China has taken another step forward in high-altitude healthcare with the approval of its first domestically developed drug designed specifically to prevent acute altitude sickness.

Photo via China Daily

The sustained-release acetazolamide capsules, developed under the leadership of Professor Kelsang Norbu, deputy head of the People's Hospital of Xizang, received approval from the National Medical Products Administration after a rigorous evaluation.

"For the first time, we now have a domestically developed drug dedicated to preventing acute altitude sickness that fills a critical gap in our medical landscape and offers new hope for millions," said Kelsang Norbu.

Backed by a meticulous Phase III clinical trial, the drug's development involved a collaboration of experts, with testing beginning at the Aerospace Center Hospital in Beijing before transitioning to the high altitudes of Xizang.

Published in the journal High Altitude Medicine & Biology, the trial demonstrated a 14.6 percent reduction in the incidence of moderate-to-severe altitude sickness compared with placebo groups.

"This drug targets the root causes of acute altitude sickness," Kelsang Norbu explained. "It helps individuals adapt better to oxygen-deficient and low-pressure environments. Unlike health supplements, which offer supplementary benefits, this medication has undergone rigorous clinical validation to ensure a scientifically standardized approach to prevention."

The capsule works by stabilizing the body's acid-base balance to improve respiratory efficiency and optimize blood oxygen levels. It also alleviates symptoms like headaches and dizziness, making it especially valuable for individuals living or traveling in high-altitude areas, as well as workers involved in plateau construction projects.

"By creating a specialized solution tailored to the Chinese population, we are not only improving health outcomes but also advancing Xizang's scientific standing in high-altitude medicine," he said.