Two medicines, side by side
Ranitidine vs sucralfate
Ranitidine and sucralfate are both labeled for acid reflux and ulcers. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ranitidine since 1983 and of sucralfate since 1981. In FDA's classes, ranitidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist and sucralfate an aluminum complex.
Check it at the source: the ranitidine FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 1, 2026); the sucralfate FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 2, 2026).
Highlights of the ranitidine record
Ranitidine (Zantac) · label of May 1, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsRanitidine Tablets, USP are indicated in: Short-term treatment of active duodenal ulcer. Most patients heal within 4 weeks. Studies available to date have not assessed the safety of ranitidine in uncomplicated duodenal ulcer for periods of more than 8 weeks. Maintenance therapy for duodenal ulcer patients at reduced dosage after healing of acute ulcers. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 9, 1983
- Generic labelers
- 8 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- Not in the survey
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 47
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 (Ranitidine label of May 1, 2026, Sucralfate label of September 2, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ranitidine and sucralfate differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ranitidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist and sucralfate an aluminum complex.
Generics: ranitidine since 1997; sucralfate since 1996 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ranitidine | Sucralfate | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acid reflux and ulcers | Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist | Aluminum Complex |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The elimination half-life is 2.5 to 3 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | June 9, 1983 | October 30, 1981 |
| First generic approved | July 31, 1997 | March 29, 1996 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 8 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | n/a | $0.173 per tablet (Sucralfate 1 g tablet) |
| 12-month price change | n/a | -6% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 47 | 6 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 230,803 | 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?
Sucralfate label, drug interactionsDrug 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.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to ranitidine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions