Aluminium hydroxide versus sucralfate as a phosphate binder in uraemia

In an attempt to discover a phosphate binding agent for use in uraemia that would not lead to appreciable systemic absorption of aluminium the effect of sucralfate was evaluated after three weeks and compared with that of the existing standard agent aluminium hydroxide. Sucralfate caused a decrease in serum phosphate concentration comparable with that obtained with aluminium hydroxide, but similar absorption of aluminium resulted. Sucralfate may be the phosphate binder of choice in patients with uraemia and peptic ulceration; care should be taken in using large doses of the drug in patients with normal renal function.