CARAFATE-- WHEN AM I SUPPOSED TO TAKE?

So…. My dr has me taking 2 tsp of Carafate 4 times a day. Heres  my problem. The bottle says to:              Take Carafate on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.            Take Carafate  1 hour before or 1 hour after antacids, iron, or vitamins/minerals.   When am I supposed to take this medicine???? Im sooo confused! Below is my daily schedule       MELISSA’S POST OP SCHEDULE 8:00 - 8:30 -- Breakfast CALCIUM, CYMBALTA 30MG, VITAMIN D
9:00 - 10:00 -- Water - 8oz. 
10:00 - 11:00 -- Snack (shake)MULTIVIT, B-50, BIOTIN, B-12
11:30 - 12:30 -- Water - 8oz 
1:00 - 1:30 -- Lunch CALCIUM, CYMBALTA 30MG, NEXIUM
2:00 - 2:30 -- Water 8oz. 
3:00 - 4:00 -- Snack (shake)  MULTIVIT, B-50, PROBIOTIC
4:30 - 5:30 -- Water - 8oz 
6:00 - 6:30 -- Dinner CALCIUM, CYMBALTA 30MG, VITAMIN D
7:00 - 8:00 -- Water - 8oz 
8:30 - 9:00 -- Snack (shake) 
9:30 - 10:30 -- Water 8oz.  IRON, VITAMIN C, TOPAMAX

You should be able to take it while you are dong your fluids.  Carafate should be taken on an empty stomach to ensure it correctly coats the stomach, since you have a hole in your stomach that allow liquids to quickly empty your stomach you can probably do it 15 or som minutes after taking a drink.  This is what I do and it has worked good enough to allow my ulcers to heal.

thanks paul

That is a really tough one.  One hr before meals.   But carafate may prevent absorption of vitamins and minerals. So make sure you take it at least 2 hrs before you take any really essential supplements i.e. cymbalta, iron.

The instructions I received for my Carafate was four times a day - no drinking/eating for one hour before taking it and for one hour after taking it. I only had to take it for the first two weeks after surgery. I had to set an alarm early in the morning (like five am or something like that) to start on my schedule in order to get all of my water, carafate, food, and vitamins in. It may have been easier for me though because my plan didnt involve use of any snacks / protein shakes. I was only having to juggle it inbetween three meals a day, my water, and vitamins. Without the scheduled snacks, it would be a lot easier. I wish I had suggestions.

Good luck!