Long‐term results of the treatment of primary hyperhidrosis with oxybutynin: follow‐up of 1,658 cases

Abstract

BackgroundHyperhidrosis (HH) is characterized by exaggerated sweating in a specific region due to hyperfunction of the sweat glands. In the late 2000s, we started treating patients with an anticholinergic, oxybutynin, that was not being used until then.ObjectivesTo present, after 12 years of utilizing this medication in our service, the substantial experience obtained with the use of oxybutynin as an initial treatment of HH in a large series of 1,658 patients.MethodsWe analyzed 1,658 patients treated with oxybutynin for HH from May 2006 to June 2018. The patients were divided into four groups according to the main site of HH: the plantar group, the axillary group, the facial group, and the palmar group. To measure the degree of satisfaction, a quality of life (QoL) questionnaire was used.ResultsPre‐treatment QoL was poor or very poor in more than 94% of the cases, and the palmar group had the worst quality of life. After treatment, we observed an improvement in the quality of life in 77% of patients. More than 70% of the patients in all groups present moderate or optimal subjective clinical improvement in sweating after treatment. The group with the best result was the facial group. Intense dry mouth was reported in 24.9% of all patients in all groups.ConclusionsThis study included a large number of patients followed for a long period and demonstrated the good effectiveness of treatment with oxybutynin for hyperhidrosis in the main sites of sweating.

Oxybutynin in primary hyperhidrosis: A long‐term real‐life study

“…Hyperhidrosis is a condition of excessive sweating beyond physiological parameters that affects 2.8% of the population 1 . This condition can seriously impair quality of life 2…”

“…In a literature review, Cruddas and Baker found, among the oxybutynin studies, an average follow-up of 6 weeks (42 days) to 385 days. 4 In a recent study, Wolosker et al 1 Regarding adverse effects, it was observed that the majority was mild (79%). Dry mouth (76%), palpitation (26%), dry eyes (23%), and urinary retention (23%) were the most frequent adverse effects.…”

“…HDSS, hyperhidrosis, oxybutynin, pharmacology, quality of life, therapy-systemic Hyperhidrosis is a condition of excessive sweating beyond physiological parameters that affects 2.8% of the population. 1 This condition can seriously impair quality of life. 2 Oxybutynin was the first oral anticholinergic to be described in the treatment of hyperhidrosis and it is the preferred oral drug for the condition.…”

“…3 Studies have demonstrated its effectiveness, but a few include long-term follow-up above 1 year. 1,3 In a real-life long-term study, we aimed to evaluate the oral oxybutynin effectiveness in hyperhidrosis, besides its tolerance and safety, at Dermatology Clinic of Hospital do Servidor Público Municipal de São Paulo (Ethics Committee approval 80 345 917.4.0000.5442).…”

“…Our demographic findings were in agreement with literature, although age varies between studies mainly regarding the type of hyperhidrosis studied. 1,4 Regarding quality of life and oxybutynin in hyperhidrosis, Schollhammer et al 6 observed HDSS improvement of two levels in 18/30 (61%) patients with 7.5 mg/day for 6 weeks. Wolosker et al, 1 in a retrospective study of 1657 hyperhidrosis patients receiving 10 mg/day, observed an improvement of two levels in HDSS in 46.7% of patients, while 19.3% had three levels; 24.9% of patients had intense dry mouth.…”