I am hiking up Mt. Whitney in a week and am planning to take Diamox to avoid altitude sickness but I am wary of side effects.

l have only taken it once - & did not have any noticable side effects. l guess u could look on a drug web site to get the ''official'' side effects, but these may not be accurate at high altitude since the medication is really intended for teating eye conditions.

l have heard of altitude sickness at only 14,000ft, but I've never actually seen anyone have it. It is much more common to have sickness due to not enough hydration & from the unusual amount of exersion required to climb from 8,600ft (at the parking lot) to 14,500ft at the summit.

Good Luck

Diamox
Generic name: Acetazolamide


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why is Diamox prescribed?
Return to top

Diamox controls fluid secretion. It is used in the treatment of glaucoma (excessive pressure in the eyes), epilepsy (for both brief & unlocalized seizures), & fluid retention due to congestive heart failure or drugs. It is also used to prevent or relieve the symptoms of acute mountain sickness in climbers attempting a rapid climb & those who feel sick even though they r making a gradual climb.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Most important fact about Diamox
Return to top

This drug is considered to be a sulfa drug because of its chemical properties. Although rare, severe reactions have been reported with sulfa drugs. If u develop a rash, bruises, sore throat, or fever contact ur doctor immediately.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How should u take Diamox?
Return to top

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by ur doctor.

If u miss a dose.
Take it as soon as u remember. If it is almost time for ur next dose, skip the one u missed & go back to ur regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at the same time.
Storage instructions.
Store at room temperature.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What side effects may occur?
Return to top

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform ur doctor as soon as possible. Only ur doctor can determine if it is safe for u to continue taking Diamox.

Side effects may include:
Change in taste, diarrhea, increase in amount or frequency of urination, loss of appetite, nausea, ringing in the ears, tingling or pins & needles in hands or feet, vomiting

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why should Diamox not be prescribed?
Return to top

Your doctor will not prescribe this medication for u if ur sodium or potassium levels r low, or if u have kidney or liver disease, including cirrhosis.

Diamox should not be used as a long-term treatment for the type of glaucoma called chronic noncongestive angle-closure glaucoma.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Special warnings about Diamox
Return to top

Be very careful about taking high doses of aspirin if u r also taking Diamox. Effects of this combination can range from loss of appetite, sluggishness, & rapid breathing to unresponsiveness; the combination can be fatal.

If u have emphysema or other breathing disorders, use this drug with caution.

If u r taking Diamox to help in rapid ascent of a mountain, u must still come down promptly if u show signs of severe mountain sickness.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible food & drug interactions when taking Diamox
Return to top

If Diamox is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with ur doctor before combining Diamox with the following:

Amitriptyline

Amphetamines such as dextroamphetamine

Aspirin

Cyclosporine

Lithium

Methenamine

Oral diabetes drugs such as glyburide

Quinidine


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Special information if u r pregnant or breastfeeding
Return to top

The effects of Diamox during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If u r pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform ur doctor immediately. Diamox may appear in breast milk & could affect a nursing infant. If this medication is essential to ur health, ur doctor may advise u to discontinue breastfeeding until ur treatment with Diamox is finished.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recommended dosage for Diamox
Return to top

ADULTS


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This medication is available in both oral & injectable form. Dosages r for the oral form only.

Glaucoma

This medication is used as an addition to regular glaucoma treatment. Dosages for open-angle glaucoma range from 250 milligrams to 1 gram per 24 hours in 2 or more smaller doses. Your doctor will supervise ur dosage & watch the effect of this medication carefully if u r using it for glaucoma. In secondary glaucoma & before surgery in acute congestive (closed-angle) glaucoma, the usual dosage is 250 milligrams every 4 hours or, in some cases, 250 milligrams twice a day. Some people may take 500 milligrams to start, & then 125 or 250 milligrams every 4 hours. The injectable form of this drug is occasionally used in acute cases.

The usual dosage of Diamox Sequels (sustained-release capsules) is 1 capsule (500 milligrams) twice a day, usually in the morning & evening.

Your doctor may adjust the dosage, as needed.

Epilepsy

The daily dosage is 8 to 30 milligrams per 2.2 pounds of body weight in 2 or more doses. Typical dosage may range from 375 to 1,000 milligrams per day. Your doctor will adjust the dosage to suit ur needs; Diamox can be used with other anticonvulsant medication.

Congestive Heart Failure

The usual starting dosage to reduce fluid retention in people with congestive heart failure is 250 milligrams to 375 milligrams per day or 5 milligrams per 2.2 pounds of body weight, taken in the morning. Diamox works best when it is taken every other day—or 2 days on, 1 day off—for this condition.

Edema Due to Medication

The usual dose is 250 milligrams to 375 milligrams daily for 1 or 2 days, alternating with a day of rest.

Acute Mountain Sickness

The usual dose is 500 milligrams to 1,000 milligrams a day in 2 or more doses, using either tablets or sustained-release capsules. Doses of this medication r often begun 1 or 2 days before attempting to reach high altitudes.

CHILDREN


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The safety & effectiveness of Diamox in children have not been established. However, doses of 8 milligrams to 30 milligrams per 2.2 pounds of body weight have been used in children with various forms of epilepsy.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Overdosage
Return to top

There is no specific information available on Diamox overdose, but any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If u suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

l took Diamox when l went to Tibet and had no problems at all. It did not make me sleepy or lethargic like Dramamine does. My doctor, who prescribed it, does a lot of skiing in Colorado and takes it himself. For best results he recommended that l begin taking it 2 days before reaching high altitude. It is available generically and is pretty cheap.

Jim C.

The only side effect that l am aware of is peeing a lot (it is a diuretic) and a slight tingling in your toes and fingers.

l use diamox mainly as a sleep aid above 12K. It helps to regulate breathing. But all that peeing tends to interrupt my sleep.