Editor—Barry and Pollard say in their clinical review of altitude illness that gingko biloba may be more effective than placebo in preventing symptoms of acute mountain sickness.1
The PHAIT study, carried out by Gertsch et al in Nepal from October to November 2002, compared gingko biloba, acetazolamide, and placebo in a randomised controlled trial of trekkers ascending from Pheriche (4250 m) to Lobuche (4850 m). A total of 614 subjects were enrolled, and the results showed a marginal increase in symptoms of acute mountain sickness in the gingko biloba group (61.3%) compared with the placebo group (53.8%); the lowest incidence of symptoms was found in the acetazolamide group (21.2%) (J Gertsch, personal communication).
On the basis of these data I think that gingko biloba cannot be recommended as prophylaxis against symptoms of acute mountain sickness.
Competing interests: PAK was a volunteer doctor at Himalayan Rescue Association Aid Post Pheriche during the period of the PHAIT study, although not directly involved in the study.
References
- 1.Barry PW, Pollard AJ. Altitude sickness. BMJ 2003;326: 815-9. (26 April.) [Google Scholar]