Publications

Katherine H. Flanagan MD and Dee Anna Glaser MD
Department of Dermatology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

Click here to download this article.

Primary focal hyperhidrosis (HH) is a chronic disorder of excessive sweating. A single-center, open-label study was performed to determine the efficacy and safety of 15% aluminum chloride (AC) in 2% salicylic acid gel base (SAGB) Hydrosal in adults with moderate-to-severe primary axillary HH. Thirty subjects were given 15% AC in 2% SAGB to apply to their bilateral axillae nightly for the first week, then twice weekly application as tolerated. The primary objective was change in mean Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Score (HDSS) score from baseline to week 4.

Overall, participants reported significant improvements in satisfaction with treatment with 15% AC in SAGB. At week 4, 75.8% of participants were either somewhat or very satisfied with their current treatment of their axillary HH compared with baseline (p<0.001). Similar results were observed at week 12…Regarding improvement in ability to perform current work activities, 69% reported being either somewhat or very satisfied at week 4. This trend improved performance of work activities continued at week 12.

The subgroup that had used high-strength AC previously replied similarly with 61.5% stating that they were either somewhat or very satisfied with current treatment, and 69.2% were either somewhat or very satisfied with their ability to perform work activities.

Participants also experienced significant improvements in quality-of-life indices assayed by the HHIQ. Specifically, participants reported significant improvements in frequency of changing shirts during the day, improved emotional status regarding their hyperhidrosis, improvements in multiple activities or social situations, and improved effectiveness at work.

The majority of participants at weeks 4 and 12 reported absent-to-mild symptoms of irritation.

This open-label pilot study of the efficacy and safety of 15% AC in a 2% SAGB demonstrated improvement in over 70% of participants with moderate-to-severe axillary hyperhidrosis and was well tolerated with minimal side effects. This medication was successful in treating patients who had previously failed other high-strength aluminum chloride medications, with nearly 70% of these participants showing significant improvement in HDSS scores.

Disclosure: This study was funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Valeo Pharma.
© 2009-Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. All Rights Reserved