Antibacterial activity of sucralfate in human gastric juice.

A series of experiments was conducted to determine the rate of bacterial growth in human gastric juice at various pH values in relation to the addition of sucralfate and antacid. Whereas the addition of antacid resulted in bacterial growth in gastric juice, sucralfate showed an antibacterial effect. This may account for the decreased rate of pneumonia among intensive-care patients who are receiving artificial ventilation and being treated with sucralfate for the prevention of stress-induced gastrointestinal bleeding compared with the rate in patients receiving conventional prophylaxis with histamine (H2)-antagonists or antacids.