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SO Forces that states, “Consider pretreatment if rapid 10. Brooks GA, Fahey TD, Baldwin KM. Exercise physiol-
ascent above 11,500 ft. occurs (as with airlifts): A. Dexa- ogy: human bioenergetics and its applications. 4th ed.
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24 hours of ascent plus acetazolamide (Diamox) 125mg 11. Burtscher M. The athlete at high altitude: performance dim-
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altitude are limited. However, dexamethasone has been 14. Åstrand PO, Rodahl K. Textbook of work physiology.
shown to improve maximal aerobic capacity after rapid New York, NY: McGraw-Hill: 1970.
ascent to high altitudes (10,000–14,000 feet), especially 15. Rock PB, Johnson TS, Cymerman A, et al. Effect of dexa-
in HAPE-susceptible subjects. 20,25,26 Future research methasone on symptoms of acute mountain sickness at
should also consider non–HAPE- susceptible subjects to Pikes Peak, Colorado (4,300m). Aviat Space Environ
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improved physical performance while at altitude. 16. Wang J, Ke T, Zhang X, et al. Effects of acetazolamide
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Financial Disclosure 17. Subudhi AW, Dimmen AC, Julian CG, et al. Effects of
acetazolamide and dexamethasone on cerebral hemody-
The authors have indicated they have no financial rela- namics in hypoxia. J Appl Physiol. 2011;110:1219–1225.
tionships to this article to disclose. 18. Stream JO, Grissom CK. Update on high-altitude pul-
monary edema: pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment.
Wilderness Environ Med. 2008;19:293–303.
Funding 19. Zheng CR, Chen GZ, Yu J, et al. Inhaled budesonide and
This work was supported by the United States Air Force oral dexamethasone prevent acute mountain sickness:
School of Aerospace Medicine, Wright-Patterson Air a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Am J Med.
Force Base, Ohio. 2014 [Epub ahead of print].
20. Maggiorini M, Brunner-La Rocca HP, Peth S, et al. Both
tadalafil and dexamethasone may reduce the incidence of
high-altitude pulmonary edema: a randomized trial. Ann
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