Should I take Diamox to prevent altitude sickness?
Acetazolamide, or Diamox, is the standard medical prophylaxis agent for high altitude illness. The medication is effective in preventing acute mountain sickness (AMS), high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), and high altitude cerebral edema (HACE).
How quickly does Diamox work for altitude sickness?
To prevent altitude sickness, start taking acetazolamide 1 to 2 days before you start to climb. Continue taking it while you are climbing and for at least 48 hours after you have reached your final altitude. You may need to continue taking this medication while staying at the high altitude to control your symptoms.
How long does Diamox stay in your system?
Acetazolamide is fairly rapidly absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract with peak plasma concentrations occurring about 2 hours after administration by mouth. It has been estimated to have a plasma half-life of about 4 hours.
What altitude should I take Diamox?
Prophylactic dose of Diamox is ½ of a 250mg tablet (125 mg) twice a day. Use of Diamox will not mask the symptoms of altitude illness if it is to occur. Start taking Diamox same day or the day before ascent to 10,000 ft. (3000m), continue it through your ascent to higher altitudes and stop when youstart descending.
What does acetazolamide do to your body?
Acetazolamide decreases the pressure in the eye. Acetazolamide is also used to reduce the severity and duration of symptoms (upset stomach, headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, drowsiness, and fatigue) of altitude (mountain) sickness.
Is Diamox worth taking?
Several studies have confirmed that trekkers who take low doses of Diamox, in conjunction with a good acclimatization protocol, are less likely to develop mountain sickness, and if they do, it’s usually less severe. Diamox is used as a preventative measure (prophylaxis) and does not cure altitude sickness.
What does Diamox do to your body?
What is Diamox? Diamox reduces the activity of a protein in your body called carbonic anhydrase. Blocking this protein can help reduce the build-up of certain fluids in the body. Diamox is used in people with certain types of glaucoma to reduce the amount of fluid in the eye, which decreases pressure inside the eye.
Do you lose weight on Diamox?
Patients underwent weight loss on treatment with acetazolamide during the 24-week period. Weight loss of 3.3% ± 0.5% (mild) was observed among patients having a 1-grade change in papilloedema and 6.2% ± 0.6% was associated with a 3-grade (marked) change in papilloedema.
How do you take acetazolamide for altitude?
Take one 125 mg tablet twice a day. Begin this medicine 24 hours before arriving at high altitude and continue for 48 hours while at high altitude. You may continue taking Diamox up to 48 hours longer if your symptoms indicate the need for additional pills.
Does Diamox cause weight loss?
Several clinical studies have reported weight loss as an adverse effect of acetazolamide, and it has shown some beneficial effects in treating psychosis (hence no risk of increasing the primary illness).
What is the best medication for altitude sickness?
Medical treatment for altitude sickness may include oxygen, hyperbaric treatment, and medicines such as acetazolamide ( Diamox, Diamox Sequels) and/or dexamethasone ( AK-Dex, Ocu-Dex) as well as over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications and antinausea medications. However, definitive treatment is for the patient to go to a lower altitude.
What is the best thing for altitude sickness?
Certain prescription medications, including acetazolamide, dexamethasone, and nifedipine, can help relieve altitude sickness symptoms. It is important to listen to your body when traveling to high-altitude locations, since altitude sickness can be serious.
What happens when you stop Diamox?
Thus if you begin taking a medication with a half-life of 6 hours, on the second day (after 24 hours) the rate of intake of the drug will approximately equal the rate of elimination. So based on a 3 9 hour half life, that means 12 to 36 hours after you stop taking Diamox, it will be completely out of your system.
How do you cure altitude sickness?
Over-the-counter pain relievers. These can help ease altitude sickness-related headaches.