Question:

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this forum, and am looking forward to participating in it.



I was wondering if anyone is on or has any information about sucralfate?
I'm taking it for ulcers. My concern is that it is made of aluminum. I was reading in a health book that you have to be careful not to use any other products that contain aluminum because the body could reach toxic levels. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks. Tricia
Answer:
Here's some information from the NIH with some absorption information for the aluminum.



Here's some more in depth information:



For another site:



Has some interesting information on interactions, including with some things such as vaginal douches?? I don't quite see that.... but.
Answer:
Hey purpleflower, how are you doing?

Alumininum toxicity relates its potential dangers to the use and overuse of aluminum-containing antacids. For patients with compromised renal function, a safe alternative includes calcium carbonate, such as found in Tums. (
toxicity, aluminum)

Dietary aluminum is ubiquitous (seeming to exist everywhere at once), but in such small quantities that it is not a significant source of concern in persons with normal elimination capacity. Toxic effects are dependent upon the amount of metal ingested, entry rate, tissue distribution, concentration achieved, and excretion rate. (
toxicity, aluminum)

As an aide in prevention, it is recommended, do not take double or extra doses of aluminum-containing antacids (e.g. sucralfate, aluminum hydroxide). (Express Scripts Sucralfate Oral Suspension) The average healing time for peptic ulcers is 40 days, with a range of 13 to 230 days. (Teslar 348)

Peptic ulcers usually heals within a reasonable time (four to six weeks), except for debilitated elderly people. Any ulcer that does not improve within the indicated time should be suspected of being cancerous. (Teslar 348)

As one physician said: "Once a peptic ulcer, always a peptic ulcer." Peptic ulcers afflicts those persons who respond more painfully to frustration and anxieties, including the obsessive personality, the phobic, and the perfectionist. (Teslar 348)

What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth forever. (Ecclesiastes; or the Preacher 712)

For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool forever; seeing that which is now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fools. (Ecclesiastes; or the Preacher 713)

As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hands. Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. (Ecclesiastes; or the Preacher 716)

And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity (useless) and vexation (to provoke to anger or displeasure by small irritations) of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. (Ecclesiastes; or the Preacher 713)

Lifetime directions for patients with peptic ulcer: (Teslar 348-9) Allow plenty of time for meals; make mealtime a friendly, pleasant interlude and not a time to air your social or financial problems. Eat slowly and chew thoroughly. Never go more than three hours without eating. If you are in a hurry and are compelled to rush through your meal, cut the food intake in half; just assurge your hunger, not your appetite. A cold or any respiratory infection can set you back. Take especially good care of yourself if you feel a cold coming on. Get into bed and stay there for a day or so and drink plenty of milk. Cut out all smoking and cut down on drinking.
If your symptoms return, it usually means you have broken training - not enough sleep, not enough rest, eating the wrong foods, getting too upset, worring too much. When this happens, go on a two-hour feeding schedule, with plenty of appropriate antacids.
Although healing with sucralfate may begin to occur within two weeks, you should continue treatment until your prescriber or health care professional has made sure healing is complete. (Teslar 348) Aluminum toxicity is usually found in patients with impaired renal function. (
toxicity, aluminum)