L-Tryptophan does not influence acute ventilatory response at moderate altitude

Altitude induced insomnia is a very common symptom in mountaineering. Conventional hypnotics such as benzodiazepines potentially can be associated with untoward side effects because they can impair ventilatory adaptation to hypoxia at altitude. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of a alternative potentially sedative drug, L-tryptophan on ventilation at moderate altitude. STUDY DESIGN, METHODS AND RELEVANT RESULTS: Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled crossover trial. Blood gas analysis of 8 healthy subjects was performed before and one hour after oral administration of 500 mg L-tryptophan or placebo at altitudes of 171 m and at 3,000 m. PaO2 and PaCO2 before and after L-Tryptophan or placebo medication did not change significantly at neither level of altitude investigated. CONCLUSION: L-tryptophan does not impair ventilatory adaptation to mild hypoxia at moderate altitude.