Effects of acetazolamide on overnight oxygenation and acute mountain sickness in patients with asthma.

The aim of the study was to assess effects of acetazolamide in prevention of acute mountain sickness (AMS) and on overnight oxygenation, in patients with asthma treated at the altitude of 3,200 m. Sixteen patients with asthma, 6 males and 10 females, mean age 32 yrs, were first investigated at low altitude (760 m). They presented with mild airways obstruction, normal arterial blood gases, and normal oxygenation at night studied by pulse oximetry.