Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. It attracts thousands of climbers each year.
An estimated 80,000 people attempt to summit Kilimanjaro each year. This makes it Tanzania’s top tourist attraction.
Most routes don’t require technical climbing skills. While the summit is at 5895m/19340ft, the trek begins at 4900m.
This makes for a total ascent of around 1,100m/3300ft. Despite the short ascent, the summit is at an extreme altitude.
Each year, over 500 people must be evacuated. An average of six to ten people die, mainly due to high-altitude issues including AMS.
In this article, we will dive into a deep discussion on How to use Diamox when Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in East, Africa.
What is Acute Mountain sickness?
It is generally agreed that going too high, too fast is a primary cause of altitude sickness.
Symptoms of altitude sickness usually develop between 6 and 24 hours after reaching altitudes of more than 3,000m (9,842 feet) above sea level.
These symptoms are similar to those of a hangover.
They include a throbbing headache, nausea, dizziness, lethargy, a feeling of chest pressure, especially when lying down, and shortness of breath.
As more people review their experience of Kilimanjaro, more of them mention the use of Diamox
Read more about Altitude Sickness on Kilimanjaro
Diamox: What You Should Know Before Use It?
Diamox is the brand name of a prescription drug known as acetazolamide.
The medication is used for a variety of purposes. It can prevent and treat AMS.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved acetazolamide in 1953.
The medication acidifies the blood, which causes an increase in respiration, thus accelerating acclimatization.
Studies have shown that taking Diamox at a dose of 250 mg every eight to twelve hours.
Before and during rapid ascent to altitude reduces the severity of acute mountain sickness (AMS).
How does Diamox work for altitude sickness?
Source: Tulane University – School of Medicine
Diamox work is a very fascinating way in the body.
Ninety percent of the blood’s carbon dioxide exists in a chemical called bicarbonate.
Diamox facilitates the body to excrete bicarbonate, which makes the blood more acidic.
When the blood gets acidic, the body believes that it has more carbon dioxide in it.
To get rid of this excess carbon dioxide, the body increases ventilation.
In other words, the user breathes deeper and faster, getting rid of the carbon dioxide, but also taking in more oxygen.
The medication works by acidifying the blood. This causes an increase in respiration.
Acetazolamide is a potent carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. It causes diuresis and renal bicarbonate loss.
This increases minute ventilation and oxygenation by enhancing central chemoreceptor output.
This enhances oxygen intake. Thus, it accelerates acclimatization.
It also improves sleep quality by attenuating periodic breathing.
It does this by inhibiting peripheral chemoreceptors.
This information comes from the National Library of Medicine.
Does Diamox help against altitude sickness?
Diamox helps to speed up the acclimatization process. It helps the body to adapt to higher altitudes.
The body instinctively breathes faster and deeper.
It does this to counteract the decrease in oxygen in the atmosphere.
This helps prevent and treat altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness (AMS).
The manufacturer of Diamox states that in their tests:
“pulmonary function (e.g., minute ventilation, expired vital capacity, and peak flow) is
The acetazolamide-treated group had higher rates of AMS and asymptomatic subjects. ”
Does Diamox treat altitude sickness?
The FDA has approved the use of Diamox to prevent and treat altitude sickness.
So, if you feel relief from AMS symptoms after taking Diamox, you are better.
The manufacturer recommends taking Diamox as a preventative measure, 24-48 hours before hours before rapid ascent and throughout your climb (until descent).
But, some people use it as a treatment, taking it only when symptoms of AMS arise.
Continue taking the medicine until you descend to a lower altitude without symptoms.
Diamox is used for other purposes, like treating glaucoma, epilepsy, and fluid retention.
So it’s worth noting that the drug may be doing other things in the body besides increasing pulmonary function
How long does Diamox take to work for altitude?
Diamox takes a while to work. Start taking it 24-48 hours before going to high altitude.
Continue for at least five days at higher altitude. The recommended dosage is 125 mg twice per day.
It’s recommended to continue to use it for the entire duration of the ascent.
Also, use it for at least 48 hours after you have reached your final altitude.
The recommendation by the Himalayan Rescue Association Medical Clinic is 125 mg.
Is it necessary to use Diamox while climbing Kilimanjaro?
It is a personal choice of the climber whether to take Diamox as a preventative measure against acute mountain sickness (AMS)
One should not take any drug without considering all the consequences.
This includes both the good and bad consequences.
That’s why Blessing Safaris neither recommends using Diamox nor discourages using Diamox.
The decision is up to the Mount Kilimanjaro climber.
Those who have hiked at high altitudes before might know where your acclimatization limits are at the rate of ascent.
If you do, reviewing the route profile and itineraries will help you decide whether to use Diamox.
Confident people who think they can adjust to high altitudes probably wouldn’t choose to use Diamox.
For those who have not tested themselves at high elevations, the choice is much harder.
Nearly everyone would like to summit without taking Diamox.
But at the same time, most people would rather summit with Diamox than not summit at all.
Because of this, for most people, taking Diamox makes sense.
It improves the probability of reaching the top. It also increases the level of safety.
How do you know if Diamox is working?
Tingling or pins and needles feelings around the mouth and in the hands and feet is a common side effect of Diamox.
It suggests the medicine is working. Nearly everyone who takes Diamox notices that carbonated beverages taste metallic.
Does Diamox Have Side Effects?
As with any drug, Diamox has several side effects of varying severity and varying degrees of investigation.
First, it should be noted that Diamox acts as a diuretic.
Normally, you go to the restroom more often during the days of taking the pills, although it does not always manifest itself.
Also, the registered side effects include a slight tingling sensation on the skin.
All other side effects indicated for the drug are either rare or unconfirmed.
Drug manufacturers have to list them as a safety precaution.
Nutrition plays an important role in a successful ascension.
The most common fear related to the use of Diamox is digestive system disorders.
Side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and melena are clinically described as “infrequent”.
The connection between many side effects of the drug and its use is poorly proven.
Remember that the effects of altitude sickness develop. The body experiences stress and
While it adapts, it changes its reactions. This includes digestive effects, such as loss of appetite and indigestion.
Unfortunately, some of the side effects of Diamox are the same as the symptoms of AMS.
The side effects of Diamox might be mistaken for AMS.
You’d be turned around on the mountain. You might have felt fine without it.
To avoid this scenario, make sure you won’t have an adverse reaction to Diamox before using it on the mountain.
You must take it for a day or two while in the comfort of your home to see what the effects are.
Do not use it on Kilimanjaro if you experience side effects that could be confused with altitude sickness or any side effects that you’re not OK with.
Who should not take Diamox when climbing Kilimanjaro?
Do not use Diamox if you have cirrhosis, severe liver or kidney disease, an electrolyte imbalance, adrenal gland failure, or an allergy to Diamox or sulfa drugs.
What to avoid while on Diamox ( Acetazolamide )?
Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds.
Acetazolamide can make you sunburn more easily.
Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors
Conclusion
Finally, you must be in good health and feel well when climbing Kilimanjaro.
This is especially important to enjoy your trek. After all, you don’t want to be suffering at the summit!
If Diamox helps you achieve your goal of a successful Kilimanjaro climb without causing you harm, then its preventive use is fully justified.
If you’re planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro either in 2024 /25. Here are the best trekking packages for you
8 Days Lemosho Route- Mount Kilimanjaro
7 Days Machame Route – Mount Kilimanjaro
