Use of sucralfate in renal failure

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential for the development of aluminum toxicity in patients with renal insufficiency or chronic renal failure who are taking sucralfate. DATA SOURCES: Clinical literature accessed through MEDLINE (1966-December 1999) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-December 1999). Key search terms included sucralfate, renal failure, renal insufficiency, and end-stage renal disease. DATA SYNTHESIS: Urinary excretion is an important route of elimination for systemically absorbed aluminum. Accumulation of aluminum in patients with impaired renal function may lead to significant toxicity. A potential source of aluminum is the antiulcer medication sucralfate. Studies and case reports evaluating the use and toxicity of sucralfate in patients with normal renal function, as well as those with renal failure or renal insufficiency, were reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Aluminum accumulation and toxicity have been reported with the use of sucralfate in patients with compromised renal function. The risk of toxicity most likely represents a long-term complication of sucralfate use in this patient population. Toxicity may be enhanced by concurrent use of other aluminum-containing medications, such as phosphate binders or antidiarrheal preparations. These medications, in addition to sucralfate, should be avoided if possible in patients with end-stage renal disease. Patients with renal failure or renal insufficiency who are undergoing prolonged sucralfate therapy should be monitored for potential signs of aluminum toxicity.

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