Questions About Starting And Stopping Usage Of Diamox For High Altitude Travel

Posted on Wed, 18 May 2022

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 18 May 2022 Answered on

Tue, 7 Jan 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : Questions about starting and stopping usage of Diamox for high altitude travel and interactions with alcohol.

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Don't take them with alcohol

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

If you want to take diamox to prevent altitude sickness you may need to start taking it 1-2 days before climbing and continue it for whole time while staying there. You probably will not use it for long so you can stop it abruptly when going down.
Of course it can't be taken will alcohol because it may cause dizziness and drowsiness.

Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thnaks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Saisudha Kotla

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (17 hours later)

Thank you for answering my question so quickly! Just a follow up, I%E2%80%99m not doing any super strenous activity for this trip I%E2%80%99m flying into Ecuador from a much lower altitude and I have a decreased lung capacity so I thought it might be a good idea to be a little extra cautious with altitude sickness. I wanted to ask about alcohol because 2 days after I land I%E2%80%99m attending a wedding there and wanted to know if I would be able to do any light drinking after stopping using Diamox?

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You can have alcoholic drinks after stopping it

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
You can use it while flying and have alcoholic drinks two days after stopping it.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj