Tanzania
Kilimanjaro
5,895m
GPhC Registered Pharmacy
Yellow Fever Centre
Same Day Appointments
No Consultation Fees
10,000+ Patients Served
GPhC Registered Pharmacy
Yellow Fever Centre
Same Day Appointments
No Consultation Fees
10,000+ Patients Served
Same-day consultation
Pharmacist assessment and, where appropriate, treatment arranged in one 15-minute appointment.
No GP referral needed
Our pharmacist prescribes directly — no wait, no extra appointments.
Free consultation
Your risk assessment is free. Treatment cost confirmed at your appointment — no hidden fees.
Start 1–2 days before
Short lead time — come the day before your flight if needed.
Anyone Can Be Affected — Even Fit Travellers
Altitude sickness is caused by reduced oxygen levels at high altitude. Fitness, age, and previous experience do not protect you.
Introduction
Altitude sickness — formally known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) — occurs when you ascend too quickly for your body to adapt to lower oxygen levels. It typically develops above 2,500m, though some people are affected at lower altitudes.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually begin within a few hours of reaching altitude: headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping. In most cases, mild AMS resolves with rest and no further ascent.
Serious Progression
In some cases it can progress to more serious conditions — High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE) or High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACE) — which are life-threatening without immediate descent.
Prevention & Medication
A preventive medication option can reduce the risk by stimulating faster breathing, which increases blood oxygen levels and speeds up acclimatisation. It is recommended by the British Mountaineering Council and travel health guidelines for travellers who cannot acclimatise gradually. Our pharmacist assesses whether it is suitable for you.
Altitude Sickness — Know the Stages
Mild (AMS)
Headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, poor sleep
Rest, hydrate, do not ascend
Moderate
Severe headache, vomiting, significant fatigue, difficulty walking
Descend immediately, seek medical help
Severe (HAPE/HACE)
Breathlessness at rest, confusion, loss of coordination, coughing blood-tinged sputum
Emergency descent, oxygen, evacuation
Planning One of These Trips?
Altitude sickness prevention is recommended for all of these destinations. Book your consultation before you fly.
Nepal
Everest Base Camp
5,364m
Peru
Cusco / Machu Picchu
3,400m
Bolivia
La Paz
3,640m
Nepal
Annapurna Circuit
5,416m
Tibet
Lhasa
3,650m
Peru
Inca Trail
4,215m
Kenya
Mount Kenya
5,199m
In and Out in 15 Minutes
Tell us your itinerary
Share your destination, planned altitudes, and trip dates — the more detail the better.
Pharmacist assessment
Our pharmacist checks your health history for contraindications, confirms the correct dose, and explains the dosing schedule.
Prescription issued
If a preventive treatment is clinically appropriate, the prescription is written on the spot — no GP referral required.
Treatment arranged today
You leave with any prescribed treatment, full dosing instructions, and advice on recognising altitude sickness symptoms during your trip.
Medication Helps — But These Habits Matter Too
Any preventive treatment works best alongside sensible acclimatisation practice. Our pharmacist covers all of this at your appointment.
Ascend gradually
Above 3,000m, aim to gain no more than 300–500m of sleeping altitude per day. Build in a rest day every 3 days of ascent.
Hydrate consistently
Drink 3–4 litres of water per day at altitude. Dehydration amplifies headaches and fatigue — the earliest AMS symptoms.
Avoid alcohol for 48 hours after arrival
Alcohol impairs your body's acclimatisation response and worsens dehydration. Wait until your body has adjusted before drinking.
Descend at any sign of worsening
If symptoms don't improve with rest, or worsen at all, descend immediately. Even 300–500m can produce rapid relief. Never ascend with symptoms.
The primary approach is gradual acclimatisation — ascending no more than 300–500m of sleeping altitude per day above 3,000m. Where your itinerary does not allow this (for example, flying directly into a high-altitude city), a preventive medication option may be clinically appropriate. Our pharmacist assesses whether this is suitable for you at your consultation.
Other Services for High-Altitude Travellers
Most Kilimanjaro and trekking trips also require malaria tablets and standard travel vaccines.
Malaria Prevention
Destination risk assessment and prevention advice for your trip — assessed in one visit, no GP referral.
Free consultation
Yellow Fever
Required for many African countries including Tanzania and Uganda. Certificate issued same day.
£79
Travel Consultation
Free personalised review covering every vaccine and medication for your full itinerary.
Free
Hepatitis A
Recommended for most developing-world destinations. Single dose, long-term protection.
£59
Book Your Altitude Sickness Consultation
Assessed and, where appropriate, treated in one visit. Call 0207 405 1039 or book online — no GP needed.