Thousands of patients in the United Kingdom will soon have access to a new cream designed to significantly reduce excessive sweating. The treatment, named Axhidrox and containing the active ingredient glycopyrronium bromide, is applied topically to the armpits and works by blocking nerve signals that stimulate sweat glands. While other treatments for hyperhidrosis, such as Botox injections and oral medications, are available, Axhidrox is the first cream developed and approved in the UK specifically for this condition.
Medical-grade antiperspirants that create a blockage within sweat glands are currently available but can cause irritation and stinging. Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is believed to affect approximately 2.8 million people in Britain. The condition is characterized by sweating that occurs independently of room temperature, stress, or physical exertion. Researchers suggest the root cause may be misfiring in the brain region controlling armpit sweat glands, with a potential genetic link suspected in 25-50% of cases. It is not yet known what specifically triggers the condition.
Clinical Trials and Availability
The new treatment is expected to become available to NHS patients who have not responded to other therapies in the coming months. It will also be available for purchase through online pharmacies at a cost of around £130.
Clinical trials have demonstrated the cream's efficacy. In a study involving 518 patients, regular use of Axhidrox for 12 weeks resulted in an average reduction in perspiration of 65%. A significant portion of participants experienced even greater relief, with one-third seeing a 75% reduction and one in five achieving a 90% decrease in sweating. These benefits were observed to last for approximately one year, according to the German study.
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Potential Side Effects and Impact of Hyperhidrosis
Common side effects reported during clinical trials included skin reactions, dry mouth and eyes, constipation, and blurred vision. Manufacturers Axunio, a German company, advise patients to avoid contact with eyes, mouth, and nose. They also caution users to discontinue use immediately and seek medical attention if they experience signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, or throat that impedes swallowing or breathing, or if itching and rashes occur.
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Studies indicate that hyperhidrosis can be a debilitating condition, negatively impacting the quality of life for around 75% of those affected. Individuals with hyperhidrosis are reported to be twice as likely to experience anxiety and nearly three times as likely to suffer from depression compared to the general population. Recent research in the U.S. identified a potential genetic factor, with one-fifth of sufferers potentially having a mutation in a gene that regulates sweat gland activity. Scientists at Johns Hopkins University engineered mice with this mutation and observed that they developed excessive sweating, suggesting a specific target for future therapeutic development.