A randomised controlled trial of topical glycopyrrolate, the first specific treatment for diabetic gustatory sweating.

Abstract

The treatment of gustatory sweating in diabetes mellitus is usually with oral anti-cholinergic drugs, but these frequently lead to unacceptable side effects. Glycopyrrolate is an anti-muscarinic agent that can be applied topically and is efficacious in gustatory sweating occurring in other conditions. In a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study, we assessed the value of glycopyrrolate in 13 diabetic patients with gustatory sweating. Sweating was measured by a sweat challenge, and diaries recorded by the patients throughout the 2 weeks of each treatment period. Compared to placebo, glycopyrrolate reduced the sweat response to a challenge by 82% (p < 0.01). The frequency of episodes of gustatory sweating during the treatment period was also reduced by 51% (p < 0.01), with a nearly 100% reduction in the frequency of episodes of severe sweating (p < 0.01). In conclusion, topically applied glycopyrrolate is a very effective treatment in reducing both the severity and frequency of diabetic gustatory sweating.

• Authors: J E Shaw, C A Abbott, K Tindle, S Hollis, A J Boulton
• Journal: Diabetologia (Diabetologia) Vol. 40 Issue 3 Pg. 299-301 (Mar 1997) ISSN: 0012-186X [Print] Germany
• PMID: 9084967 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Muscarinic Antagonists
• Placebos
• Glycopyrrolate

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Cross-Over Studies
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 (complications, physiopathology)
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 (complications, physiopathology)
• Diabetic Neuropathies (physiopathology)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Glycopyrrolate (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Muscarinic Antagonists (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Placebos
• Respiration
• Sweating, Gustatory (drug therapy, etiology)