Drug Interactions between cholera vaccine, live and rifampin

GENERALLY AVOID: Concurrent use of rifampin in patients who ingest alcohol daily may result in an increased incidence of hepatotoxicity. The increase in hepatotoxicity may be due to an additive risk as both alcohol and rifampin are individually associated with this adverse reaction. However, the exact mechanism has not been established.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration with food may reduce oral rifampin absorption, increasing the risk of therapeutic failure or resistance. In a randomized, four-period crossover phase I study of 14 healthy male and female volunteers, the pharmacokinetics of single dose rifampin 600 mg were evaluated under fasting conditions and with a high-fat meal. Researchers observed that administration of rifampin with a high-fat meal reduced rifampin peak plasma concentration (Cmax) by 36%, nearly doubled the time to reach peak plasma concentration (Tmax) but reduced overall exposure (AUC) by only 6%.

MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer of oral forms of rifampin recommends administration on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before or 2 hours after meals. Patients should be encouraged to avoid alcohol or strictly limit their intake. Patients who use alcohol and rifampin concurrently or have a history of alcohol use disorder may require additional monitoring of their liver function during treatment with rifampin.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Coadministration of oral cholera vaccine with food or an oral beverage may impair its efficacy. The formulations of both the inactivated and live, attenuated oral cholera vaccines (Dukoral and Vaxchora, respectively) are acid-labile, and must be administered with a buffer. According to the manufacturer, eating and drinking may interfere with the protective effect of the buffer. However, clinical data are not available.

MANAGEMENT: It is recommended that patients avoid eating or drinking for 60 minutes before and after administration of either Dukoral or Vaxchora oral cholera vaccines.