SD
until I can get back to an ergonomically more useful device........
Acetozolamide (AZ) or Diamox has 3 main benefits to high altitude (HA)
It is a central (brain) respiratory stimulant and helps periodic breathing . This breathing pattern persists even after full acclimatization. Because of that, some would consider it a direct effect of HA independent of AMS. There may end up being some change in the definitions of HA
Secondly, it improves AMS and speeds acclimatization to some degree in only some people only some of the time. It is not a slamdunk
An obscure benefit of AZ but not other drugs in its class is it's ability to reduce the HPV of HA. Hypoxia pulmonary vasoconstriction or high blood pressure in the lungs on exposure to hypoxia either in hypobaric chamber or HA puts a strain on the right ventricle (RV) of the heart. This can occur in hours but usually days or weeks at HA. How much can AZ help this is not entirely clear but is relatively small . Anyone with involvement of the RV is in big trouble and must descend. Same for HAPE that is an entirely different complication involving the lungs and RV.
Also , WADA lists AZ as a PED ( performance enhancing drug) although it really only was based on the second reason I mentioned. HA was a controversial subject at the Mexico City Olympics
