I read the same thing in a Colorado Outdoor magazine. But, I have been told (and read) it is actually Tums, but I definitely remember it being Rolaids. I'm glad you brought it up again, because I am positive I read Rolaids in the article.
I saw Rolaids in several magazines, including "Outdoor".
While reading about this (due to this thread), I rediscovered the studies on ibuprofen to reduce the chance and severity of high altitude headache, which is often a symptom of altitude sickness. In double blind trials it reduced the cases of HAH (high altitude headache) was reduced by about 15% by using ibuprofen. One issue is that you don't know whether or not the HAH is a symptom of altitude sickness or not, but HAH that does not go away is ONE of the symptoms required to diagnose acute altitude sickness. But from what I read, if HAH becomes severe, moving to a lower altitude solves the problem, whether it is just HAH or HAH associated with AMS (acute mountain sickness).
ARTICLE FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HELP WEBSITE
Abstract
Objective
Ibuprofen is used to prevent high altitude headache (HAH) but its efficacy remains controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) of ibuprofen for the prevention of HAH.
Methods
Studies reporting efficacy of ibuprofen for prevention of HAH were identified by searching electronic databases (until December 2016). The primary outcome was the difference in incidence of HAH between ibuprofen and placebo groups. Risk ratios (RR) were aggregated using a Mantel-Haenszel random effect model. Heterogeneity of included trials was assessed using the
I2 statistics.
Results
In three randomized-controlled clinical trials involving 407 subjects, HAH occurred in 101 of 239 subjects (42%) who received ibuprofen and 96 of 168 (57%) who received placebo (RR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.96, Z = 2.43, P = 0.02,
I2 = 0%). The absolute risk reduction (ARR) was 15%. Number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent HAH was 7. Similarly, The incidence of severe HAH was significant in the two groups (RR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.93, Z = 2.14, P = 0.03,
I2 = 0%). Severe HAH occurred in 3% treated with ibuprofen and 10% with placebo. The ARR was 8%. NNT to prevent severe HAH was 13. Headache severity using a visual analogue scale was not different between ibuprofen and placebo. Similarly, the difference between the two groups in the change in SpO2 from baseline to altitude was not different. One included RCT reported one participant with black stools and three participants with stomach pain in the ibuprofen group, while seven participants reported stomach pain in the placebo group.
Conclusions
Based on a limited number of studies ibuprofen seems efficacious for the prevention of HAH and may therefore represent an alternative for preventing HAH with acetazolamide or dexamethasone.
