AMS (acute mountain sickness) affects those who ascend too high (>2000m) too fast.
Acetazolamide is an effective drug for the prevention of AMS where proper acclimatization
with gradual ascent may not be an option. AMS presents with headache and other non-specific
symptoms such as nausea, tiredness, and dizziness. Because of the side effects of
acetazolamide such as a tingling sensation, other drugs have been investigated to see if they
will prevent AMS. Ibuprofen has recently been shown to prevent AMS. In this present study the
investigators want to see if acetaminophen can also prevent AMS as acetaminophen unlike
ibuprofen does not have gastric side effects. Second, because acetaminophen has much less
anti-inflammatory component than ibuprofen, it may also provide some insight into the
pathophysiology of AMS if acetaminophen were found to be effective in the prevention of AMS.