Anticholinergic Drugs

Anticholinergic drugs block and inhibit nerves from functioning. They are used for a variety of disorders, one of which is plantar hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating of the feet). 

Anticholinergic drugs work by blocking the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain, halting certain involuntary muscles from moving. They also help with balancing the production of your body’s dopamine and acetylcholine levels. 

Some examples of anticholinergic drugs include Trihexyphenidyl (Artane), Benztropine mesylate (Cogentin), Atropine, and Hyoscyamine (Levsinex), as well as Oxybutynin (Ditropan, Ocytrol), Glycopyrrolate (Robinul) and Propantheline (Pro-banthine), which are the most common treatments for hyperhidrosis. (Oxybutynin has about a 50% success rate for palmar/plantar hyperhidrosis). 

Some of the side effects associated with these medications include dry mouth, dry eyes, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention, cognitive problems, heart rhythm disturbance and dizziness due to a drop in blood pressure while standing up (postural hypotension). These side effects are fairly common and therefore prompt any people to stop using the drugs.