Vaxchora Vaccine

This vaccine is used to prevent cholera infection caused by a certain bacteria (V. cholerae). People can get infected by eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated. This vaccine is recommended for adults who are traveling to areas where this infection is common. Cholera vaccine contains live bacteria that have been weakened. It works by causing the body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the bacteria.

Vaccines may not fully protect everyone who receives them. While traveling, you should still avoid contaminated food or water (such as by drinking only bottled or boiled water, eating only fully cooked food). Ask your health care professional for more details.

Read all vaccine information available from your health care professional before taking the vaccine. If you have any questions, ask your health care professional.

Take this vaccine by mouth as directed by the health care professional. You should get this vaccine at least 10 days before traveling to at-risk areas. Do not eat or drink 1 hour before and 1 hour after taking this vaccine.

This vaccine should not be taken at the same time as a certain medication used to prevent malaria (chloroquine) or antibiotics taken by mouth or given by injection. Ask the health care professional for more details. See also Drug Interactions section.

Diarrhea may occur. If this effect lasts or gets worse, tell your health care professional promptly.

Remember that your health care professional has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your health care professional.

Contact the health care professional for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US you may report side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967. In Canada, you may call the Vaccine Safety Section at Public Health Agency of Canada at 1-866-844-0018.

Before you take this vaccine, tell the health care professional if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your health care professional for more details.

Before taking this vaccine, tell your health care professional your medical history, especially of: immune system disorders (such as due to HIV infection, certain cancers such as leukemia/lymphoma, cancer or radiation treatment).

A weakened form of the bacteria may pass in your stools for at least 7 days after taking this vaccine. Rarely, an infection may occur in people who are in close contact with you. To prevent the spread of infection, always wash your hands well after using the bathroom and before preparing/handling any food. Discuss the risks and benefits of this vaccine with your health care professional if you have family/household members with weakened immune systems (such as due to cancer).

During pregnancy, this vaccine should be taken only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your health care professional.

It is unknown if this vaccine passes into breast milk. Consult your health care professional before breast-feeding.

Store in the freezer. Protect from light. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your health care professional. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this vaccine are: drugs that weaken the immune system (including cyclosporine, tacrolimus, cancer chemotherapy, corticosteroids such as prednisone).

Avoid using certain medications to treat bacterial infections (antibiotics) by mouth or injection when receiving this vaccine. If you are currently using an antibiotic by mouth or injection, do not take this vaccine until at least 14 days after stopping the antibiotic.

Avoid taking a certain medication (chloroquine) used to prevent malaria when receiving this vaccine. Take this vaccine at least 10 days before you start treatment with chloroquine.

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Keep all regular medical and lab appointments.