Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Dexamethasone and HAPE

I can weigh in on this a little since i know something about Dexamethasone.Dex is an oral steroid and a totally totally different type of drug than diamox which is a diuretic.Dex works as an anti-inflamatory drug to reduce swelling where diamox reduces swelling by eliminating fluid through the kidneys.Steroids have serious side effects and should be used strickly under doctors supervision and only for short periods.Some steroids are given in large doses and then quickly tapered off ie. Prednisone packs.Oral steroids are commonly used to reduce chronic pulmonary inflamation.To answer the question in an emergency situation for HAPE and all you had was Dexamethasone I would use it.It is not the drug of choice for prophlactic prevention of altitude sickness.