Wilderness Medicine: Altitude Illness - Diamox (Acetazolamide)

Dr. Donner discusses the use of Acetazolamide (sold under the trade name Diamox) in the prevention and treatment of acute mountain sickness (AMS). This is video 4 of 17 of the high altitude illness (altitude sickness) series.
MedWild provides wilderness medicine, wilderness survival, and search and rescue instructional videos on a variety of topics: high altitude illness, traveler’s diarrhea, shoulder dislocation and reduction, shelter building, bushcraft, space blankets, hypothermia, medical kits, survival kits, frostbite, snake bites, fire craft, ropes and knots, orthopedic injuries and sam splints, cold water immersion and more.
Instructor: Howard Donner, MD
Co-Author “Field Guide to Wilderness Medicine”
Served as a physician for Denali National Park, Himalayan Rescue Association, and the 1998 NOVA Everest expedition. Served as a medical operations consultant for NASA for over 5 years. Whitewater rafting guide, commercial pilot, and certified flight instructor.
Recommended Audience: Outdoor enthusiasts and health care professionals including physicians, nurses, search and rescue teams, EMT, paramedics, ski patrol, corpsman, guides, instructors, wilderness first responders, and anyone else interested in educational and “how to” videos on wilderness emergency medicine, travel medicine, search and rescue, expedition medicine, backcountry first aid, wilderness survival training, and military medicine. Dr. Donner’s draws on his extensive backcountry and travel experience to highlight key signs, symptoms, treatments, and improvised techniques and skills.
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Produced by Kyle Allred PA-C
Please Note: MedWild Videos are for educational purposes and not intended to replace recommendations by your health care provider.

[@MedWild]

See the instructor in this video (Dr. Howard Donner) give presentations and teach a variety of hands-on workshops at the upcoming National CME Conference on Wilderness Medicine. All medical specialities are welcome! wilderness-medicine.com/cme-conferences/santa-fe/

[@MedWild]

You are welcome- thanks for watching.

[@ianchungchuanhin9501]

And I am planning to trek Everest Base Camp + Island Peak this September.

[@walkseeworld888]

hike 10 day on 4350 Metter Mt my weight 160 pound how much should i take this medicines? (1/2 - 125 mg twice a day?) thanks you.

[@ianchungchuanhin9501]

Hi, I took diamox 125mg 2 times a day during my trip trekking annapurna circuilt. But on the last day before Thorung La pass I took 250mg dosage . I felt fatigue during the climb thru the pass and I wonder if I should've taken it since I am a G6PD deficient sufferer.

[@Kris4868]

hi there. i am actually in Peru at this very moment and i am flying all the way up to Cuzco (3,400 meters / 11,200 ft) tomorrow morning from Lima. I was prescribed Acetazolamide 250mg tablets just like you mentioned, however the bottle says take one tablet, twice a day. I will be in Cusco for a couple of days before hiking to Machu Picchu, but i wanted an extra opinion on the dosage since mine is telling me to take two whole tablets. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[@CharlieHarper-d4x]

I'm going in sept, what was your dose ? Did it help?

[@ashleys9711]

Can you take a multivitamin while taking Diamox?

[@artsoto137]

A travel medical center advised me to take Diamox when I travel to La Paz Bolivia which is 13,325 ft in elevation, the difference is I'm not climbing anything, I'm arriving directly to their airport, I've been there twice before and always get altitude sickness for 2-3 days, the flight is about 10hrs total, will taking diamox affect me on the flight, should I even take this or suck it up, I'm scared of the side effects when being on a plane and being on a third world country that would limit any medical resources. Thank you

[@MedWild]

Thanks for the question. Always discuss your specific situation with your medical provider, but for many people, taking acetazolamide prior to flying into places like La Paz or Cuzco (above 11,000 feet) is very helpful in minimizing altitude symptoms. Some experts recommend beginning the medication the previous day, while others believe taking prior to one's first night at altitude is sufficient. When I fly into places like La Paz, I begin acetazolamide after I land (to avoid frequent trips to the bathroom) and typically continue it for 3 days or so after arriving (assuming I am not traveling to higher altitudes). Assuming no sulfa allergy, side effects are typically minimal and resolve quickly after discontinuing the medication. Again, discuss with your medical provider, and have a great trip.

[@artsoto137]

Awesome, thank you, we leave tonight, I started taking it Friday morning, makes me feel a little sluggish, hopefully when we land tomorrow morning, it'll kick in to minimize sickness, thank you for replying