An alternative to treat palmar hyperhidrosis: use of oxybutynin

To evaluate the effectiveness and patient satisfaction with the use of oxybutynin at low doses for treating palmar hyperhidrosis in a large series of patients.

From January 2007 to June 2009, 180 consecutive patients with palmar hyperhidrosis were treated with oxybutynin. Data were collected from 139 patients (41 patients were lost to follow-up). During the first week, patients received 2.5 mg of oxybutynin once per day; from the 8th to the 42nd day, 2.5 mg twice per day; and from the 43rd day to the end of the 12th week, 5 mg, twice per day. All of the patients underwent three evaluations before and after the oxybutynin treatment (at 6 and 12 weeks), using a clinical questionnaire and a clinical protocol for quality of life (QOL).

More than 80% of the patients experienced an improvement in palmar hyperhidrosis. Most of the patients showed improvements in their QOL (74.6%). The side effects were minor, with dry mouth being the most frequent (70.5%).

The use of oxybutynin is an alternative as the first step in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis, given that it presents good results and improves QOL.