Qbrexza cloth to treat primary axillary hyperhidrosis

The exact cause is unknown, but it affects nearly 10 million people in the United States, with both men and women having similar prevalence. Qbrexza (pronounced kew brex’ zah) is applied directly to the skin and is designed to block sweat production by inhibiting sweat gland activation.

“For years, dermatologists have been telling us of the need for new treatment options that address primary axillary hyperhidrosis given the stigma and burden associated with this condition,” said Tom Wiggans, chairman and chief executive officer at Dermira.

“From the start, our goal was to develop an approach that went beyond masking a person’s excessive underarm sweating and instead focused on treating the condition in a clinically meaningful way."

"We partnered with dermatologists and the FDA during the development stage and listened to the people who have been living with this condition to understand how they would define a meaningful benefit. It is our hope that Qbrexza will not only provide the clinical benefit these sufferers have been seeking, but help to reduce the overall burden on their lives.”

The approval is based on results from two Phase 3 clinical trials, ATMOS-1 and ATMOS-2, which evaluated the efficacy and safety of Qbrexza in patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis.

Both trials assessed the absolute change from baseline in sweat production (the weight or amount of sweat a patient produced) following treatment with Qbrexza and the proportion of patients who achieved at least a four-point improvement from baseline in their sweating severity, as measured by the Axillary Sweating Daily Diary (ASDD), Dermira’s proprietary patient-reported outcome (PRO) instrument. The PRO was developed in consultation with the FDA and in accordance with the agency’s 2009 guidance on PRO instruments.

“Primary axillary hyperhidrosis is a condition that has negatively impacted many of my patients for most of their lives,” said Dee Anna Glaser, M.D., professor and interim chair, Department of Dermatology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and a renowned hyperhidrosis expert.

“I look forward to Qbrexza’s potential to be a meaningful treatment option that will not only reduce a person’s sweat, but will reduce the overall impact this condition has on their daily life.”

The most common side effects observed following topical application of Qbrexza to the underarms were dry mouth, dilated pupil (mydriasis), sore throat (oropharyngeal pain), headache, urinary hesitation, blurred vision, dry nose, dry throat, dry eye, dry skin and constipation. The most common local skin reactions were erythema, burning/stinging and pruritus.

Qbrexza is expected to be available nationwide in pharmacies beginning in October 2018.