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Hyperhidrosis Medications at a Glance From medications to side effects to eating habits, here’s what you need to know.
Hello, I’m Dr. Sangchul Hwang, an autonomic nervous system researcher and therapist. I have met and deeply sympathized with many hyperhidrosis patients in my clinic who have sweaty palms that smudge the writing on exams, are afraid to shake hands, and have to choose the color of their clothes when summer comes. Today, I’m going to talk about the types of medications used to treat hyperhidrosis, their effectiveness, side effects, and how to eat and apply them properly.
Types of Hyperhidrosis Medications Features of Oral and Topical Medications
Medications for hyperhidrosis fall into two main categories. The first are oral medications that you take, such as glycopyrrolate and oxybutynin. These medications belong to the anticholinergic class and work by blocking acetylcholine, the signal transmitter that tells your body to sweat. They’re powerful because they don’t physically block the sweat pores, but rather interrupt the command to sweat. Next up are topicals, which are pills you apply. These include Sweatroll, which is a pad for facial sweating, Cubrexza, which is for underarms, and Sofdra gel, which is like Botox on steroids. Topicals have the advantage of being safer than surgery because they only work where they are needed, so there are fewer systemic side effects, and they return to normal when you stop using them.
Systemic Side Effects of Anticholinergic Medications You Should Know About
The biggest downside of oral anticholinergics is that they don’t just stop the glands, they stop water secretion throughout the body. The most common symptom is dry mouth, which can cause your mouth to dry out. You can also experience dry eyes, which can make it difficult to wear contacts, and constipation due to slow bowel movements. In fact, dry eyes and constipation are the most common complaints I see in my office. In addition to these, you may also experience palpitations, which is when your heart beats fast, or brain fog, which is when your head feels foggy. It’s important to discuss long-term use with your doctor, especially since a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that adults over the age of 55 who take anticholinergics daily for three years or more can increase their risk of dementia by 49%.
Contraindications and intraocular pressure issues to watch out for when using medications
The most common condition to watch out for when using anticholinergics is glaucoma. If you have glaucoma, you need to be absolutely careful because the medication can raise your intraocular pressure, and it’s important to note that this can happen even if you don’t have glaucoma. If you experience bloodshot eyes, blurred vision, or heavy pain around your eyes while taking your medication, you should see an eye doctor immediately. Regular eye pressure checks are recommended, as elevated eye pressure can develop without any recognizable symptoms. Special attention should also be paid to people with an enlarged prostate, which can make it difficult to pass urine. For topical medications, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after use, as rubbing your eyes with the hand that applied the medication may cause temporary dilated pupils or blurred vision.
How to take and apply hyperhidrosis medications correctly
To be effective, your medication must be taken on an empty stomach, 30 minutes to an hour before a meal, as absorption is greatly reduced when taken with food. It’s important to start with a low dose to find the minimum effective dose that works for you. There are five steps to applying the medication: first, wash the area to be applied thoroughly and dry it thoroughly with cold air from a hairdryer to reduce skin irritation. It’s best to apply before bed when sweating is low, and if you’re using Sweatroll for the face, you should avoid the area around your eyes and lips. The next morning, rinse the applied area thoroughly with water to minimize skin irritation and adjust the frequency of use according to the effectiveness.
Hyperhidrosis and food management Strategies to watch out for foods to avoid
Avoiding sweat-inducing foods is a much smarter strategy for managing hyperhidrosis than eating good food. Caffeine, alcohol, spicy and hot foods stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, making you sweat more, and refined carbohydrates – bread, rice, cotton, and sugar – are the ones to watch out for. When you eat a lot of refined carbohydrates, you experience rebound hypoglycemia, where your blood sugar rises and falls rapidly, and your body goes into emergency mode and releases adrenaline. This hormone stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and causes an overproduction of acetylcholine, which leads to sweaty hands, feet, and face. Hyperhidrosis is a condition that needs to be managed, not cured, so work with a healthcare professional to find the right management plan for you. If you find that taking both medications is making your life difficult because you’re too puffy-eyed or constipated, you may want to consider other alternatives, such as herbal remedies, rather than overdoing it.
In this article, we’ve covered the basics of hyperhidrosis medications, their effects and side effects, and how to use them correctly. We hope this helps you if you suffer from the discomfort of sweating.
