Qbrexza
Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) is an anticholinergic medication used to treat excessive underarm sweating, also known as primary axillary hyperhidrosis, in people 9 years and older. It's available as a cloth that you use once a day to wipe both of your underarms. Common side effects include dry mouth, blurry vision, and constipation. The medication is only available under brand name Qbrexza, as a generic version isn't available.
What is Qbrexza (glycopyrronium)?
What is Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) used for?
- Excessive underarm sweating (primary axillary hyperhidrosis)
How Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) works
Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) is an anticholinergic medication. Anticholinergics work by blocking the activity of acetylcholine, a natural chemical in the body that activates sweat glands. So applying Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) to your underarms prevents acetylcholine from working in that area, which reduces sweating.
Drug facts
Side effects of Qbrexza (glycopyrronium)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Dry mouth (24%)
- Redness in the underarm (17%)
- Burning and stinging in the underarm (14%)
- Itchy skin (8%)
- Widening of the pupils (7%)
- Sore throat (6%)
- Headache (5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Difficulty urinating
- Blurry vision
- Dry nose
- Dry throat
- Dry eye
- Dry skin
- Constipation
More on Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) side effects
The following Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Burning, itching, crusting, or peeling of treated skin
- Fever that does not go away, decreased sweating
- Trouble passing urine
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Blurry vision
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Mild skin irritation, redness, or dryness
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Pros and cons of Qbrexza (glycopyrronium)
Pros
- Is a first-choice option to treat excessive underarm sweating
- Applied to the underarms, directly targeting the sweat glands
- Only need to apply once a day, every 24 hours
Cons
- Can cause problems urinating and blurred vision
- Interacts with other anticholinergic medications
- Risk of accidental exposure to others, especially children, leading to unwanted side effects
Pharmacist tips for Qbrexza (glycopyrronium)
- Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) is only FDA approved to treat excessive underarm sweating. Don’t use this medication on other parts of your body, unless directed by your prescriber.
- Make sure to wipe Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) across clean dry skin. Don’t apply Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) if you have any cuts or tears on your underarms. Doing so can affect how well the drug works for you.
- Wash your hands after using Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) to prevent your body from absorbing any extra medication. If you don't wash your hands and accidentally touch your eyes, you could experience blurry vision.
- Throw away the used Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) wipe in the trash out of reach of others, especially children. There have been reports of children experiencing blurry vision and other eye problems after touching their eyes following contact with the used wipe.
- Don’t drive or participate in activities requiring you to be alert if you have blurry vision while taking Qbrexza (glycopyrronium). You should stop taking this medication and contact a prescriber as soon as you notice these symptoms.
- Dry mouth is a common side effect with Qbrexza (glycopyrronium). If this becomes bothersome, you can try remedies at home like chewing sugar-free gum, sipping cold water throughout the day, and using over-the-counter saliva substitutes to help.
- Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) is an anticholinergic medication, and taking it with other anticholinergic medications can raise your risk for specific side effects like dry mouth, blurry vision, and constipation. When starting a new medication, check with a prescriber or pharmacist to make sure it doesn’t interact with Qbrexza (glycopyrronium).
- Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) is a flammable medication, meaning it can easily catch on fire. Store it at room temperature in a cool, dry area, away from heat and flame.
Common questions about Qbrexza (glycopyrronium)
Since Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) is applied to the skin of your underarm, only a small amount of the medication is absorbed into your body. The half-life, which measures how long it takes for your body to remove the medication from your system, is unknown for the wipes because so little enters the bloodstream. If you have questions about how long this medication stays in your system, speak with your prescriber.
Anticholinergic medications, like Qbrexza (glycopyrronium), often have similar side effects. These include dry mouth, blurry vision, constipation, problems urinating, and dry eye. In clinical studies, these side effects typically went away within 3 to 14 days, either on their own or with a dose adjustment. Let your prescriber know if any of these side effects become bothersome.
Yes. Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) can be used at any time of the day. What's most important is that you use the medication at the same time each day, once every 24 hours. So choose the time of day that works best for you.
Yes. You can continue using an antiperspirant or deodorant under your arms along with Qbrexza (glycopyrronium).
Currently, Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) is only FDA-approved for treating excessive sweating in the underarms. But, sometimes healthcare professionals will prescribe it off-label for excessive sweating in other areas of the body. Some studies have explored using Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) on such areas as the face and hands. If you have questions about using this medication elsewhere, talk to your prescriber.
Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) works fairly quickly because it's applied directly to your underarms, targeting the sweat glands in that area. In studies, some people noticed benefits within the first week, and most people can see results by the second week of treatment.
Studies have shown that when used daily, Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) continues to reduce excessive underarm sweating for at least 48 weeks. But since the study only lasted 48 weeks, you might be able to continue treatment beyond that. Talk to your prescriber about how long you can safely use this medication.
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Risks and warnings for Qbrexza (glycopyrronium)
Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
New or worsening urinary problems
- Risk factors: Enlarged Prostate | Blockage in the bladder
As with other anticholinergic medications, Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) can cause difficulty urinating. If you’ve had trouble emptying your bladder in the past, this medication can worsen your condition. Stop this medication right away if you have any difficulty passing urine, and contact your prescriber when you first notice these symptoms.
Heat strokes and high body temperatures
- Risk factors: Taking another anticholinergic medication | Exposed to hot or warm environments
People taking Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) are at a higher risk for heat strokes and high body temperatures when exposed to hot environments. Normally, sweating helps cool your body down in high temperatures, but Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) reduces sweating, raising the risk of overheating and heat stroke. If you notice you're sweating less, have red hot skin, fever, dizziness, or difficulty breathing, stop using the medication and contact your prescriber right away.
Blurry vision
- Risk factors: Taking another anticholinergic medication
You might temporarily have trouble seeing while taking Qbrexza (glycopyrronium), but it usually doesn't last long. If this happens, avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing anything that requires clear vision. Stop taking the medication until your vision improves, and contact your prescriber as soon as you notice blurry vision.
Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) dosage
Box| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8g of 2.4% | 1 box | $591.78 | $591.78 |
Typical dosage for Qbrexza (glycopyrronium)
Wipe one cloth across one entire underarm once. Then, use the same cloth to wipe the other underarm once. Repeat these steps once a day, every 24 hours.
How much does Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) cost?
$591.78
Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) will not be safe for you to take.
- Glaucoma
- Stomach or intestinal blockage
- Unstable heart health during severe bleeding
- Severe ulcerative colitis
- Myasthenia gravis
- Sjogren’s syndrome
