I can't remember ANYTHING before my coffee...

March 21, 2008 9:23 AM

I messed up the schedule for my oral typhoid vaccine (Vivotif). I've taken two out of four pills. Should I continue or start over?

I'm supposed to take them every two days, in the morning, an hour before eating a meal. I took one on Tuesday morning, forgot yesterday morning, then remembered this morning and took the second pill after eating a light breakfast (fruit and tea).

If I take the other two Sunday and Tuesday morning as prescribed, will I be protected? Or should I scrap it and start over?

The travel clinic where I got them says I should start over, but they have made it clear that they are in it for the money... I've done several Google searches and come up with nothing. Thank you.

posted by letitrain to Health & Fitness (7 answers total)

Probably listen to them. They're in it for the money, which means not getting sued because they gave you bad medical advice. It seems fairly evident that you're looking for permission to not take them as indicated. If that's the case, only do so if a medical professional says it's okay, not just somebody on the internets. Call your physician, talk to your pharmacist, call another travel clinic.
posted by gauchodaspampas at 10:19 AM on March 21, 2008

I would start over. You're taking a live attenuated vaccine, which means it's alive and needs to replicate inside you to work. You took one as directed, the second was probably destroyed to some extent since you took it after eating.

Put your coffee cup out before you go to bed and leave the pill next to it.
posted by sero_venientibus_ossa at 11:47 AM on March 21, 2008

gauchodaspampas, I'm definitely looking for permission to not purchase a new course... money is tight.

I'm rolling my eyes a little bit about taking all this medication in the first place. I've been to Mexico many times and never had an issue eating off of some seriously sketchy food carts. How much worse can Panama's taco stands be?
posted by letitrain at 6:20 PM on March 21, 2008

Nothing can survive deep frying. Something good to keep in mind if you're eating from sketchy carts abroad.
posted by sero_venientibus_ossa at 7:06 PM on March 21, 2008

Maybe a pharmacist can help you, and if they can't perhaps they can refer to to someone/some place where you can get free advice over the phone
posted by bitteroldman at 9:12 PM on March 21, 2008

You should restart the vaccine if you'd like to be protected against typhoid.

Some medicines are more flexible than others. To protect you, Vivotif needs to dissolve in your intestine. That's why take the refrigerated dose on an empty stomach with cold or cool water. If the water is too hot or the path to your intestine is slowed by food digestion, the vaccine can't get to the intestine fast enough to work.

Sorry, I know that's not the answer you were looking to find. Perhaps this is more helpful. There is also an injectable vaccine that may be a better fit for you.

I'm not a doc and not a pharmacist - you may want to stop by the pharmacy and ask. Depending on where you live your pharmacist may be able to give you the vaccination shot. Another economical option is your city or county Health Department. They don't want you to come home and spread the typhoid.
posted by 26.2 at 1:02 PM on March 22, 2008

If your location is correct in your profile, then your county does provide typhoid vaccines and other travel vaccines. They have both the oral and injectable typhoid.

Travel safe!
posted by 26.2 at 1:30 PM on March 22, 2008