Cholera vaccine and Medihaler-Epi

• Generic Name: cholera vaccine, live
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Vaxchora

Cholera is a bacterial infection that can cause severe, life-threatening diarrhea. Cholera is caused by coming into contact with water or food contaminated by feces infected with Vibrio cholerae bacteria.

Cholera is common in areas where sewage and drinking water are not adequately treated to remove contaminants. Cholera spreads easily in areas where there is poor hygiene and sanitation. Cholera outbreaks often occur in areas of overcrowding, among refugees fleeing from political or natural emergencies, or in other situations where there is limited access to safe drinking water and adequate toileting facilities.

Cholera is rare in the US and other developed countries with advanced water and sewage treatment methods. It is more common to become infected during international travel to areas where cholera often occurs, such as Africa, Southeast Asia, and Haiti.

You can also become infected by eating food contaminated as a result of handling by a person infected with cholera. Most cholera cases that occur in the US result from eating seafood that a traveler has brought from another country. Eating raw or undercooked shellfish may also be a source of cholera, especially shellfish from the Gulf of Mexico.

Most people with cholera have no symptoms, but the main symptom is sudden diarrhea, which can begin within 2 hours to 5 days after a person is infected. If diarrhea is severe, the body can quickly lose vital fluids and electrolytes, which can lead to dehydration or shock. If cholera is not treated quickly, death can occur within a matter of hours. Even without symptoms, infected people can still have cholera bacteria in their stools for up to 2 weeks.

With certain precautions, cholera can be easily treated or prevented. The cholera vaccine is used to help prevent this disease in people who plan to travel to places where cholera is common.

This vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of live cholera bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Cholera vaccine is for use in adults ages 18 through 64 years old.

Like any vaccine, the cholera vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

• Generic Name: epinephrine
• Dosage Forms: Inhalation Aerosol
• Other Brand Names: Adrenalin, Auvi-Q, Epinephrinesnap-EMS, EpiPen 2-Pak, EpiPen JR 2-Pak, EPIsnap, Symjepi, Auvi-Q Auto-injector, Primatene Mist Inhaler, Adrenaclick, EpiPen, Twinject, Primatene Mist

Butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine combination is used to relieve symptoms of tension (or muscle contraction) headaches.

Butalbital belongs to the group of medicines called barbiturates. Barbiturates act in the central nervous system (CNS) to produce their effects.

Acetaminophen is used to relieve pain and reduce fever in patients. It does not become habit-forming when taken for a long time. But acetaminophen may cause other unwanted effects when taken in large doses, including liver damage.

When butalbital is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. However, people who have continuing pain should not let the fear of dependence keep them from using narcotics to relieve their pain. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects if treatment is stopped suddenly. However, severe withdrawal side effects can usually be prevented by gradually reducing the dose over a period of time before treatment is stopped completely.

Caffeine is a CNS stimulant that is used with pain relievers to increase their effect. It has also been used for migraine headaches. However, caffeine can also cause physical dependence when it is used for a long time. This may lead to withdrawal (rebound) headaches when you stop taking it.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.