Effect of Acetazolamide on Acute Mountain Sickness

Abstract

The influence of acetazolamide on acute mountain sickness was tested in a double-blind study of forty-three volunteers given acetazolamide or placebo, 250 mg every eight hours, for 32 hours before and 40 hours after abrupt transportation from sea level to 12,800 feet. In response to hypoxia, control subjects hyperventilated and developed mild respiratory alkalosis with increased blood pH and reduced carbon dioxide tension and bicarbonate within eight hours after arrival at altitude. These changes persisted over the five days of the study.