High Altitude meds and shots

Scott Alexander

Heading to Peru in September for a little high altitude "training" on the Inca trail, Machu Picchu, Cuzco and Lake Titicaca (heh heh ), and one of my friends coming with has already decided he's partaking in some high altitude meds intended to prevent altitude sickness, as well as the multitude of shots.

Doctor/medical people, do altitude meds actually work? What are the potential side effects; are they worth it?

Also, which shots are necessary for such a trip?

All info is welcome!

 

jaleslie

I did a little research on this in the last year too.  Hiked up to the top of Mt. Yale (14,1XX ft) with my two oldest boys and their youth group.  And then took the whole family (5 kids and wife) skiing in Colorado.  

My take home message was that the key to preventing symptoms of altitude sickness is not to gain too much altitude too fast.  We had about 20 people hike to the summit of Mt. Yale and not one of us got sick....not even a headache complaint. We spent first night at 8,500ft and then hiked to 11,500 for high camp for 3 nights.  Summit day was on the last of those three days.  We drove from San Antonio to the trailhead at 8,500 ft, spending the night at around 5,000 ft the night before.  With that gradual rise, no one got sick.  

We drove from San Antonio to aroudn 5,000 and then drove up to the ski resort the next day.  One of my kids got altitude sickness.  

So, if you can control the "how fast are we going to get to high altitude" (>8,000 ft is where the problems usually start if you're not acclimated) factor, you'll probably be OK.  Increase fluid intake probably helps. 

Medication-wise, acetazolamide is an older diuretic (Diuril) than can help if you're going to have to ascend quickly or are flying directly into high altitude.  I've never used it though....or prescribed it.  

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6753/diamox-oral/details

I'm sure Al T. will chime in.....he's the haus expert on many things, especially altitude changes, etc...

Bill Manard

I have prescribed acetazolamide, but only for people flying directly into high altitude, as Jeff says. Generally, if one is going directly to 10k feet or higher, it isn't a terrible idea, and most people have tolerable side effects. I've not used it personally, though, and YMMV. I've also never prescribed it for someone doing any real exertion at that altitude. If one can acclimate for a day or few at 8k feet, then the meds probably are superfluous.

As for immunizations, cdc.gov/travel is my go-to resource.

Scott Alexander

We'll be flying into Cusco (11,000ft) two days before we start the real physical exertion of the four day hike of the inca trail.

Starting alt: 2720m/8920ft
Highest alt: 4217m/13780ft
Walking distance: 45km/26 miles
Longest day: day 2, approx 16km/9.9 miles

Details at llamapath.com/4-day-private-inca-trail-itinerary.html