Participants wanted for CU study on altitude sickness treatment

DENVER ( KDVR ) — The University of Colorado is looking for people to participate and hike Mount Blue Sky for a study that will test a possible treatment for altitude sickness.

The University of Colorado section of Wilderness and Environmental Medicine is conducting the study.

According to the university, the study hopes to learn more about preventing altitude sickness, specifically a form known as acute mountain sickness, which can cause headache nausea and vomiting, dizziness and fatigue.

Altitude sickness is a common condition in Colorado, especially for those who travel from states at a lower sea level. Per the Cleveland Clinic, altitude sickness happens when the body does not have time to adjust to lower oxygen availability in higher altitudes.

The university said this study will look at the drug prochlorperazine , also known as Compazine, as a solution to altitude sickness. The university said Compazine is commonly used for migraine headaches, nausea and vomiting.

How will the study work?

Those who choose to join the study will meet in Golden on one of the listed dates and receive the study drug or a placebo pill. Participants will then be fed breakfast and driven to Summit Lake near Mount Blue Sky.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, Summit Lake is the highest city park in North America at an elevation of 12,830 feet.

Once at the lake, participants will be fed lunch and asked to walk around before taking a second dose of the drug or the placebo. Participants will then go on a guided hike to the summit of Mount Blue Sky where they will eat dinner, receive a third dose and sleep overnight.

Mount Blue Sky sits at an elevation of 14,130 feet.

In the morning, participants will eat breakfast and be driven to the original meeting spot in Golden.

The study will take place from Aug. 5-6, Aug. 7-8 or Aug. 27-28.

Risks of joining this study

The university said side effects of Compazine are uncommon but can include feelings of restlessness or agitation. Severe allergic reactions are very uncommon but possible.

Participants could also experience altitude sickness, sunburn, dehydration and minor injuries from hiking and participating in the study.

What is the university hoping to learn?

By participating in this study, researchers said they hope to learn how to prevent altitude sickness.

“Having a better way to help prevent acute mountain sickness would be very beneficial to all travelers to altitude which includes people traveling for fun and recreation, native populations, workers, rescuers and military personnel,” said the University of Colorado in the study.

If you would like to participate, you can sign up on the university’s website .

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