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ketoconazole vs sucralfate

Side-by-side comparison of ketoconazole and sucralfate. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

Drug Interactions Some studies have shown that simultaneous sucralfate administration in healthy volunteers reduced the extent of absorption (bioavailability) of single doses of the following: cimetidine, digoxin, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, ketoconazole, l-thyroxine, phenytoin, quinidine, ranitidine, tetracycline, and theophylline.

Recommendation: Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to space these medicines apart. Taking them at different times can help ensure your body absorbs the full dose of ketoconazole.

Drug Class
ketoconazole Azole Antifungal
sucralfate Mucosal Protective Agent
Type
ketoconazole Over-the-Counter
sucralfate Prescription
Summary
ketoconazole

Ketoconazole shampoo is an antifungal medicine. It treats a fungal infection on your skin.

sucralfate

Sucralfate is a medicine that helps heal and protect ulcers in your small intestine. It creates a coating over the ulcer to shield it from stomach acid.

What It Treats
ketoconazole

This shampoo treats tinea versicolor, a fungal infection. This infection can cause patches on your skin that are lighter or darker than the surrounding skin. These patches may appear on your trunk, neck, arms, and upper thighs.

sucralfate

Sucralfate is used to treat active duodenal ulcers, which are sores in the first part of your small intestine. It can help heal these ulcers over a period of 4 to 8 weeks. Sucralfate can also be used as maintenance therapy at a lower dose to prevent ulcers from coming back after they have healed.

How It Works
ketoconazole

Ketoconazole is an antifungal medicine. It works by stopping the growth of the fungus. This helps to clear up the infection.

sucralfate

Sucralfate works by forming a protective layer over the ulcer. This coating acts like a bandage, shielding the ulcer from stomach acid and enzymes. This protection helps the ulcer heal.

Common Side Effects
ketoconazole

No common side effects listed.

sucralfate
  • Constipation (2%)
FAERS Reports
ketoconazole
  • Feeling tired 929
  • Itching 902
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 834
  • Skin breakout 802
  • Loose stool 760
sucralfate
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 2,262
  • Feeling very tired 1,733
  • Loose, watery stools 1,701
  • General discomfort 1,482
  • Pain in your head 1,381
Serious Warnings
ketoconazole

You should not use this shampoo if you are allergic to ketoconazole or any of the other ingredients.

sucralfate

Inadvertent injection of sucralfate has led to fatal complications, including blood clots in the lungs and brain. Sucralfate is not intended for intravenous administration.

Pregnancy
ketoconazole

It is not known if ketoconazole shampoo can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using this medicine.

sucralfate

It is not known if sucralfate can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This ketoconazole vs sucralfate Comparison

ketoconazole is classified in the Azole Antifungal drug class, while sucralfate sits within the Mucosal Protective Agent class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are split between OTC and prescription status, which affects access and supervision.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, ketoconazole has 4,227 submissions while sucralfate has 8,559. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to sucralfate can block your body from absorbing ketoconazole if they are taken at the same time. this means the medicine may not work as well to treat your condition.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between ketoconazole and sucralfate - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.