Diffusion and short-term efficacy of botulinum toxin A after the addition of hyaluronidase and its possible application for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis.
BACKGROUND
Botulinum toxin adequately treats hyperkinetic facial lines and hyperhidrosis. Higher doses of botulinum toxin appear to enhance efficacy and longevity possibly through greater evenness of diffusion; however, recurrent treatments with higher doses are expensive.


OBJECTIVE
To admix botulinum toxin with hyaluronidase and to test whether there is maintenance of efficacy, a spread of effect, and possibly a decrease in required dose compared with botulinum toxin.


METHODS
Six patients participated in a double-blinded side-to-side comparison pilot study with photographic analysis for frontalis overactivity and Minor's iodine and gravimetric testing for axillary hyperhidrosis.


RESULTS
Initial efficacy of botulinum with admixed hyaluronic acid appeared maintained with possibly increased diffusion when hyaluronic acid is added. No difference was evident on short-term review of patients treated with 50 U of botulinum in one axilla compared with the contralateral side injected with 25 U with admixed hyaluronidase.


CONCLUSIONS
There may be a role for hyaluronic acid in aiding diffusion and decreasing the required dose of botulinum toxin in hyperhidrosis axillaris.
Goodman
Greg
G
Skin and Cancer Foundation of Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia. greggoodman@greggoodman.com.au
D001365:Axilla; D001692:Biological Transport; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004058:Diffusion; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005145:Face; D006801:Humans; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004338:Drug Combinations; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A