The FDA has just approved the first drug that specifically targets the issue of excessive sweating. Qbrexza could help reduce the negative impacts of primary axillary hyperhidrosis in affected people’s lives.

FDA Approved Drug For Sweating

On June 29, the FDA announced the approval of the first drug that was made to reduce excessive sweating, Qbrexza. The drug is inside a cloth that was made to be wiped over the skin once daily, so as to prevent the sweat glands from being activated.

According to a statement by the drug’s manufacturers, Dermira, the approval was made based on the results of two clinical trials in which the drug was assessed in terms of its efficacy and safety among patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis. In one study, 53 percent of the patients even reported that the drug was effective in reducing their sweat production by half.

“From the start, our goal was to develop an approach that went beyond masking a person’s excessive underarm sweating and instead focused on treating the condition in a clinically meaningful way,” said Tom Wiggans, the chairman and chief executive officer of Dermira.

Some possible side effects of Qbrexza may include dry mouth, sore throat, headache, dry nose, dry skin, dry eye, urinary retention, and constipation. The drug may also cause blurry vision and pupil dilation if it comes in contact with the eyes.

So far, there is no word on how much the drug will be, but it is set to be available for prescription by October 2018.

Excessive Armpit Sweat

Approximately 15 million Americans are affected by primary axillary hyperhidrosis or excessive underarm sweating. Both men and women suffer from this sweat-related condition, which results in sweating that exceeds the needs for regulating body temperature. This affects many aspects of the affected people’s lives, and studies have even shown that the condition often hinders normal daily activities, and may even cause occupational, emotional, social, psychological, and physical impairments.

So far, the exact cause of the condition is unclear, but the common remedies that dermatologists recommend may include prescription antiperspirants, botox injections, procedures that use microwave or laser technology, or even surgeries in which the sweat glands are removed, though this is not often recommended.

In many cases, the prescription antiperspirants are recommended as the first line of defense against excessive sweating, but some may require further treatments in cases wherein the individual is faced or will face stress or other anxiety-inducing situations.