epoetin alfa + acetazolamide

This pharmacological combination regimen consists of epoetin alfa (a recombinant human erythropoietin) and acetazolamide, currently being evaluated in a Phase 4 clinical trial by the United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM). Epoetin alfa is a biologic that acts as an erythropoietin receptor agonist to stimulate erythropoiesis, thereby increasing red blood cell mass and improving oxygen delivery to tissues at high altitudes. Acetazolamide is a small molecule carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that facilitates altitude acclimatization by inducing metabolic acidosis and stimulating ventilation. The combination is intended to mitigate altitude-induced decrements in physical performance and reduce the incidence of acute mountain sickness (AMS) in individuals exposed to moderate (3,000 m) and high (4,300 m) altitudes.

Brand names

Procrit

Other names

erythropoietinacetazolamide