Side Effect: Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)

What is Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)?

Excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, is a condition characterized by an abnormal amount of sweating beyond what is necessary to regulate body temperature. It can occur in various parts of the body, such as the palms, feet, armpits, and face, and can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.

Hyperhidrosis can be primary or secondary:

• Primary hyperhidrosis is due to overactive sweat glands and typically affects specific areas of the body.
• Secondary hyperhidrosis is usually a result of an underlying medical condition such as cancer, infection, or hormonal imbalances and may cause sweating all over the body.

What does Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) look like?

Excessive sweating can appear as visible sweat stains on clothing or wetness on the skin. In severe cases, sweat may drip off the affected areas. For some people, this may cause some discomfort or embarrassment.

Who gets Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)?

Patients with cancer can experience excessive sweating as a result of the disease itself or as a side effect of a medication.

Some cancers that can cause excessive sweating include, but are not limited to::

• lymphoma
• leukemia
• neuroendocrine tumors
• tumors that affect the adrenal glands

Some medications that can cause excessive sweating include, but are not limited to:

• SSRI: citalopram (Celexa®), escitalopram (Lexapro®), sertraline (Zoloft®), fluoxetine (Prozac®), paroxetine (Paxil®)
• SNRI: duloxetine (Cymbalta®), venlafaxine (Effexor®), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq®), levomilnacipran (Fetzima®)
• Aromatase inhibitors: anastrozole (Arimidex®), letrozole (Femara®), exemestane (Aromasin®)
• Tamoxifen (Nolvadex®)

How to prevent Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)

Preventing excessive sweating in patients with cancer can involve several measures, such as:

• Avoiding hot and humid environments
• Avoiding spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol
• Wearing loose, breathable clothing
• Using antiperspirants or talcum powder

How to treat Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)

Treatment for excessive sweating may involve treating the underlying disease, adjusting medication dosages, or switching to alternative treatments. Additional therapies may include:

• Topical aluminum chloride (Drysol®) solution
• Antiperspirants
• Botulinum toxin injections
• Anticholinergic medications: oxybutynin, glycopyrrolate
• Benzodiazepines
• Iontophoresis (passing a weak electrical current through the skin)
• Surgery
• Hormone replacement therapy (when sweating is due to hormone imbalance)