Topical Oxybutynin 3% Gel Versus Aluminum Chloride 15% Lotion in Treatment of Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating beyond thermoregulatory needs. It is a potentially disabling condition with challenging management. Aluminum chloride is the established topical treatment; however, response remains unsatisfactory. Oxybutynin is an anticholinergic drug that stands as a therapeutic chance for hyperhidrosis.

comparing the efficacy of topical oxybutynin 3% gel versus aluminum chloride 15% lotion in treatment of primary focal hyperhidrosis.

Forty patients with hyperhidrosis were randomly distributed into 2 equal groups treated by either topical oxybutynin 3% gel or topical aluminum chloride 15% lotion once daily night application for 4 weeks (both groups). Evaluation was done at 2 and 4 weeks of treatment and after 1 month of the end of treatment for follow up by Minor iodine starch test, hyperhidrosis disease severity scale (HDSS) and dermatology life quality index (DLQI).

Both treatment modalities were effective with insignificant differences between patients of both groups regarding improvement in Minor iodine starch test and HDSS after 2 weeks of treatment (P = 0.561, 0.33 respectively). Oxybutynin 3% gel yielded significantly better improvement of Minor's test, HDSS and patient's quality of life at the end of 4 weeks of treatment with lower recurrence rate than aluminum chloride 15% lotion at 1 month follow up. Minimal adverse effects were noted in both studied groups.

Oxybutynin 3% gel could be considered as a promising treatment modality for hyperhidrosis with higher efficacy than aluminum chloride 15% lotion and lower recurrence rate.