How to buy medicines for High Altitude Sickness?
It is a travel habit for many people to buy local souvenirs in Tibet for gifts to their friends. On top of that, there’s a unique travel experience in Tibet-- preparing drugs and oxygen cylinders that prevent altitude sickness .
When to buy drugs for preventing altitude sickness?
The average altitude of Tibet tourist destinations reaches 4,000 meters. Many tourists take some preventive drugs before leaving for Tibet. Tourists who are very confident about their physical conditions don’t take drugs in advance. But some of them may have to buy drugs in Tibet due to the high altitude sickness.
We recommend you go to the local hospital and take drugs according to the doctor's advice before leaving for Tibet. Don't buy drugs online or buy drugs from the pharmacy according to information online.
As you have different physical condition from others, you may find the drug recommended by others ineffective. Therefore, you shall take drugs according to the doctor’s advice.
If you still have obvious symptoms after three days’ rest in Tibet, you can ask for a pharmacist to take suitable drugs. At the same time, you can also ask the guide for help. Our tour guides have all received medical training, and they are experienced in handling such emergency. If you feel uncomfortable, be sure to communicate with the tour guide in time.
What drugs can you buy in Tibet?
The drugs that you can buy in Tibet are mainly produced within China, and most of them are produced in Tibet. These drugs have a good effect on the treatment of various symptoms of altitude sickness. But, still, you’d better not to buy drugs without doctor’s advice.
When do you need to buy drugs and where can you buy?
1. After getting off the train or the plane, if you have serious headaches, dizziness, vomiting, nosebleeds and other symptoms, you’d better buy anti-altitude drugs near the train station or the airport and take some as soon as possible. And then you can take a rest in the vehicle to the hotel. After arriving at the hotel, you can rest more in your room instead of hanging out. 2. After three days’ rest in Lhasa, you need to continue to take drugs if the symptoms are not relieved. Because you’ll travel to higher altitude areas such as Yamdrok and Carola Glacier according to our itinerary.
3. When arriving at Everest Base Camp or Ali and other areas with an altitude of nearly 5,000 meters, some of the tourists may suffer from more serious sickness. And when that happens, you have to take the drugs in time. Hence, before departing for high-altitude areas, you shall buy some anti-altitude drugs in advance.
When do you need to buy oxygen cylinder and where can you buy?
You don't need to use an oxygen cylinder most of the time in Tibet, except for the following situations.
a. Normally, we provide you enough time to adapt yourself to the high altitude in Lhasa before leaving for higher places such as Namtso Lake(4700 meters). But the tour to Nepal leaves you less time in Lhasa, and thus you may need to use an oxygen cylinder travelling to higher places in such a short time.
b. Staying overnight at the Rongbuk Temple may need oxygen supply.In summer, tourists can stay overnight at the tents in Everest Base Camp, as the temperature is relatively high. But in winter, you can only stay at the Rongbuk Temple, which features poor accommodation. And the temperature is extremely low at nights in winter. Therefore, the oxygen cylinder is needed.
c. Staying overnight at the circling areas of Mt. Kailash may need oxygen supply. The area boasts an average altitude of over 4,500 meters. Circling round the mountains is an oxygen-consuming exercise. Therefore, you may suffer from serious headache at night after trekking for a long time during the day. If you are able to use an oxygen cylinder, you can be better off and have a better rest at night.
So, where can you buy oxygen cylinders and oxygen tanks?
You can buy small cans of oxygen bottles in most of the large pharmacies in Tibet. Generally, you can buy one for emergency. In Shigatse, Ali and other areas, there are oxygen cylinders for you to buy. It does not require medical advice to buy oxygen suppliers. You can buy them on your own. If you don't know where to buy, you can ask the driver or the tour guide.
You shall not to use oxygen equipment all the time. It is only for emergency,but not for long-term use. If you use such products as soon as you arrive in Tibet, you may be dependent on oxygen and your journey may be influenced. In addition, if you have purchased oxygen but haven’t used it, please use it up before boarding the train or the plane. Because it’s prohibited to carry it on the plane and the train.
In summary, you can buy drugs after arriving in Tibet according to your physical reactions. It is very convenient to buy anti-altitude drugs and oxygen in Tibet.
