Oxybutynin as a Treatment for Hyperhidrosis

New research has suggested that oxybutynin, a medication commonly used to treat urinary incontinence, could be an effective treatment for Hyperhidrosis, according to the study published in Archives of Dermatological Research.

Hyperhidrosis is a condition where excessive sweating occurs in localized areas due to hyperfunctioning sweat glands. The study aimed to investigate patient satisfaction and the effectiveness of oxybutynin in treating Hyperhidrosis.

Study Overview

The study involved a prospective systematic review and meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials on PROSPERO, with a total of 293 patients. A total of 3 electronic databases were researched namely- PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. The studies included compared patients who were assigned to receive either oxybutynin or a placebo. The researchers assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool (ROB2).

Clinical Findings

• The results showed that oxybutynin significantly improved hyperhidrosis severity, as measured by the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) improvement.
• Oxybutynin also improved the quality of life of patients with hyperhidrosis.
• There was no significant difference between oxybutynin and placebo in terms of dry mouth, a common side effect of the medication.

The researchers concluded that oxybutynin could be a significant treatment option for hyperhidrosis and should be highlighted to clinicians. However, they also noted that more clinical trials are needed to fully understand the optimum benefit of the medication.

“Hyperhidrosis is a common condition that can have a significant impact on patient’s quality of life. Current treatment options include antiperspirants, iontophoresis, and botulinum toxin injections. The discovery of oxybutynin as a potential treatment option could offer new hope to patients with hyperhidrosis.”

Reference

El-Samahy, M., Mouffokes, A., Badawy, M.M. et al. Safety and efficacy of oxybutynin in patients with hyperhidrosis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arch Dermatol Res (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-023-02587-5