Two medicines, side by side
Bismuth subsalicylate vs sucralfate
Bismuth subsalicylate and sucralfate are both labeled for acid reflux and ulcers. Pharmacies paid $0.0817 per tablet (Bismuth 262 mg tablet chewable) and $0.173 per sucralfate 1 g tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the bismuth subsalicylate FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 3, 2023); the sucralfate FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 2, 2026).
Highlights of the bismuth subsalicylate record
Bismuth subsalicylate · label of October 3, 2023
Used for
From the label: indicationsrelieves travelers' diarrhea diarrhea upset stomach due to overindulgence in food and drink, including: heartburn indigestion nausea gas belching fullness
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0817 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Highlights of the sucralfate record
Sucralfate (Carafate) · label of September 2, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsSucralfate is indicated in: • Short-term treatment (up to 8 weeks) of active duodenal ulcer. While healing with sucralfate may occur during the first week or two, treatment should be continued for 4 to 8 weeks unless healing has been demonstrated by x-ray or endoscopic examination. • Maintenance therapy for duodenal ulcer patients at reduced dosage after healing of acute ulcers.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 30, 1981
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.173 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 6
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Bismuth subsalicylate label of October 3, 2023, Sucralfate label of September 2, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do bismuth subsalicylate and sucralfate differ on the record?
Generics: bismuth subsalicylate none approved; sucralfate since 1996 (Drugs@FDA).
| Bismuth subsalicylate | Sucralfate | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Diarrhea, Acid reflux and ulcers, Nausea and vomiting | Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Aluminum Complex |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | n/a | October 30, 1981 |
| First generic approved | none | March 29, 1996 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0817 per tablet (Bismuth 262 mg tablet chewable) | $0.173 per tablet (Sucralfate 1 g tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | -6% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 6 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 5,773 | 23,820 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to bismuth subsalicylate
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions