You said that taking diamox early was a "deprecated" approach. Is that because it lessens the effectiveness of the drug, unnecessarily prolongs side effects, or for some other reason?
I think he used the "deprecated" term to mean that people are finding that the need to take Diamox at least 24 hours before you ascend to altitude is not mandatory.
I have heard the advice to take it early for a long time. My doctor advised me of that necessity when I got my prescription. So I will assume that studies have shown that it takes this advance period for the detectable concentration in blood samples to reach full strength.
On the other hand, I have seen a few places where people carry Diamox, and then take it once they experience AMS symptoms, and report that it helps. But there haven't been any studies to support this.
I will still take my 125 mg dose every 12 hours starting 24 hours before I climb high -- I am sure the advance time can only help. And at that dosage level, most people don't notice any side effects.
