About this service
This service is offered as part of our Travel Health Clinic service to help prevent sickness while quickly travelling or climbing high distances. This usually happens if the distance is more than around 2,500 metres above sea level. There are ways to reduce your risk of altitude sickness and speaking to our pharmacist before your trip can help.
A prescribing pharmacist can prescribe medication to prevent altitude sickness and offer advice on how to manage your symptoms while you’re away.
What is Altitude Sickness?
Altitude Sickness has many symptoms but, the most common are:
These symptoms tend to show 6 to 10 hours after being at a high altitude. If these symptoms develop into more severe symptoms, this can be life-threatening.
Who can access this service?
The medication offered in this service is not suitable for everyone. Speaking with a pharmacist can provide advice or alternative treatments. Factors that may determine whether you’re suitable for this treatment can be your age, medical conditions or allergies.
Anyone can speak to our pharmacist for advice on steps to take to prevent altitude sickness. Some recommendations include:
To slowly travel or climb to a high altitude, this allows your body to get used to lower oxygen levels.
Drink water to not get dehydrated.
Spend a few days at an altitude below 2,500 metres before you travel or climb any higher.
Have a rest the day every three to four days, staying at the same altitude.
Where can you get Altitude Sickness?
Places where you can get Altitude Sickness is in Mount Everest, Mount Kilimanjaro, Alps, La Paz. Some mountainous areas are higher than around 2,500 metres above sea level, for instance Mount Everest is more than 8,000 metres above sea level.
If you are planning to visit these areas, or others like this, accessing this service can help you stay fit and healthy. If you are sick whilst you’re abroad, it’s important that you tell someone you’re unwell, do not climb or travel at a higher altitude than you already are, and take anti-sickness medicines or painkillers to ease your symptoms.
