Robinul (Glycopyrrolate) to reduce Hyperhidrosis/Excessive sweating

[veilofmaya]

I've suffered from this condition all my life and at a certain age it becomes unbearable so I asked my dermatologist about Robinul after reading about it on the net. He prescribed them to me but did not know much about them since they were not commonly used so that is why I am coming here to find out more about it.

He gave me 1mg x 60 and said to take 2 a day. I am 6'1" and weight about 190. He said I would get constipated and dehydrated, oh boy he was right. I would take half a mg a day and I would be absolutely dry for about 8 hours but very constipated. After a few days I dosed up to 1mg a day and now, after about 3 weeks, 1mg does not do much for me as it used to and I feel that 2mg a day wont be enough since a 1mg dose does not make me completely dry. For the constipation, I tried some laxative pills I found which I had for a long time and worked great but I am not sure I am doing the right thing.

My questions are:

- Can I mix the Glycopyrrolate with a laxative medication? If so, which laxative is recommended so that it does not inflict with the Glycopyrrolate? Anything over-the-counter?
- Would it be fine to dose up to 4mg a day taking 2mg twice a day?
- Does this medication affect the spleen or pancreas?
- Does citrus make the medication less effective? Anything else that can cause this?

[Denise916]

I wish more Drs. were knowlegable about the condition.  My Dr. just passed away and i had to go to a new Dr.  This is the second Dr. that i had to verse about the condition, and both Dr.'s had told me that they had previous patients who came to them for the same problem, and they did not know how to treat them.  Right now i take glycopyrolate, but since i have been on it for 8 years, i have to take 8 mg at the same time for it to work.   Keeps me dry sometimes all day, but sometimes not.  Caffeine, soda's, anxiety are all factors.  If i don't take it first thing in the morning, then have coffee... yick, you wouldn't want to shake my hand!  I have gotten shocked by plugging my hair dryer in. I have tried botox injections in my hands,   didn't stop it for very long.. temp solution, and i still think my hands are puffy from the injections. My hands, feet, and underarms sweat.  I looked into the ETS as an option, two surgeons from Boston agreed to do the surgery if i wanted.  But they advised me of the complications, and i searched side effect stories on youtube and it was enough that i have stayed away from the surgery.  Better to deal with something i know, that the unknown side effects that could happen and hinder my life even further.  To fellow people who suffer from this, you are not alone!  Even though it feels as though!  No one I know has the condition, except some family members (hence, genetic even though dr's don't know this yet either).  I have it the worst though... they have it very mild.  Good luck to all, and hopefully some magic cure will come about that doesn't involve cutting nerves, taking glycopyrolate, using ionic machines,and putting on  drysol overnight and wearing gloves to bed(which doesn't work at all).

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Glycopyrrolate is an anticholinergic drug and inhibitis the secretions in the body. with overdosage, a curare-like action may occur, i.e., neuro-muscular blockade leading to muscular weakness and possible paralysis. So it has to be used with caution. The presently recommended maximum daily dosage of glycopyrrolate is 8 mg. Using 2 mg twice as you are planning to do will expose you to many side effects of this drug and hence it is not recommended unless prescribed.

Treatment of hyperhidrosis usually involves antiperspirants like aluminium chloride (20-25%) in 70-90% alcohol, Iontophoresis (applying low intensity electric to the palms and/or soles immersed in an electrolyte solution), botox treatment and surgery if none of the above methods are helpful. There are no specific drugs available for this. You can talk about these treatment options with your dermatologist.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.