Best pain reliever for slight altitude headache?

I'm partial to Aleve myself and my dad likes good ole' Asprin.

If you can get it where you're at try Coca tea. It works very well for mild to moderate symptoms. Coca is the traditional Andean remedy for altitude sickness.

I find taking Dimaox before and during the trip helps a lot.

I've always been under the impression aspirin was best for headaches..

steven, doesn't diamox make you dehydrated though?

You know, I have been watching various people get headaches from altitude for over 35 years now, and I came to the conclusion that the biggest factor in starting the headache is from simple dehydration. At altitude, the air tends to be cool and dry, so with each breath you are taking in cool and dry air, and you are exhaling warm and moist air. That yields a net loss of energy and moisture for your body.

So, for a dehydration condition, what should you take?

I would suggest fluid, like a pint of water, or else some rehydration solution. Then as you consume that, down your favorite OTC headache remedy, such as aspirin or something similar. One of Acetaminophen (Tylenol) plus one of aspirin would not be a bad idea, either. Let that soak in for 15 minutes and see what happens.

Caffeine may or may not be a good thing. It kind of depends on what your body is used to.

–B.G.–

Ah yes, dehydration at altitude. Duh!

Probably one reason Coca tea works. :)

In the early days of mountaineering, the Brits were known to have quite a bit of success. Each day when they made it to camp, they would brew up some tea.

If they were suffering from too much water in their systems, the caffeine might help them relieve themselves. If they were suffering from too little water in their systems, the extra hot water might help them catch up. Whichever, it worked.

–B.G.–

Different people take to different drugs differently.

One trick I learned on this site that has worked really well for me (I tried it after checking with my pharmacist) — mixing Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (e.g. Advil). In other words, if you normally take two of either — try taking one of each. With my pharmacist's complete blessing — I tried it and for whatever reason, the combo method works significantly faster. YMMV — but safe to try, and well worth it IMO.

I usually carry Diamox and Advil (hardly take the advil). But like Bob said, it always seems to be dehydration for me.

Hydration is key.

Ibuprofen has been shown to have some benefit in helping prevent symptoms of acute mountain sickness.

Diamox works, but will require a prescription. You can premedicate with ibuprofen, 800 mg (if you're an adult).