naproxen vs sucralfate
Side-by-side comparison of naproxen and sucralfate. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
moderate Known Drug Interaction
Antacids and Sucralfate Clinical Impact: Concomitant administration of some antacids (magnesium oxide or aluminum hydroxide) and sucralfate can delay the absorption of naproxen. Intervention: Concomitant administration of antacids such as magnesium oxide or aluminum hydroxide, and sucralfate with naproxen tablets and naproxen sodium tablets is not recommended.
Recommendation: Taking these two medications together is not recommended.
Aleve, Naprosyn
Carafate
Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It helps reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness.
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.
Naproxen is used to relieve pain and inflammation. You can use it for arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It also treats ankylosing spondylitis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Naproxen can help with tendonitis, bursitis, gout, menstrual cramps, and general pain.
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.
Naproxen works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. It blocks the production of prostaglandins. These substances contribute to the symptoms of pain, swelling, and fever.
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.
- • Heartburn
- • Abdominal pain
- • Nausea
- • Constipation
- • Diarrhea
- • Constipation (2%)
- Pain 8,756
- Tiredness 7,338
- Joint pain 7,244
- Feeling sick to your stomach 7,063
- Headache 5,717
- 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
Naproxen may increase your risk of serious heart problems like heart attack or stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may happen early in treatment and increases with longer use. You should not take naproxen if you are having heart bypass surgery. Naproxen can also increase your risk of serious stomach and intestine problems, including bleeding, ulcers, and holes, which can be fatal. These problems can occur without warning. Elderly people are at higher risk.
Inadvertent injection of sucralfate has led to fatal complications, including blood clots in the lungs and brain. Sucralfate is not intended for intravenous administration.
Using naproxen after 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause kidney problems in the unborn baby, leading to low amniotic fluid. Avoid using naproxen at 30 weeks of pregnancy or later because it can cause the baby's heart to close too early. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
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
Compare naproxen with
How to Read This naproxen vs sucralfate Comparison
naproxen is classified in the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) 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, naproxen has 36,118 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 moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to sucralfate can slow down how quickly your body absorbs naproxen, which may delay its effects.. 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 naproxen 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.