If you're planning a trip to high-altitude destinations like Colorado, Peru, or Nepal, altitude sickness might be on your mind. As a company based in Colorado (maker of Zaca) with over a decade of experience helping people conquer high-altitude challenges, we understand the altitude struggle real well. Altitude sickness can turn an exciting mountain adventure into a miserable experience, but the right medicines and tablets can make all the difference.
Altitude sickness affects up to 75% of people who ascend to elevations above 8,000 feet. The symptoms range from mild headaches and nausea to severe conditions requiring immediate medical attention. While acclimatization is the body's natural response to reduced oxygen levels, certain medications can help prevent or treat altitude-related symptoms effectively.
This comprehensive guide we created will walk you through the best altitude sickness medicine tablets available, how they work, and how to take them. We'll also share expert insights from our years of experience helping adventurers, athletes, and travelers navigate high-altitudes.
Whether searching for the best altitude sickness medicine tablets, anti-altitude sickness tablets, or high altitude sickness tablets ─ altitude sickness can be treated with prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications in tablet form.
Altitude sickness medicine tablets are an effective and easy way to prevent the symptoms of altitude sickness from happening in the first place, or minimizing the symptoms.
Each altitude sickness tablet works in a different way to help your body adapt more quickly to higher altitudes. The three medications have been around for decades and have been used by climbers and hikers around the world to prevent altitude sickness.
Keep reading to find out the three best altitude sickness tablets available.
Altitude sickness is caused by the decreased amount of oxygen available at higher elevations, making it difficult on the body.
At sea level, one liter of air contains about 20% oxygen (O2). At 8,000 feet (3,657 meters) above sea level in a place like Aspen Colorado, the same volume of air may only contain 15% oxygen.¹
These changes in oxygen content affect people differently depending on their health, age, how they are accustomed to living at high elevations, and other factors.
If you climb too quickly or travel too high, you might get altitude sickness from the lower oxygen levels, physiological stress, and increased respiration.
Altitude sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is a general term for the symptoms in people who ascend to high altitudes too rapidly.
The symptoms of altitude sickness are many and varied. Altitude sickness symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and shortness of breath. Some people also experience fatigue, insomnia and loss of appetite.
Common symptoms of altitude sickness include:
Altitude sickness can be helped by things such as altitude sickness tablets, oxygen therapy, altitude supplements, or descending to a lower altitude. We specifically deep dive into the best altitude sickness tablets to help with the symptoms of altitude sickness.
If you are planning a trip to a high altitude destination or climb, then chances are that you will need some kind of altitude assistance. Altitude sickness can easily run your trip and cause agonizing effects on the body.
Altitude sickness tablets, or anti altitude sickness tablets, are one of the best options to take. With years of altitude research, we break down the best altitude sickness tablets in medicine backed by science.
Here's the 3 Best Altitude Sickness Tablets:
Acetazolamide is an effective medication for preventing, treating, or reducing altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness (AMS). Diamox is a brand-name version of acetazolamide.
With numerous research done on acetazolamide, it is show to increase oxygenation, respiration, and high altitude acclimatization.
Acetazolamide altitude sickness benefits and research:
Acetazolamide, or Diamox, is one of the best altitude sickness tablets with the scientific research to back it up for prevention.
As a prescription medicine, it is not an OTC drug, so you'll need a doctor to prescribe you acetazolamide.
Acetazolamide (Diamox) dosage for altitude sickness: CDC recommends taking 125mg every 12 hours, for a total of 250mg a day. Start the day before encountering high altitude and continue through ascent. You must follow doctor or medical professional recommendations.
Dexamethasone is a steroid that reduces inflammation throughout your body that's commonly used to treat severe allergies, arthritis, asthma and other inflammatory conditions.¹⁰
According to the CDC, Dexamethasone is shown to be effective for acute mountain sickness AMS (altitude sickness) and therefore one of the other best altitude sickness tablets.² As a steroid, it does require a doctor's prescription though.
Dexamethasone altitude sickness benefits and research:
Due to the study comparing dexamethasone and acetazolamide, we conclude dexamethasone is best altitude sickness tablets out of all three listed. It was shown to have significantly better results than acetazolamide as a prevention against acute mountain sickness.
Dexamethasone dosage for altitude sickness: The studies show 4 mg every 6-8 hours while during high altitude exposure to be most effect. Consult with your doctor on what exact dosage to take.
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can help ease the symptoms of altitude sickness.
With swelling and inflammation triggered on the body from high altitudes, Ibuprofen helps bring relief.⁶
Further making Ibuprofen the best altitude sickness tablets is that they are over-the-counter (OTC), so you can get them anytime you need making it convenient.
Ibuprofen altitude sickness benefits and research:
Ibuprofen appears to have great results for altitude sickness. And what's best about Ibuprofen is that as an OTC drug, you can pick it up at the drug store like Walgreens when traveling or before climbing.
Ibuprofen dosage for altitude sickness: The Stanford study showed that 600 milligrams of ibuprofen 3 times within the day of hiking gave results. The authors also say that taking more than 600 milligrams might provide better prevention.⁷ Go by doctor or medical advice though, as high doses of ibuprofen can have negative effects including gastrointestinal and kidney problems.
This concludes the three best altitude sickness tablets ─ which include Acetazolamide, Dexamethasone, and Ibuprofen. For natural supplement tablets, refer below.
Zaca is a natural supplement first popularized in the high altitude mountains of Colorado. These fast-acting chewable contain a 4-herb blend of powerful ingredients to help you rehydrate, replenish, and recover. Glutathione, a key amino acid in Zaca, has been shown to be depleted at high altitudes.¹⁴ Simply take 2-4 chewables a day to give your body the nutritional support it needs on high altitude journeys. Try Zaca Chewable Tablets today and feel your best on high altitude adventures.
The most commonly prescribed medication for preventing and treating altitude sickness is Acetazolamide (Diamox). Dexamethasone is another prescription option, often used when Acetazolamide cannot be taken or for more severe symptoms. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help alleviate headaches, a common symptom of altitude sickness. According to Dr. David Gray in Breckenridge, Colorado (elevation 9,600 feet), as many as 30% of visitors experience altitude sickness. That means around a third of travelers to higher-altitude locations may feel its effects. Whether you’re trekking mountains or flying to a high-altitude vacation destination, there are effective medications available to prevent and manage altitude sickness.
Natural prevention methods focus on acclimatization, such as gradually ascending to higher altitudes, staying hydrated throughout the day (half body weight in ounces), avoiding alcohol, avoiding strenuous activity upon, and natural herbs to support the body. Some individuals also find certain supplements, such as the herb blend in Zaca chewables, beneficial for supporting the body's natural response to altitude changes.
No, it is not safe to take prescription altitude sickness medications like Acetazolamide or Dexamethasone without consulting a healthcare professional. These medications have potential side effects and contraindications. Always seek medical advice before taking any prescription medication for altitude sickness. For over-the-counter options, Ibuprofen can be a good alternative for managing altitude sickness symptoms, and it does not require a prescription.
For preventative use, Acetazolamide (Diamox) should be taken 24-48 hours before ascending to high altitudes. If symptoms have already appeared, it can help reduce their severity within a few hours, though full relief may take longer. In severe cases, Dexamethasone may act more quickly to reduce brain and lung swelling. It is important to discuss the appropriate timing and dosage with a healthcare professional to know how the medication works effectively for your specific situation.
While no over-the-counter medication is specifically approved to prevent altitude sickness, certain options can effectively manage its symptoms. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is frequently recommended for alleviating headaches associated with mild altitude sickness. Research, such as a study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, has indicated that ibuprofen can help reduce the incidence of altitude sickness itself, not just its symptoms. For nausea, over-the-counter antiemetics like meclizine (Bonine, Dramamine Less Drowsy) might offer some relief.
Common side effects of Acetazolamide (Diamox) include increased urination, numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes, altered taste (especially for carbonated drinks), nausea, and dizziness. Dexamethasone can have more significant side effects, including mood changes, insomnia, and increased blood sugar, and is generally reserved for more severe cases or as an alternative to Acetazolamide. Consult your doctor for a complete list of potential side effects.
SOURCES:
1. Oxygen Levels at Altitude
https://wildsafe.org/resources/ask-the-experts/altitude-safety-101/oxygen-levels/
2. CDC High-Altitude Travel & Altitude Illness
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/noninfectious-health-risks/high-altitude-travel-and-altitude-illness
3.The use of acetazolamide for the prevention of high-altitude illness
https://academic.oup.com/jtm/article/27/6/taz106/5693888
4. The effects of acetazolamide on the ventilatory response to high altitude hypoxia
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1541140/
5. Acetazolamide
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetazolamide
6. High Altitude Got You Down? Try Ibuprofen
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2012/03/21/149064059/high-altitude-got-you-down-try-ibuprofen
7. Ibuprofen decreases likelihood of altitude sickness, researchers find
https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2012/03/ibuprofen-decreases-likelihood-of-altitude-sickness-researchers-find.html
8. Ibuprofen Can Prevent Altitude Sickness
https://healthland.time.com/2012/03/20/ibuprofen-can-prevent-altitude-sickness/
9. Altitude Sickness Prevention with Ibuprofen Relative to Acetazolamide
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30419226/
10. Dexamethasone tablets and liquid
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/dexamethasone-tablets-and-liquid/
11. Dexamethasone in the Treatment of Acute Mountain Sickness
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM198912213212504
12. Dexamethasone for prevention and treatment of acute mountain sickness
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3190622/
13. Multimodal analysis of the effects of dexamethasone on high-altitude cerebral oedema: protocol for a pilot study
https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-019-3681-0
14. Effect of high altitude (7,620 m) exposure on glutathione and related metabolism in rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11320641/
15. A randomized trial of dexamethasone and acetazolamide for acute mountain sickness prophylaxis
https://www.amjmed.com/article/0002-9343(87)90937-5/fulltext
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