Novel lotion formulation helps reduce palm sweating

A new lotion formulation of 20% oxybutynin hydrochloride (20% OL) demonstrates efficacy in reducing palmar sweat volume among patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPHH) when compared with placebo, results of a phase III study have shown.

“No previous controlled studies have been specifically designed or adequately powered to show the efficacy of topical oxybutynin for palmar hyperhidrosis by using quantitative measures,” according to the investigators, who then set out to conduct this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

The investigators examined the efficacy of 20% OL in reducing palmar sweat volume in Japanese patients with PPHH aged ≥12 years. They randomly assigned the participants to receive either 20% OL (n=144) or placebo (n=140) on both palms once daily for 4 weeks, and subsequently measured palmar sweat volume using the ventilated capsule method.

Treatment response, the primary outcome, was defined as a decrease in sweat volume of at least 50 percent from baseline.

At week 4, patients in the 20% OL group had a significantly higher response rate than those in the placebo group (52.8 percent vs 24.3 percent; treatment difference, 28.5 percent, 95 percent confidence interval, 17.7‒39.3; p<0.001).

Serious adverse events (AE) were not reported, and no AEs prompted any cessation of treatment.

Notably, the study was limited by its short duration of only 4 weeks, according to the investigators.