White Mountain Research Center

18 Apr, 01 PM - 20 Aug, 03 PM

The specific aim of this study is to evaluate if ibuprofen will be equivalent to acetazolamide and superior to placebo and in decreasing the incidence of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) in travelers to high altitude. It has been shown that ibuprofen taken 3 times a day 6 hours prior to ascent is effective for the prevention of AMS, with a number needed to treat of 4, decreasing the odds of getting AMS by a third. (Lipman et al, 2012, Annals of Emergency Medicine). The efficacy appears to be similar to acetazolamide, with a NNT of 3 -8 (van Patot, Basnyat),although these two medications have not been directly compared in prevention of AMS. Acetazolamide is diuretic that is the only FDA approved AMS prophylactic medication and the most commonly used drug for AMS prevention. (survey in Annapurna circuit, High Altitude Biology 2015). Although acetazolamide has been given a 1A indication, it has been shown to limit exercise capabilities at high altitude (Bradwell, 2014), and rapid ascent has been shown to attenuate its protective effects (Jackson, et al., 2010). It is unknown if a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory can provide protection from AMS equivalent to acetazolamide. This double blind randomized placebo-controlled trial will compare placebo (the standard of care - information on symptom recognition and prevention of altitude sickness) with the widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ibuprofen to acetazolamide. Our study population is hikers who are ascending at their own rate under their own power in a true hiking environment at the White Mountain Research Station, Owen Valley Lab (OVL) and Bancroft Station (BAR), Bancroft Peak, White Mountain, CA.

Visit #50541 @White Mountain Research Center

Approved

Under Project # 35071 | Research

Altitude Sickness Prevention with Ibuprofen Relative to Acetazolamide Trial for Efficacy (ASPIRATE)

faculty - Stanford University

Reservation Members(s)

Group of 20 Volunteer Apr 18 - 20, 2017 (3 days)
Kier Warner Aug 18 - 20, 2017 (3 days)
Patrick Burns Aug 17 - 20, 2017 (4 days)

Reserve Resources(s) | Create Invoice

Owens Valley Station, Room & Board 28 Aug 18 - 20, 2017
Owens Valley Station, Classroom space: South Classroom-HALF day (4 hours) 28 Aug 18 - 20, 2017
Barcroft Station, Room & Board 28 Aug 18 - 20, 2017
Barcroft Station, Lab space 28 Apr 18 - Aug 20, 2017