Brand Name
Dukoral
Common Name
cholera and travellers' diarrhea vaccine (oral, inactivated)
In this drug factsheet:
DIN (Drug Identification Number)| 02247208 | DUKORAL ORAL VACCINE |
How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
This medication belongs to the class of medications called vaccines. It is used to help prevent travellers' diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and cholera in adults and children 2 years of age and older. It is recommended for people traveling to areas with a high risk of cholera or travellers' diarrhea.
This vaccine works by introducing very small amounts of dead cholera bacteria and nontoxic components of cholera toxin into the body. This allows the body to make antibodies against the bacteria and toxin so that if the bacteria does get into the body and produce the toxin, they are immediately attacked by the body's own defense system. The cholera toxin is very similar to the toxin produced by ETEC, the bacteria that causes most cases of traveller's diarrhea. Therefore, the body's defenses against cholera toxin will also work against the ETEC toxin. Protection begins within one week of finishing the first course of immunization.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than the ones listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not suggested it.
How should I use this medication?
To prevent cholera: Adults and children over 6 years of age should receive 2 doses of the vaccine at least 1 week apart and no more than 6 weeks apart. The second dose should be given at least 1 week before departure. Protection lasts for 2 years. A single booster dose can be given if the last dose was given between 2 years and 5 years earlier.
Children from 2 to 6 years of age should receive 3 doses, 1 to 6 weeks apart. The third dose should be given at least 1 week before departure. Protection lasts for 6 months. A single booster dose can be given if the last dose was given between 6 months and 5 years earlier.
To prevent travellers' diarrhea caused by ETEC: Adults and children 2 years of age and over should receive 2 doses, 1 to 6 weeks apart. The second dose should be given at least 1 week before departure. Protection lasts for three months. A booster dose can be given if the last dose was given between 3 months and 5 years earlier.
The vaccine must be taken by mouth. Avoid food and drink for 1 hour before and after taking the vaccine. Do not take any other medication for 1 hour before and 1 hour after taking the vaccine.
To prepare the vaccine:
Step 1: Dissolve the powder from the sachet in a glass of cool water (approximately 150 mL or 5 oz). Do not use any other liquid. For adults and children 6 years and older, proceed to Step 2. For children 2 years to 6 years old, discard half of the mixture and proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: Shake the small glass vial that contains the vaccine to mix it well.
Step 3: Open the vial and add the vaccine to the liquid in the glass. Stir well and drink immediately. If the mixture is not drunk immediately, it should be kept at room temperature and consumed within 2 hours of mixing.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as the severity of the condition, body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor. It is very important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
It is important to use this medication exactly as recommend by your doctor or pharmacist. If you forget a dose, it may be taken any time within 6 weeks. If it has been more that 6 weeks since your last dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Before mixing, store the vaccine in the refrigerator. Do not allow it to freeze. The vaccine may be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks on one occasion only. The sodium hydrogen carbonate sachet may be stored separately at room temperature if desired. After mixing, the vaccine should be consumed within 2 hours.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
The vaccine is a whitish suspension in a single-dose glass vial. The sodium hydrogen carbonate is supplied as white effervescent granules with a raspberry flavour, which should be dissolved in a glass of water. Each dose of vaccine is supplied with one sachet of sodium hydrogen carbonate.
Sodium hydrogen carbonate: one sachet (5.6 g) contains: sodium hydrogen carbonate, citric acid, sodium carbonate, saccharin sodium, sodium citrate, raspberry flavour.
Vaccine: V. cholerae O1 Inaba classic strain; V. cholerae O1 Inaba El Tor strain; V. cholerae O1 Ogawa classic strain; V. cholerae O1 Ogawa classic strain; recombinant cholera toxin B subunit (rCTB). Nonmedicinal ingredients: sodium dihydrogen phosphate; disodium hydrogen phosphate; sodium chloride; water for injection to 3 mL.
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
Who should NOT take this medication?
This vaccine should not be used by anyone who:
- is allergic to any of the ingredients of the vaccine or sachet
- has an acute illness, including those accompanied by fever
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