What is it used for?

• Treatment of stomach and duodenal (peptic) ulcers.
• Treating an inflamed stomach lining (chronic gastritis).
• Preventing bleeding from stomach and intestinal ulcers caused by stress in seriously ill people (Antepsin suspension only).

How does it work?

• Antepsin tablets and suspension contain the active ingredient sucralfate, which is a complex of aluminium hydroxide and sulphated sucrose. It is used to aid healing of ulcers in the stomach and intestine (peptic ulcers).
• Sucralfate is not absorbed from the gut. It works by forming a protective barrier over the ulcer. This protects the ulcer from stomach acid, giving it time to it heal.
• Antepsin can also be used to treat chronic inflammation of the stomach (gastritis). It works in the same way to protect the lining of the stomach.

How do I take it?

• The dose prescribed and how often to take this medicine depends on the condition being treated. It is important to follow the instructions given by your doctor. These will also be printed on the dispensing label that your pharmacist has put on the container.
• Antepsin is usually prescribed to be taken twice a day (after waking up and at bedtime) or four times a day (an hour before meals and at bedtime). Follow the instructions given by your doctor.
• Antepsin tablets can be swallowed whole, or if preferred, they can be dispersed in 10 to 15ml of water before taking.
• Do not take antacid medicines in the half an hour before or after you take this medicine.
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for your next dose, leave out the missed dose and take your next dose as usual when it is due. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
• Treatment with Antepsin is usually needed for at least four to six weeks to allow ulcers to heal, but this can be extended for up to 12 weeks if the peptic ulcers are not healing. Don't stop taking the medicine until your doctor tells you to.

Warning!

Antepsin suspension contains food additives, E217 and E219 which act as preservatives and may cause allergic reactions, sometimes delayed.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• This medicine is not absorbed from the gut in significant amounts and so is unlikely to be harmful if used by pregnant or breastfeeding women. However, as with all medicines, it should be used with caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding and only if your doctor feels it is clearly needed. Ask your doctor for further advice.

Side effects

• Common 
• Constipation.
• Dry mouth.
• Feeling sick.
• Rash.
• Formation of an insoluble mass within the gut (bezoar).
• Diarrhoea.
• Indigestion.
• Stomach discomfort.
• Vomiting.
• Dizziness or spinning sensation.
• Back pain.
• Headache.
• Drowsiness.
• Excess gas in the stomach and intestines (flatulence).

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer.

For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

Sucralfate may bind in the gut to other medicines that are taken at the same time. This can reduce the absorption of the other medicines, in particular the following:

• aminophylline
• digoxin
• ketoconazole
• lansoprazole
• levothyroxine
• phenytoin
• quinolone type antibiotics, eg ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, levofloxacin
• quinidine
• sulpiride
• tetracycline
• theophylline
• warfarin.

If you are taking another medicine with sucralfate you should ask your pharmacist for advice. For some of these medicines it may be recommended that your doses of sucralfate are separated from the doses of the other medicine by two hours.

Antacid medicines should not be taken for at least half an hour before or after taking sucralfate.

The use of citrate medicines, for example potassium citrate, or medicines that contain aluminium, for example some antacids, is not recommended while you are taking this medicine, because they may enhance the potential for aluminium absorption and toxicity.

References:

https://imedi.co.uk/antepsin-1g

http://mcs.open.ac.uk/nlg/old_projects/pills/corpus/PIL/data/Wyeth/Antepsin_Tablets/Antepsin_Tablets.html

http://mcs.open.ac.uk/nlg/old_projects/pills/corpus/PIL/data/Wyeth/Antepsin_Suspension/Antepsin_Suspension.html

http://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/Licence_PA22641-001-001_22032019163645.pdf

https://www.drugs.com/uk/antepsin-1g-5ml-oral-suspension-sucralfate-1g-5ml-oral-suspension-leaflet.html

https://www.ndrugs.com/?s=antepsin

https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/digestion/a6218/antepsin-sucralfate/