Effect of acetazolamide and dexamethasone on psychiatric symptoms at high altitude

ABSTRACT

Psychiatric symptoms were studied in 20 healthy volunteers at 15000 feet above sea level for 6 days. Relative frequency of psychiatric symptoms were noted and compared with acclimatised low landers with a mean stay of 3 months. Prophylactic effect of acetazolamide and dexamethasone on psychiatric symptoms was studied and it was found that these drugs are associated with significant reduction in psychiatric morbidity in nonacclimatised low landers. Further studies with larger population are required to confirm their effect