requires an acidic environment to work, so concurrent strong acid suppression may reduce its barrier effect.

Monitoring

Monitor for signs of gastrointestinal bleeding and, with prolonged use in renal impairment, consider aluminium accumulation.

Counselling the patient

  • This medicine coats and protects the stomach lining rather than reducing acid.
  • Separate it in time from other oral medicines and from feeds where advised.
  • Report any black stools, vomiting of blood or worsening constipation.

Evidence & guidelines

Sucralfate is an established option for stress ulcer prophylaxis, with critical-care guidance comparing it against acid-suppressing agents.

Reference: STRESS Trial (Cook et al.); BBA Burns GI Complication Guidelines; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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