From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2007-06-23 13:27:42 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Carafate/Sucralfate, and finding info on medications
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I thought that the following may be useful. There is a lot in the=20
archives on this med.
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/sucralfate.html
> Sucralfate not only =93bandages=94 the ulcer but accumulates healing=20
> tissue factors in its bandage; it not only protects the ulcer but=20
> actively assists in the healing process.
> HOW THIS MEDICATION IS USED
>
> Sucralfate may be used in any condition associated with stomach=20
> ulceration. Common examples include: toxin ingestion, kidney=20
> failure, liver failure, certain forms of cancer, and=20
> megaesophagus. It is also often given with medications that are=20
> associated with stomach ulceration such as pyroxicam (feldene).
>
> One dose of Sucralfate lasts approximately 6 hours after it is=20
> taken orally.
> CONCERNS AND CAUTIONS
>
> Despite the presence of sucrose in the molecular formula of this=20
> medication, there is no problem administering sucralfate to=20
> diabetic patients.
>
> Sucralfate must be given four times daily in order to provide a=20
> continuous protective layer on the ulcer. This is an inconvenient=20
> schedule but if doses are skipped, the ulcer goes unprotected for=20
> that period of time.
For the Compendium of Veterinary Products you have to accept the=20
disclaimer to begin but it has no data on this med.
http://www.medicinenet.com/sucralfate/article.htm
This is a very useful website to learn about medications. The=20
quickest route for finding basic info is to use the alphabetical index.
Some key points:
> Sucralfate is a unique oral drug. Chemically, it is a complex of=20
> the disaccharide sugar, sucrose, combined with sulfate and=20
> aluminum. It is minimally absorbed into the body, and its actions=20
> are entirely on the lining of the stomach and duodenum...
> Sucralfate also is used in the treatment of patients with=20
> gastroesophageal reflux disease
> PREPARATIONS: Oblong tablets (pink): 1 gram; pink- colored=20
> suspension (1 gram per 2 teaspoonsful).
Think of a teaspoon as 5 ml since it is just a tad under that=20
(according to one measuring tool we have).
> STORAGE: Tablets and suspension should be kept at room temperature,=20
> between 15=B0 and 30=B0C (59-86=B0F). The suspension should not be frozen=
=20
> and should be shaken prior to each use.
> [HUMAN] DOSING: Sucralfate generally is given four times daily for=20
> treating ulcerations and twice daily for preventing ulcers. It is=20
> recommended that it be taken on an empty stomach, at least one hour=20
> prior to meals, for best coating of the ulcers.
Notice that for ferret the timing does not have to be as long as for=20
humans.
There is the problem that it can bind with some foods and some meds. =
Also foods may block it from being able to settle into the wounded=20
areas. Some still give it with foods and say has worked for them but=20
if that is done expect it to not work as well as it would otherwise.
> Sucralfate reduces the absorption of many drugs when taken at the=20
> same time as the other drugs.
The site then lists some known ones. Notice again that for ferrets=20
to typical recommended timings are shorter than for humans, but if=20
there is concern discuss with your vet and if your pharmacist=20
specializes in animal needs (as some compounding pharmacies do -- see=20
the FHL Files section for compounding pharmacies recommended by FHL=20
members) you might decide to ask her or him also.
> SIDE EFFECTS: Sucralfate is well tolerated. Constipation is the=20
> most frequent side effect and occurs in 1 of every 50 patients who=20
> take sucralfate.
Because of the aluminum content some avoid with when certain kidney=20
problems are present.
Carafate appears to be so very safe that I really hope the=20
manufacturer decides at some point to apply for OTC (over the=20
counter) status in the U.S. I don't know if it is OTC in any other=20
countries at this point.
More and related information can be found here:
http://www.medicinenet.com/sucralfate/index.htm
That resource is in the FHL links section and so are others that help=20
learn the nuances of specific meds, alternative meds, herbal meds,=20
etc. such as
the Compendium of Veterinary Products:
http://vrxfull.naccvp.com/?u=3Dcountry&p=3Dmsds
and from a vet hospital:
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.html
http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Interaction/ChooseDrugs
and for one site on potential interactions with herbs or supplements:
http://www.brainybrawn.com/IMCAccess/HerbSuppIntC_lookup.html
http://www.altvetmed.org/pages/articles.html
Animal Poison Control because not all of our meds are safe for=20
ferrets, including some over the counter ones and some herbals:
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?
pagename=3Dpro_apcc&JServSessionIdr011=3D98qebfnii5.app24b
On that score also see:
http://www.avonvets.co.uk/2ndyr_hands/Poisons.html
and
http://www.mspca.org/site/PageServer?
pagename=3Dpoisoncontrolhotline_pagewrapperlanding
BTW, there is also a recognition guide for some poisonous plants [for=20
humans but there is some overlap] there in:
http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/poison/index.html
http://www.drugs.com/
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/index.html
http://www.pfaf.org/database/index.php
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/index.htm
Sukie (not a vet)
Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
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