sucralfate vs theophylline
Side-by-side comparison of sucralfate and theophylline. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
major Known Drug Interaction
albuterol, systemic and inhaled mebendazole amoxicillin medroxyprogesterone ampicillin, with or without sulbactam methylprednisolone atenolol metronidazole azithromycin metoprolol caffeine, dietary ingestion nadolol cefaclor nifedipine co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole) nizatidine diltiazem norfloxacin dirithromycin ofloxacin enflurane omeprazole famotidine prednisone, prednisolone felodipine ranitidine finasteride rifabutin hydrocortisone roxithromycin isoflurane Sorbitol (purgative doses do not inhibit theophylline absorption) isoniazid sucralfate isradipine terbutaline,...
Recommendation: Your doctor may recommend spacing these medications several hours apart to make sure theophylline works correctly.
Carafate
Theo-24, Elixophyllin
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.
Theophylline is a medicine that helps you breathe easier. It treats the symptoms of asthma and other lung problems.
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.
Theophylline treats the symptoms of long-term asthma and other lung diseases. These include emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which make it hard to breathe. This medicine helps to open up your airways so you can breathe easier.
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.
Theophylline is a bronchodilator. It works by relaxing the muscles in your airways. This allows more air to flow in and out of your lungs.
- • Constipation (2%)
- • Nausea
- • Vomiting
- • Headache
- • Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- 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
- Difficulty breathing 2,273
- Asthma 1,942
- Pneumonia 1,317
- Wheezing 1,306
- Vomiting 1,101
Inadvertent injection of sucralfate has led to fatal complications, including blood clots in the lungs and brain. Sucralfate is not intended for intravenous administration.
If your theophylline levels get too high in your blood, it can cause serious side effects. These include severe vomiting, irregular heartbeats, and seizures. These can be life-threatening.
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.
It is not known if theophylline can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if theophylline passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
How to Read This sucralfate vs theophylline Comparison
sucralfate is classified in the Mucosal Protective Agent drug class, while theophylline sits within the Methylxanthine Bronchodilator class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, sucralfate has 8,559 submissions while theophylline has 7,939. 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 major interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to sucralfate can coat the stomach or bind to theophylline, which prevents the medicine from being fully absorbed into your bloodstream.. 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 sucralfate and theophylline - 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.