title: Antidepressant-induced excessive sweating: clinical features and treatment with terazosin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Antidepressant-induced excessive sweating (ADIES) occurs in 5% to 14% of patients taking antidepressants, usually persists throughout treatment, and causes subjective distress and functional impairment. We conducted the first clinical trial of any treatment for ADIES.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical features of ADIES were assessed using a semi-structured form. Twenty-three patients with moderate or greater ADIES were assessed for a 2-week baseline period , followed by 6 weeks of open-label treatment with flexible dose terazosin, 1 to 6 mg/d. Improvement in ADIES was measured by the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) scale and other measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ADIES commonly was prominent in the scalp (62%), face (95%), neck (48%), and chest (57%); usually occurred either episodically or with episodic bursts (82%); and was persistent (median 63 months). Twenty-two of the 23 patients responded to terazosin (CGI-I scores 1 or 2), with CGI-Severity improving from median of 5 to median of 2 (P < .0001). Patient-rated daytime and nighttime severity of ADIES and proportion of time in ADIES also improved significantly. The most common adverse effects of terazosin therapy were dizziness/lightheadedness (n = 9) and dry mouth (n = 4). No patient dropped out because of adverse effects. Sitting and standing systolic blood pressure decreased by median values of 3 (P = .044) and 5 (P = .063) mm Hg, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Terazosin may be an effective treatment for ADIES. Although dizziness/lightheadedness may occur in some patients, the treatment generally was well tolerated.
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Jefferson Medical College, 833 S. Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. rajnish.mago@jefferson.edu
authors: Rajnish
authors: R
authors: Mago
authors: Michael E
authors: ME
authors: Thase
authors: Barry W
authors: BW
authors: Rovner
mesh_terms: D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011224:Prazosin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; C041226:Terazosin; D011224:Prazosin