Icon

Altitude Sickness

Acetazolamide (Diamox)

$79

Our standard prescription includes a course of treatment for 5 days of continual ascent.
Tackle high elevations, adjust to altitude and recover from hypoxia so you can keep on climbing. Use as directed.

Quick questionnaire for physician review

US-licensed healthcare providers

Fast and free shipping

FDA-approved prescription medication

Unlimited chat based care before, during and after your travel

Add to plan

Acetazolamide (Diamox)

Altitude sickness most commonly occurs when traveling higher than 8,000ft. A lack of oxygen causes nausea, exhaustion, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Runway offers Acetazolamide (Diamox), an FDA approved treatment that helps by decreasing CO2 in your bloodstream and, in turn, increasing oxygen levels. Tackle high elevations, adjust to altitude, and recover from hypoxia so you can keep on climbing. Use as directed.
Add to plan

Frequently Asked Questions

Icon


Sometimes called “mountain sickness,” altitude sickness is in a group of symptoms that can affect you if you reach a higher elevation, or altitude, too quickly. That usually happens around 8,000 feet or higher.

Anyone can develop altitude sickness, no matter how fit, young or healthy you are. In fact, if you’re physically active while at a high elevation, you’re more likely to develop it.

Chances to get altitude sickness depends on a few things: how quickly you move to a higher elevation, how high up you’re going, the altitude where you sleep/rest, etc.

Your risk also depends on where you live, the altitude you’re accustomed to, your age (young people are more likely to get it) and whether you’ve had altitude sickness before.

Some research suggests our genes can play a role in the body’s ability to handle higher elevations.

Symptoms usually come on within 12 to 24 hours of reaching an elevation higher than 8,000 feet and then get better within a day or two as your body adjusts to the change in altitude. Usually worse at night, you might feel:

  • Fatigue and loss of energy
  • Shortness of breath
  • Problems with sleep
  • Loss of appetite
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Remember to hydrate and, if things become really bad, descend to a lower altitude. If you’re climbing a mountain or expect to reach incredible heights, it may help to bring oxygen and a Gamow bag.

Acetazolamide is a more affordable, generic form of Diamox that is just as effective.

Acetazolamide (generic Diamox) is a prescription medication that is commonly used as a preventive treatment for altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS).

When taken preventively, acetazolamide (generic Diamox) hastens acclimatization to high-elevation hypoxia, thereby reducing occurrence and severity of altitude sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness or AMS. It also enhances recovery if taken after symptoms have developed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the medication works primarily by inducing a bicarbonate diuresis and metabolic acidosis, which stimulates ventilation and increases alveolar and arterial oxygenation. By using acetazolamide (generic Diamox), high-elevation ventilatory acclimatization that normally takes 3–5 days takes only 1 day. This medication also eliminates central sleep apnea, or periodic breathing, which is common at high elevations, even in those without a history of sleep disorder breathing.

Although the exact dosing instructions will be provided by your healthcare provider, in general, it is generally recommended to start taking acetazolamide (generic Diamox) one to two days before ascending to high altitudes. This allows the medication to take effect and help your body acclimate to the change in altitude.

Although the exact dosing instructions will be provided by your healthcare provider, typically, it is recommended to begin the day before ascent and continue the first 2 days at elevation, and longer if ascent continues.  Your healthcare provider will provide specific guidance based on your individual circumstances.

What it costs

Your health is worth it

A Runway consultation costs a fraction of a travel clinic and our medications are priced below average retail pricing. You are only charged if prescribed.

Green Logo

No searching for a doctor

Medication shipped directly to you

Transparent pricing

No wait times

vs

in-person consultation

Limited access to travel clinics

Pharmacy availability not guaranteed

Unknown pricing

Average 24 day wait for a doctor appointment

$30

Consultation Fee

How it works

Just 3 Steps and You’re
on Your Way

Image

Step 1

Consult a physician

Select your medications and fill out a quick, online questionnaire. Your physician will evaluate if medication is appropriate for your trip.

Image

Step 2

Fast, free shipping

Once your prescriptions are approved, we’ll send medications directly to you with fast and free shipping.

Image

Step 3

Ongoing care

Have questions along the way? Your physician is available for chat based care before, during and after your travels.

Our medications

Better prepare for your adventures

Treatments

Malaria Prevention

Traveler’s Diarrhea

Nausea Prevention

Urinary Tract Infection

Vaginal Yeast Infection

Not sure what you need? Chat with a clinician today.

Icon

IRL

Your Voices

About us

As travelers and explorers, we dare to dream.

Acetazolamide (Diamox)

Altitude Sickness — $ 79
Add to plan
Add to plan
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
Slide
0
    Start your online visit

    Runway offers travelers like you, the medications you may need before you go.