High altitude headache: efficacy of acetaminophen vs. ibuprofen in a randomized, controlled trial

Author:

Harris, N. Stuart, Wenzel, Richard P., Thomas, Stephen H.

Title:

High altitude headache: efficacy of acetaminophen vs. ibuprofen in a randomized, controlled trial

Periodical:

Journal of Emergency Medicine

Year:

2003

Volume:

24

Pages:

383-387

Subject:

Headache High altitude physiology Pulmonary edema Ibuprofen Acetaminophen

Summary:

In the United States alone, more than 30 million people travel to elevations of 2000 meters or higher on an annual basis. Of these, approximately 25 percent will experience a High Altitude Headache, (HAH), which is the defining symptom of Acute Mountain Sickness, (AMS), that will be severe enough to limit one's activities while at altitude. While the symptoms of HAH is generally described as severe, bitemporal, and throbbing, others may include symptoms of AMS such as nausea, insomnia, anorexia, and fatigue. As a result, the purpose of this study was compare ibuprofen to acetaminophen in treating the pain of HAH and to determine if acetaminophen could provide effective HAH therapy without incurring the risks that are associated with ibuprofen such as gastrointestinal side effects that may include nausea. If so, then acetaminophen would be considered the drug of choice for treating HAH.

Label:

Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS)

URL:

http://cletus.uhh.hawaii.edu:2074/10.1016/S0736-4679(03)00034-9

Date:

2003

Collection:

Periodicals