Drug interactions
Phenytoin + Sucralfate
Severity: Moderate
Phenytoin and Sucralfate: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Sucralfate may bind oral phenytoin and lower its absorption, with reports of reduced serum levels. Because phenytoin has a narrow therapeutic range, lower levels could risk loss of seizure control.
What this interaction means in plain words
Phenytoin and Sucralfate can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Phenytoin belongs to Central Nervous System; Sucralfate belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Binding of phenytoin to sucralfate in the gut, reducing absorption.
What to do
Separate doses by at least 2 hours and monitor phenytoin serum concentrations when starting or stopping sucralfate.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Sucralfate
Other interactions of Phenytoin
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Bictegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Phenytoin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Phenytoin with Sucralfate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Phenytoin and Sucralfate can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Sucralfate may bind oral phenytoin and lower its absorption, with reports of reduced serum levels. Because phenytoin has a narrow therapeutic range, lower levels could risk loss of seizure control.
How serious is the interaction between Phenytoin and Sucralfate?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Separate doses by at least 2 hours and monitor phenytoin serum concentrations when starting or stopping sucralfate.
What other medicines interact with Sucralfate?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sucralfate with, for example, Ciprofloxacin, Gemifloxacin, Levofloxacin. The full list is on the Sucralfate page.
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