Tag: Bezoar formation

While relatively rare, with an estimated prevalence of about 0.4%, some individuals may develop a pharmacobezoar—a tightly packed mass of ingested medications. The question of which drug causes gastric bezoar most notably points to sucralfate, though several other formulations, including extended-release products, are also implicated, especially in high-risk patients with impaired gastrointestinal motility.

An estimated 2% of patients taking sucralfate experience constipation, its most common side effect. However, for certain individuals with underlying health conditions, taking sucralfate can pose a much more serious risk. Understanding who cannot take sucralfate is essential to prevent complications such as aluminum toxicity, severe allergic reactions, and bezoar formation.