What Is Drysol? How Does Treat Excessive Sweating?

1. What is hyperhidrosis?
2. What is Drysol?
3. How does Drysol work?
4. Potential side effects of Drysol
5. Alternative hyperhidrosis treatments

If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

When your body senses a rise in temperature, it turns on your sweat glands—whether you want it to or not! Several things can lead to sweating, including warm temperatures, exercise, or feelings of anger, embarrassment, nervousness, or fear. Sweating is a necessary and natural response to an increase in body temperature to help you cool off. However, if you sweat excessively, you may have a medical condition known as hyperhidrosis.

People with hyperhidrosis often sweat more than usual, even without the typical triggers. If you think you may have hyperhidrosis, you are not alone—almost 5% of Americans (15.3 million people) have hyperhidrosis (Doolittle, 2016). This number is likely lower than the actual amount of people with hyperhidrosis because many never mention it to their healthcare provider. Most people don’t realize that their excessive sweating is a medical problem.

Hyperhidrosis is divided into two types: primary focal hyperhidrosis and secondary generalized hyperhidrosis.

If the excessive sweating itself is the medical condition, then you have primary hyperhidrosis. In other words, your hyperhidrosis is not caused by any medications you may be taking or by another medical condition. Primary focal hyperhidrosis most commonly affects the hands, feet, underarms, and/or face/head. These areas are usually affected equally on both sides of the body.

Most people with primary hyperhidrosis report that their symptoms began in childhood or during their teenage years. In addition, the sweating episodes usually happen at least once a week, but rarely during sleep. Genetics seems to play a role as most people with primary hyperhidrosis also have a family member with excessive sweating.

Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis, on the other hand, is sweating is caused by another medical condition (like hyperthyroidism or menopause) or medication side effects. People with secondary generalized hyperhidrosis may complain of sweating “all over” as this condition often affects larger areas of the body. Unlike primary focal hyperhidrosis, secondary generalized hyperhidrosis usually starts in adulthood, and sweating can happen while asleep (night sweats).

Drysol is a prescription topical antiperspirant often used to treat hyperhidrosis. The active ingredient in Drysol is the metallic salt, aluminum chloride hexahydrate. Over-the-counter antiperspirants can also contain metallic salts, but the main difference between Drysol and over-the-counter antiperspirants is the type and concentration of metallic salts. The maximum concentration of aluminum chloride hexahydrate allowed by the FDA in over-the-counter antiperspirants is 15%. On the other hand, Drysol can go as high as 20% (FDA, 2019). Other metallic salts, like aluminum chlorohydrate and aluminum zirconium salts, can also be used in over-the-counter antiperspirants in varying concentrations.

Drysol’s effectiveness comes from the aluminum chloride salt, aluminum chloride hexahydrate. When you sweat, your sweat glands pump sweat onto your skin’s surface. After applying Drysol to your skin, the metallic salts mix with your sweat and then get pulled into the sweat duct. Once there, a chemical reaction occurs, and the salt-sweat mixture blocks the sweat gland, reducing perspiration.

Hyperhidrosis

Last updated: Feb 27, 2020

7 min read

Like any medication, there can be side effects with Drysol. Since this is a topical medication, the side effects are usually limited to the sites of application and then resolve after stopping it. Side effects include (Woolery-Lloyd, 2009):

• Skin irritation
• Stinging at the site of application
• Itching at the site of application
• Burning or prickling sensation at the site of application
• Darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation)

While prescription antiperspirants like Drysol are some of the first treatments recommended for hyperhidrosis, other options exist, including:

• Over-the-counter antiperspirants: These are often less effective than the prescription antiperspirants for people with excessive sweating but are certainly an option to try.
• Iontophoresis: Immersing your hands or feet in tap water while a medical device sends a low-voltage electric current through the water to shut down the sweat glands.
• Anticholinergic medications: These oral medications prevent acetylcholine (a brain chemical or neurotransmitter) from turning on your sweat glands.
• Botulinum toxin (brand name Botox): These are injections that temporarily block acetylcholine release to prevent the stimulation of sweat glands in affected areas.
• Surgery: Some people have surgery to remove the sweat glands or cut the sympathetic nerves that stimulate you to sweat in a particular area (sympathectomy).

If you have hyperhidrosis, Drysol may be a treatment option for you. Talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms and what remedies you have already tried. Hyperhidrosis can be embarrassing for some, but it is treatable

1. Doolittle, J., Walker, P., Mills, T., & Thurston, J. (2016). Hyperhidrosis: an update on prevalence and severity in the United States. Archives of Dermatological Research, 308(10), 743–749. doi: 10.1007/s00403-016-1697-9 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5099353/
2. U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Code of Federal Regulations Title 21. (2019). Retrieved 9 June 2020, from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=350&showFR=1 https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=350&showFR=1
3. Woolery-Lloyd, H. , & Valins, W. (2009). Aluminum chloride hexahydrate in a salicylic Acid gel: a novel topical agent for hyperhidrosis with decreased irritation. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 2(6), 28–31. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20729946/

Dr. Mike is a licensed physician and the Director, Medical Content & Education at Ro.

Drysol topical Uses, Side Effects & Warnings

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Generic name: aluminum chloride hexahydrate (topical) [ al-LOO-min-um-KLOR-ide-HEX-a-HYE-drayt-TOP-ik-al ]
Brand names: Drysol, Hypercare, Xerac AC
Drug class: Miscellaneous topical agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Oct 13, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is Drysol?

Drysol is an antiperspirant that works by affecting the cells that produce sweat.

Drysol (for the skin) is used to treat excessive sweating, also called hyperhidrosis.

Drysol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Drysol if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How should I use Drysol?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Do not take by mouth. Topical medicine is for use only on the skin. Do not use on broken skin, or skin that has recently been shaved.

For best results, apply the medicine at bedtime and leave the medicine on your skin for 6 to 8 hours.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Wash and completely dry the skin before applying Drysol. If needed, dry the skin with a hair dryer on the warm setting.

Use the applicator provided with your medicine, or use a cotton ball to apply the medicine.

After use on the underarms: Wear a tee-shirt to keep the medicine from rubbing off onto your bed linens.

After use on the hands or feet: Wrap your hands or feet in plastic wrap and cover them with cotton gloves or socks. Leave the gloves or socks on while you sleep.

After use on the scalp: Wear a plastic shower cap to bed to keep the medicine from rubbing off onto your bed linens.

In the morning, remove the covering from treated skin areas and wash or shampoo the skin thoroughly, then towel dry. Do not reuse plastic wrap for additional applications. You may rinse and reuse the plastic shower cap.

Store the bottle tightly closed at room temperature, away from heat or open flame. This medicine contains alcohol and is flammable. The medicine will evaporate quickly when exposed to air.

Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of Drysol is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.

What should I avoid while using aluminum chloride hexahydrate?

Do not apply any other deodorants or antiperspirants while you are using Drysol.

Avoid getting Drysol in your eyes, mouth, and nose, or on your lips. If contact does occur, rinse with water.

This medicine can stain certain types of fabric or metals that it comes in contact with.

Drysol side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; dizziness; chest tightness, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Drysol may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

Common side effects of Drysol may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Drysol?

Medicine used on the skin is not likely to be affected by other drugs you use. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

More about Drysol (aluminum chloride hexahydrate topical)

• Compare alternatives
• Reviews (314)
• Side effects
• Drug class: miscellaneous topical agents
• En español

Patient resources

• Patient Information

Other brands

Hypercare, Xerac AC

Professional resources

• Prescribing Information

Related treatment guides

• Hyperhidrosis

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.