British medical journal (Clinical research ed.)
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Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) · May 1987
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialSuccessful treatment of acute mountain sickness with dexamethasone.
A double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial of treatment with dexamethasone for acute mountain sickness was performed in the Capanna "Regina Margherita" at an altitude of 4559 m in the Alps Valais. After 12-16 hours of treatment (8 mg dexamethasone initially, followed by 4 mg every six hours) the mean acute mountain sickness score decreased significantly from 5.4 to 1.3, and eight of 17 patients became totally asymptomatic. ⋯ In the placebo group none of these variables changed significantly. It is concluded that dexamethasone may be used as emergency treatment for acute mountain sickness to facilitate safe descent to a lower altitude.