Two medicines, side by side
Lansoprazole vs sucralfate
Lansoprazole and sucralfate are both labeled for acid reflux and ulcers. Drugs@FDA records approvals of lansoprazole since 1995 and of sucralfate since 1981. Pharmacies paid $0.106 per lansoprazole DR 30 mg capsule and $0.173 per sucralfate 1 g tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, lansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor and sucralfate an aluminum complex.
Check it at the source: the lansoprazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 24, 2025); the sucralfate FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 2, 2026).
Highlights of the lansoprazole record
Lansoprazole (Prevacid) · label of June 24, 2025
Used for
From the label: indications• treats frequent heartburn (occurs 2 or more days a week) • not intended for immediate relief of heartburn; this drug may take 1 to 4 days for full effect
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 10, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 59 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.106 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 15
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 (Lansoprazole label of June 24, 2025, Sucralfate label of September 2, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do lansoprazole and sucralfate differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, lansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor and sucralfate an aluminum complex.
Generics: lansoprazole since 2009; sucralfate since 1996 (Drugs@FDA).
| Lansoprazole | Sucralfate | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acid reflux and ulcers | Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | Proton Pump Inhibitor | Aluminum Complex |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | May 10, 1995 | October 30, 1981 |
| First generic approved | November 10, 2009 | March 29, 1996 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 59 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.106 per capsule (Lansoprazole DR 30 mg capsule) | $0.173 per tablet (Sucralfate 1 g tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +0.7% | -6% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 15 | 6 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 177,061 | 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Lansoprazole label, drug interactions (prescription label)Sucralfate Clinical Impact: Decreased and delayed absorption of lansoprazole. Intervention: Take PREVACID or PREVACID SoluTab at least 30 minutes prior to sucralfate [see ].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to lansoprazole
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions