Be sure to speak with your healthcare professional about DUKORAL® before you travel to an at-risk area. You do not need a prescription if you are taking DUKORAL® to prevent enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)-diarrhea, unless you live in Québec. DUKORAL® is available at your local pharmacy or travel clinic.
If you are taking DUKORAL® for cholera, it does require a prescription.
DUKORAL® is not recommended for use in pregnancy. If you are pregnant, your healthcare professional will discuss the possible risks and benefits of taking DUKORAL® during pregnancy.
It is also not recommended for travellers who have a fever or an acute gastrointestinal illness. If you have diarrhea or a fever, you should postpone taking DUKORAL® until the illness has passed. However, you may take the vaccine if you have a mild illness, such as a cold.
People who have an allergy to any ingredient of DUKORAL® or its container, or to formaldehyde, should not take the DUKORAL® vaccine.
Protection against diarrhea caused by heat-labile toxin-producing enterotoxigenic E. coli (LT-producing ETEC) and cholera begins about 1 week after the last dose taken.
For diarrhea caused by ETEC:
• If you have taken DUKORAL® in the last 3 months to 5 years, a single dose will renew your protection for 3 months.
• A single-dose DUKORAL® format is available from your pharmacist and should be taken at least one week before you travel.
For cholera:
• Children 2 to 6 Years: If your child received their last dose of DUKORAL® between 6 months and 5 years before, one booster dose will be sufficient to renew their protection.
• Adults and Children 6 Years and Older: If you or your child received your/their last dose of DUKORAL® between 2 and 5 years before, one booster dose will be sufficient to renew your/their protection.
The most common side effects of DUKORAL® are abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Some people who receive DUKORAL® may feel feverish. Allergic reactions can also occur.
Potentially serious side effects include dehydration and shortness of breath; however, these side effects occur very rarely.
You should see a healthcare professional if you experience any of these side effects.
DUKORAL® is intended to help prevent diarrhea caused by heat-labile toxin-producing enterotoxigenic E. coli (LT-producing ETEC) and cholera in adults and children 2 years of age and older. It does not treat enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)-diarrhea or cholera once it develops. Not everyone who gets vaccinated will be fully protected. Precautions to avoid contaminated food or water should be taken. Allergic reactions and side effects such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting may occur.