What medication is used for both the prevention and treatment of acute mountain sickness?

Acetazolamide is recognized for its efficacy in both the prevention and treatment of acute mountain sickness (AMS). This carbonic anhydrase inhibitor works primarily by promoting bicarbonate excretion, which leads to a compensatory respiratory alkalosis. As a result, it increases ventilation and enhances the acclimatization process when exposed to high altitudes. The drug helps to mitigate the symptoms associated with AMS by improving oxygen delivery and reducing the physiological effects of hypoxia.

Additionally, acetazolamide can stimulate the production of red blood cells over time, contributing to enhanced oxygen transport and further aiding acclimatization. Its ability to enhance the body's response to decreasing oxygen levels makes it a critical medication for individuals who ascend to high altitudes, where AMS can occur.

Other medications mentioned, while having their own uses, do not serve both preventive and therapeutic roles for acute mountain sickness. For example, ibuprofen is generally utilized for pain relief but does not have a preventative role for AMS. Prednisone, a corticosteroid, may help alleviate inflammation but is not typically a first-line treatment for AMS. Diamox is simply a brand name for acetazolamide, thus not serving as an alternative choice in this context.

Therefore, acetazolamide stands out as a targeted