Prevention of acute mountain sickness depends on ascent rate and drug dose
Many drugs have been used to prevent acute mountain sickness, but data
on efficacy and harm are lacking. Dumont et al (p 267) systematically searched randomised trials on the prevention of acute
mountain sickness. After reviewing 33 such trials, they suggest that
dexamethasone 8-16 mg or acetazolamide 750 mg should be considered for
prophylaxis when ascent is faster than 500 metres a day. Contrary to
widespread belief, acetazolamide 500 mg is not efficacious. When the
rate of ascent is lower than 500 metres a day, prophylaxis is not
worth while.
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- Efficacy and harm of pharmacological prevention of acute mountain sickness: quantitative systematic review
- Lionel Dumont, Chahé Mardirosoff, and Martin R Tramèr
BMJ 2000 321: 267-272.[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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