Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Diamox, Day of, or day before?

One of my group is bringing some Diamox. He is not sure if he should start taking it the day before, or day of. His Doctor said it was up to him, but sided with the day of. Any ideas?

starting two days before gives the best result.

The information I have read and what I have done is to start 2 days prior.

My doc told me to start 2 days before the climb, & that's what I've always done. I've signed the summit register 16 times in the last 20 years, so it works for me.

The correct dose of any drug is the lowest dose that does the job. For many people, the correct dose of Diamox is none at all. If you are fit and take care of yourself properly during your climb, you may not need it.

If you don't know how your body tolerates altitude, you can bring some Diamox and take it if you need it. You don't have to take it before symptoms appear for it to be effective. I've only used it on Denali, but half of a 250mg tablet fixed my Cheyne-Stokes breathing in a matter of minutes.

If you know from previous experience that you don't tolerate altitude well, there is no harm in taking it before you start your climb. I just don't think you should take prescription drugs, especially when they were prescribed for someone else, without knowing that you need them.

I have found to two to three days prior work best. However, it depends on the individual. It has taken me the better part of six years to get a dosing schedule that works for me most of the time...key word is most.

Like other have said, a couple of days prior. As I understand Diamox as it relates to AMS prevention, the whole idea is to excrete bicarbonates from the kidneys which in turn makes the blood more acidic and speeds up breathing leading to quicker acclimitization. It's not a magic pill ... needs time to work right.

I have found luck starting it at least the day before your ascent, When i have waited to long (or simply forgot), say the night before, it's been too late, and takes another day to get settled. I'd say anything between 24-48 hrs.