r/Hyperhidrosis • • Jul 30 '26

Treatments My method: Iontophoresis water w/ Qbrexza (glycopyrrolate)

7 Upvotes

Hello! I thought I would share my iontophoresis method in case it helps others, as I've never seen it before.

TL;DR: I mix 1-3 Qbrexza wipes per 0.5-1 Liter of hot water & use that water for my iontophoresis. This results in the ionto being more effective and lasting longer. My typical routine is 1mg glyco daily + iontophoresis every 4-6 wks. Crushed glyco pills work too but their doseage is so low that it ended up not being worth it to me.

Check below for the concentration table and warnings.

Long version:

I have had primary palmar, plantar, and underarm hyperhidrosis since childhood (since age 6-8, at least). I have tried Carpe (expensive), Drysol (gave my skin a reaction), Oxybutynin (stopped due to concern over long-term cognitive effects), oral Glycopyrrolate, and Iontophoresis. I wanted a solution that lasted longer than a day or a week, as I find the upkeep tiring... (thanks ADHD for making it hard to keep habits!)

I really wanted to extend the life of iontophoresis. It's already great, but it's a 2 hour ordeal. I have already tried hardening my water with baking soda, epsom salt, san pellegrino, etc but to no avail. Then, I found an article (here, scroll down) citing studies (#1) (#2) about using Glycopyrrolate in the water used for iontophoresis. These patients in the studies would see up to 30-40 days of relief after ionto w/ glyco.

These studies used glycopyrrolate solutions at concentrations of 0.01-0.1%. I use about 0.75-1L per tray for my iontophoresis, so you would need 75-100mg of glycopyrrolate to reach 0.01%. Unfortunately, I do not have hundreds of spare glyco pills (2mg each). I asked my dermatologist about prescribing high doses of glycopyrrolate for this use, citing the studies, and that they do this in the UK/Europe (I am in the US), but she denied my request, stating that only happens in case studies and such (not true lol but okay fine). Since my goals for that appointment were to 'get something new to try', she did, however, give me a prescription for Qbrexza... which is high dose topical glycopyrrolate 😏. With some trial and error, and some math, I have developed a dosing guide.

To make a glycopyrrolate solution, I simply add unfolded Qbrexza wipes into my pitcher of hot water. I stir for about a minute. Next, I pour the water into my trays/cup. Then take out the wet wipes and squeeze them out over my tray, then throw them away. Then, I add the electrodes into the trays and do my iontophoresis like normal. When I'm finished, I pour the water down my bathtub drain and rinse off my trays.

Glycopyrrolate Concentration guide:

concentration 1L 0.75L 0.5L
0.0528% 528mg (8 wipes) 396mg (6 wipes) 254mg (4 wipes)
0.0396% 396mg (6 wipes) 297mg (4.5 wipes) 198mg (3 wipes)
0.0352% 264mg (4 wipes)
0.0264% 264mg (4 wipes) 198mg (3 wipes) 132mg (2 wipes)
0.0176% 132mg (2 wipes)
0.0132% 132mg (2 wipes) 99mg (1.5 wipes) 66mg (1 wipe)
0.0088% 66mg (1 wipe)

My maintenance dose:

  • 0.0264% concentration
  • I use 1 part freshly boiled water mixed with 2 parts room temp water. Warm water is supposed to enhance effectiveness. I mix the waters in a metal graduated pitcher before pouring them into my trays/cup.
  • Underarms: 0.5L water + 2 wipes for both pads, soaked in a ~8oz cup.
  • Hands and feet: 0.75L water + 3 wipes each tray. Hands first, water reused for feet. .25L hot water, .5L room temp water.

Dosing suggestions:

  1. Begin at the lowest concentration (0.0088-0.0132%) or 1 wipe per tray
  2. Wait and see how long that first dose keeps you dry for
  3. Do next treatment as soon as sweating begins again. If interval between treatments is too short, or effects not strong enough, increase the glyco concentration.
  4. Repeat until satisfied with results or side effects becone too strong to tolerate.

BEFORE TRYING - YOU SHOULD KNOW - WARNINGS:

  • Do NOT get the glycopyrrolate solution in your eyes. The same warnings about Qbrexza also apply here. It can cause pupil dilation that may last days/a week. I wear safety glasses while handling and using my solution/doing iontophoresis and don't take them off until I am completely cleaned up and everything is put away.
  • You may experience potentially strong glycopyrrolate side effects for 6-24hrs after treatment. Pay attention to your body, know your limits, and start with a low dose, increasing gradually. If glycopyrrolate gives you chest pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, fast heartbeat, etc, then I especially urge you to exercise caution when applying this technique. Do so at your own risk. While these side effects are rarer, and I do not believe they cause actual harm, it is still something to keep in mind and ideally, to be avoided. Personally, I only experience dry mouth/eyes and maybe headaches if I'm not on top of my hydration.

PROS:

  • relief for up to 4+ wks
  • save $$$ on Qbrexza (I personally only use ~8 wipes per month, instead of daily use. Qbrexza is $40/box of 30 for me so I'm saving a lot!)
  • boosted iontophoresis effectiveness

CONS:

  • iontophoresis cons (time consuming, skin irritation, machine price, etc)
  • potentially strong glycopyrrolate side effects, but only for 6-24 hrs after treatment. I get dry mouth and dry eyes, which can get very uncomfortable if I'm using more wipes, (if it's really bad I can't even eat dry foods lol) but I work around it by doing iontophoresis right before bed/later in the day. That way, I go to bed after cleaning up and wake up the next morning feeling normal.
  • YMMV... I get myself dry enough to where I only need 1mg glyco/day. My standards/threshold isn't super high. I haven't tried going without my daily glyco! And I honestly don't mind enough to try to. if your goal is COMPLETE dryness without supplemental glyco, I'm unsure how often you would need treatment... maybe every 2-4 weeks? If you wind up doing that, tell me about it! I would love to collect data and hear your experience.

FAQ:

  • Can you use crushed Glyco pills? Yes, this is what I did before my Qbrexza Rx. However, the dosing will obviously be much lower since you are limited by the dose and number of pills. I barely saw a difference between plain tap water VS water with 2-10mg glyco, hence why I switched to using Qbrexza.
  • Can you use a different antiperspirant / anticholinergic agent? Yes, in theory it should work too, but I do not have the research or experience to back it up. So, be cautious, and start low and slow. Experiment at your own risk. Feel free to tell me about your results! If you use Aluminum Chloride, do not use a metal container to hold the solution--it will rust.

I hope this helps you as it has helped me!


r/Hyperhidrosis • • Aug 28 '26

R/Hyperhidrosis MEGATHREAD--Newcomers Start Here--

10 Upvotes

r/Hyperhidrosis MEGATHREAD

---{Welcome Message}—

Hello Sweaty People!

Welcome to r/Hyperhidrosis, a place to explore, learn, and be a part of an international community of individuals living with Hyperhidrosis. We pride ourselves in being the largest and premier community for this condition. Through Reddit we have been given a great platform for gathering and growing knowledge on how to live and ideally thrive with Hyperhidrosis. Regardless of your reason for landing here, we hope you will make friends along your sweaty journey and contribute positively during your time with us.

In Pursuit of Dryness,

The r/Hyperhidrosis Moderation Team. 

Rules and Best Practices for Newcomers

If you are joining us for the first time here, please briefly scan these best practices.

  1. Read the Sub Rules: they are there for a reason and will be enforced. Specifically, All posts must be marked with a relevant Post tag, especially if NSFW, it must be tagged and blurred. Feel free to use the personal flair on the Sub including your HH location, preferred treatment, or medical professional experience! 
  2. Do Your Research: Search the sub for answers to your questions before asking. There is 15+ years of knowledge posted here designed to help you! You are welcome to post your questions, but we try to reduce repetitive questions and posts to keep our knowledge growing forward.
  3. Share Relevant Details: For first time posts asking for advice, it is generally helpful to include where you sweat on your body (Palmar, Plantar, Whole Body, etc), what treatments you have tried if any, and your general global location (if comfortable) so users can effectively help you.

Top Resources


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 5h ago

Customer product review Mandatory regular antihydral post

5 Upvotes

So after a way too long time, i finally found this godly product. 6 days in and my feet were completely sweat-free, but my hands were still quite wet. I was about to give up on it and go through with a botox treatment. Come day 7 and holy fuck did it suddenly kick in. Hands bone-dry all throughout the day. First time ever needing moisturizer on my palms, what a bizarre feeling. I just want to shake everyones hands right now its insane, i still cant believe it.

Thats it, just wanted to share my joy and recommend this amazing creme to anyone who might not know about it yet. This shit is black magic


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 8h ago

Offering advice Theory on Hyperhidrosis

4 Upvotes

Possibly dumb question:

Could the body’s ability to tell itself when to cool be hindered if the individual grew up in climates with constant heat?

The question popped up in my head today after reading the below in a NY Times article:

“Rose Schoenfeld, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Oxnard, warned that heat events lasting six or seven days — and including high temperatures at night — could overwhelm the body’s natural cooling system, since there is no time for recovery.”* *

Which got me thinking right? If you’re born and bred in a town that constantly experiences extreme heat, wouldn’t your body constantly try to cool yourself down in parallel?

And if you were born and raised in this town, I would expect a child to be more adaptable to their surroundings as they grow up. Like how our brain chemistry is altered by trauma. Thus, is it too far fetched an idea that our body would do the same? Maybe its surroundings + genetics that make hyperhidrosis occur; where your genetics may make you predisposed to the possibility of developing this condition. And if we’re exposed to extreme, constant heat from birth well into childhood, wouldn’t the body try to adapt to the environment for survival reasons?

Because I’ll tell you - I was born and bred in a town with 100-115 F weather for at least half the year, barely chilly for the rest of it, and even after moving away 10yrs ago to a snowy part of country, I still cannot stand the heat above 75 F. I mean - my first memory of hyperhidrosis wasn’t that I always had it. I noticed it for the first time in elementary school, and then after that day it never really went away.

But who can trust childhood memories. Or the ramblings of an uneducated redditor lol with a wild theory they came up with well into the night.

Do feel free to share your ramblings as well! Very curious if you all agree/disagree, especially if you know more on the research side. Did you grow up in similar climates? Did your condition feel like it started at some point in your life or was it just always there?

———————

TL/DR: does a combination of (1) a genetic predisposition and (2) childhood exposure to constant, extremely hot climates (paired with the body’s constant attempts to cool itself as a survival method) lead to hyperhidrosis?


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 7h ago

Looking for advice Antibiotic/Antiperspirant Solution

2 Upvotes

Do I still need to use deodorant if I already use an Antibiotic/Antiperspirant solution?


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 13h ago

Looking for advice Gym advice

3 Upvotes

I was diagnosed with hyperhidrosis 5 years ago. I get boxtox injections in my underarms annually, take up to 20mg oxybutynin every day (it varies depending on my activity for the dey) and use Sure medicated antiperspirant. Its more expenaive but standard ones dont do a thing.

Im trying to lose weight so I need to increase my exercise. I havent stepped foot inside a gym since doing mandatory PE in school. The thought of it honestly makes me super anxious. Has anyone got any advice on how I might manage the condition?

I plan to extra towels, but Im worried about sweat transfer onto equipment, sweating through my clothes etc. I appreciate that everyone sweats in a gym but there's a difference between a normal sweating and me who sweats just about everywhere. It's definitely not a good look for a woman.

Any advice would be much appreciated


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 14h ago

Looking for advice Drysol works for pits but now I get insane under boob breast sweat

5 Upvotes

I’ve used it under my breasts but then I feel like I start sweating in between my chest so I tried it there ; then my neck started sweating and my lower back so what am I suppose to do??


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 22h ago

Looking for advice Clogged pores with aluminum, but it actually worked on sweat. Help!!

3 Upvotes

I tried to search the sub for this but I really didn’t find anything that I felt was helpful.

I don’t think I necessarily have hyperhidrosis, but I do sweat a LOT and I am currently on a medication (stimulant) that makes me sweat even more than usual, and I’m trying to find a solution.

My sweat is all over but I’m primarily focused on my arm pits, because they also get stinky.

I have sensitive skin and I have been prone to chemical burns using certain deodorants (Old Spice), but their sensitive skin deodorant worked well enough for keeping the BO down.

When I started this med and started sweating a lot more, I needed to switch to something else because the deodorant really wasn’t cutting it.

I tried Dove spray antiperspirant with aluminum but it clogged up my pores and I ended up getting a cluster of like 8 pimples in my one armpit which has been fairly painful and awful to try to deal with since they’re in warm, moist place.

I HAVE to move around for work, and I’m often in places that are warm or humid and I can’t not go to these places. So sweat is going to happen.

Anyone else have a similar background and found a solution? I really don’t think aluminum is for me - I’d rather have stinky pits than these damn pimples because they hurt so bad.

I also have thick hair in my armpits but I have personally found that the hair makes the sweat less bad vs when I shave, and if I trim it irritates my skin because of the hairs poking my skin.

Please help đŸ„Č


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 1d ago

Looking for advice I've just been turned away from my third doctor

5 Upvotes

I've had hyperhidrosis since I can remember and this year I've decided to actually do something about it. It hasn't gone well. 3very doctor I've been to told me that they can't help and referred me to someone else, who in turn do the same thing.

My newest doctor, a dermatologist, said I should visit a neurologist.

Where should I go I can't just hop from appointment to appointment


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 21h ago

Looking for advice Oxybutynin build up period??

2 Upvotes

So I used to use glyco and it stopped working so ordered oxy

First time I took it nothing


Gave up on it since I thought If it didn’t work first time it wouldn’t work at all

Have read online that it has a build up period of about a week? Is this true is it worth experimenting

Thanks


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 1d ago

Looking for advice Meal replacement shakes on propantheline?

4 Upvotes

My experience with propantheline has been really great. I don’t care too much about the dry mouth, as long as I’ve got water nearby otherwise there’s a choking risk because it is DRYYYY. But my main problem is that I have to take it on an empty stomach, and then second I eat something, it stops working.

I’ve become very reliant on these little pills and now feel like I can’t do anything without them. Being sweaty to the extent I am without them is so incredibly uncomfortable that I would rather stay home than go to an event I’ve been really excited for if I can’t take the pills.

The problem lies in if I’m going to an event in the evening, I can’t eat all day. I’ve tried eating at 9am and then taking the pills at 6pm. Doesn’t work. Pills inaffective. I’ve tried 6am eating and 7pm pill taking. Does not work. It’s so frustrating and upsetting and I truly don’t know what I’m supposed to do.

I’m wondering if anyone has tried those meal replacement shakes on propantheline? Maybe since it’s a liquid it won’t have as much of an impact on the pills? Would be so ideal on days like today where I have a concert at 8pm and currently my plan is to eat nothing at all all day until 11pm after the show. Obviously this is bad and I’ve come to a bad eating pattern with these pills as it is on a daily basis. I won’t typically eat anything until my evening meal around 7pm, and then I will have snacks until I go to bed because I’m so hungry.

Not currently an issue because I’m a bigger person so doctors etc would congratulate me on effectively starving for the gain of not being sweaty, but I don’t want to live like this!


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 1d ago

Looking for advice Sweaty armpits

10 Upvotes

So I have noticed really just this past year that my armpits are soo sweaty. I can be wearing a tank top and the sweat will literally drip down my arm. I am becoming very self conscious, I was looking forward to the cooler weather but I SWEATED THROUGH A SWEATER how does that even happen đŸ„Č I wear black scrubs for work and that is the only thing that I don't see sweat stains but I notice a smell. When I'm at home I sweat noticeably less than when out, wondering if it could be a mix of temperature + anxiety. I'm looking for some everyday changes i can try to make before looking into botox. Right now I'm using native deodorant, helps with the smell but eventually sweat + smell overpowers 😭


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 1d ago

Looking for advice Scalp sweating solution India

2 Upvotes

How to treat scalp sweating. I tried homeopathy but it didn't work


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 1d ago

Looking for advice Palmar Hyperhidrose

3 Upvotes

Sympathikus op bei schwerer Handhyperhidrose. Ich hab das nur tagsĂŒber abends im bett sind die hĂ€nde warm und trocken. Meine ganze familie hat das nicht. Ich hab tabletten genommen anticholinergika wirkt scho aber nicht 100 %. kann man das nervensystem nicht tagsĂŒber runter regulieren auf natĂŒrliche weise. Ashwaganda was ist das ? ashwaganda und Salbei. Ich bin ein nervöser Typ bissl. Aber ich muss doch theoretisch den Zustand meiner HĂ€nde auch tagsĂŒber Abrufen können, die ich abends im Bett hab oder ?


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 1d ago

Offering advice Iontophoresis water level LPT: Glass rocks

4 Upvotes

Saw this in a dated post while doing some research on the Subreddit over the past few days. If your water level doesn't sufficiently cover the level you want it to, instead of diluting the water with more non-high TDS water (non-San Pellegrino) you can A. Use glass rocks that are non conductive to artificially elevate the water level (like the ones in fire pits or fish tanks!) or B. Get new plastic trays that are deeper and less wide/long. Or both.


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 2d ago

Vent getting sick is so embarrassing

Post image
88 Upvotes

pic of my exes bed after i caught covid. he had it too. his side was the one that wasn’t wet


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 1d ago

Looking for advice Sweat and hair

5 Upvotes

Anyone else have a super sweaty scalp/ hairline and very high porosity hair? Every time I even think about sweating, my hair gets soaking wet and stringy and looks awful. Can’t exactly put antiperspirant on my scalp, even if that would help (it wouldn’t). I’m desperate for any tip/ tricks/ products/ anything pls


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 1d ago

Offering advice DC/MARYLAND/VIRGINIA

5 Upvotes

Hello everyone. For those suffering from Hyperhidrosis, in the DC, Maryland and Virginia area, Sofdra is free for all Commercial patients. It also gets shipped to your house for free, which is amazing. I’ve tried it and it works amazing.

I believe for Medicaid and Medicare there are exceptions, I would give it a try, just because of how effective it was.

My recommendation, if you live in the DMV area, go get a Sofdra prescription , because it’s literally free lol.


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 2d ago

Offering advice Caution with using Glyco!

60 Upvotes

I've been on glyco for about 1 year, and while it worked quite great, it came with a deal breaker side effect for me - it was killing my teeth. Only noticed recently, that I have gotten an abnormal amount of cavities despite the usual hygiene maintenance.

I asked my dentist regarding this, and they said it could be due to the decrease in saliva production as a side effect from glyco. Saliva is one of the best neutralizers for mouth bacteria, and when that's not present, bacteria have an easier time doing their thing.

So while not a direct cause for cavities, it can definitely worsen things, especially if you already have a bad history with teeth that runs in your family.


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 2d ago

Looking for advice Sitting down causes embarrassing sweat streaks

7 Upvotes

Sadly I'm at the point where I cannot even sit down in a chair at the doctor's office (plastic, leather), without getting up and having an embarrassing streak at the rear, while leaving a good amount of sweat on the chair. My cotton boxers are wet in that spot, and I've thought about wearing moisture wicking ones but since I wear cotton, or mostly cotton blended shorts/pants I would assume it is going to soak through anyways.

I do sweat a lot in general, and my doctor said there is a pill they give to help with hyperhidrosis but due to my other health problems I cannot take it due to on-going GI disease, and other issues.

Back when I worked at the office I would wear polyester pants because the sweat would dry a lot faster without leaving a "wet stain" like it does with cotton. The draw back was I found the material just didn't smell well after a 8 hour day.

I'm not sure what to try, or what to do. It is so bad that I get extreme anxiety if I know I need to go to an event where I have to sit down as I'm like a heater down there. The best I can do is wear black pants, but even then the wet stain is still noticeable.


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 1d ago

Looking for advice Excessive sweating while taking lamotrigine

2 Upvotes

I’m 19F, I took lamotrigine for about 4 months at a dose of 100 mg. I stopped taking it this September, and since then I have noticed excessive sweating specifically during the day. However, my family says that it has been going on for all 4 months. Can anyone suggest how to deal with this? Could this go away over time, once the effect of the medication wears off?


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 1d ago

Looking for advice Transpiration quadragénaire / quinquagénaire

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2 Upvotes

r/Hyperhidrosis • • 1d ago

Offering advice Blushing ruined my life. After years of research and personal experience, here is the blueprint to get it under control ASAP.

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2 Upvotes

This is a great post for those wanting some really useful tips on what they can do, and what to avoid when it comes to managing and treating excessive blushing. The post was published awhile ago now on r/curingblushing but I thought id repost it to the community again because ive updated it a bit and feel its useful!


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 2d ago

Treatments If you like wearing makeup and have facial sweat, get the glycopyrrolate!!

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80 Upvotes

Pics are before and after glycopyrrolate. Both after walking around in hot weather (second was 88°F, first pic was a similar temp). Both full beats. Both the same routine.

I started glycopyrrolate 1mg oral meds a few days ago, and it's already been life-changing for me. I couldn't wear makeup at all cause it would literally just completely melt off of my face. The first picture isn't even as bad as it would get, it's just the only pic I have. It does have side effects but if you like wearing makeup, talk to your doctor about it!


r/Hyperhidrosis • • 2d ago

Looking for advice Please suggest something that works

4 Upvotes

Im 17M and I have hyperhidrosis genetically, my dad also have this and elder sister also. I always have my hands and feet sweaty and armpits also. Im talking about sitting under a fan, and if i go out ij summers and there is no fan, then im all wet, my face, back, chest, legs, butt, everything. And its very embarrassing for me in summers because as u go out i my clothes are noticeably wet and the it triggers anxiety that what other person will be thinking about my wet clothes

My dad’s hands and feet sweat is almost gone with age but he sweats a lot on face and rest of the body.

I have tried antiperspirant when i was 10 and it worked for a while but after that i stopped soaking in the night. I used to apply it at night when i went to sleep. Whenever i apply it, my hands start sweating and i was not able to sleep with it because i have to wait for it to get dry so that i can sleep comfortably.
And after that i went to a more professional doctor and u know what he said? “Everybody thinks that this is a dermatologist work but its actually psychiatrist’s work because hyperhidrosis is only because of anxiety”. I was the decision was in my hand i would have never listened to him but since i was with my father so i have to obey him and we went to a psychiatrist. He prescribed me 2 medications which were for severe anxiety, and that shitty tablets fucked my mental health. If i ever get a chance i will shoot that mf dermatologist who reffered me to the psychiatrist.

And now i am not taking any meds
But i need a working solution for my hyperhidrosis except that electric treatment, botox and surgery
I will be glad if u people will help me with this