Ulsicral Mechanism of Action

Drug Action: Sucralfate is a complex formed by sucrose octasulfate and polyaluminium hydroxide. Sucralfate's antiulcer activity is the result of formation of an ulcer-adherent complex with proteinaceous exudates, that covers the ulcer site and protects it against further attack by gastric acid, pepsin, and bile salts. Laboratory as well as clinical studies showed that sucralfate accelerates healing of ulcers in three ways: Sucralfate forms an ulcer-adherent chemical complex with proteinaceous exudate at the ulcer site forming a protective layer; Sucralfate inhibits the activity of gastric acid, pepsin and bile salts; The sucralfate-albumin film provides a barrier to diffusion of gastric acid hydrogen ions.
Studies showed that sucralfate may remain for long periods of time in the digestive tract producing a long lasting drug effect.
Sucralfate is only minimally absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, so that systemic effects are minimal.