The action of this medication targets the apocrine and eccrine sweat glands and reduces their production. Antiperspirants constitute a milder and less efficient method of diminishing the negative effects of hyperhidrosis. Many patients notice that the available commercial non-medical antiperspirants don’t produce the desired effects. Deodorants designed for this purpose also manage to help contain excessive sweating, but they do not eliminate the problem. Probably the most efficient over the counter product is Aluminum Chloride, which, in high concentration, has a more powerful impact.

Drysol is an antiperspirant containing 20% Aluminum Chloride and anhydrous ethyl alcohol. It is mostly used to treat excessive underarm sweating and palmar hyperhidrosis. It is moderately effective and as a side effect it may cause serious skin irritation. The medicine is applied to the areas affected by hyperhidrosis and is left there for six hours. It is recommended that the drug is applied at night, before going to sleep and then washed off in the morning. Long term results are not satisfactory, even though the initial effects are positive.

Another medical antiperspirant used in treating hyperhidrosis is Xertac AC. Obadan and Maxim are also commonly used to treat excessive sweating, but they are not as efficient as Drysol. Solutions based on ethanol, formalin and tannic acid are also used to treat hyperhidrosis but they are known to produce skin irritation. These antiperspirants work best when applied at night, when the negative manifestations of hypderhidrosis are reduced. The best curative effects for palmar hyperhidrosis are obtained when the antiperspirants are used in a combination with plastic gloves

Stronger antiperspirants such as Drysol, ArmsUp, WhipWetless lotion, Odaban, Mitchum Clear Gel Sport and gel base AICI can be used to control profuse sweating.

A few popular drugs commonly taken under the care of a physician are Probanthine, Prpranolol SR and Xanax.