Onabotulinumtoxin type A (Botox(®)) versus Incobotulinumtoxin type A (Xeomin(®)) in the treatment of focal idiopathic palmar hyperhidrosis: results of a comparative double-blind clinical trial

Focal hyperhidrosis often has a substantial psychological and social impact on quality of life, since it interferes with daily activities. To date, for the treatment of focal hyperhidrosis, the botulinum toxin type A is an effective second line tool. The purpose of this study was to compare Onabotulinumtoxin A (Botox(®)) and Incobotulinumtoxin A (Xeomin(®)) administration in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis. In a double-blind clinical trial, 25 patients with moderate or severe palmar hyperhidrosis received in the same session intradermal injections of Onabotulinumtoxin A on one hand and Incobotulinumtoxin A on the other. Several measures of efficacy and safety were evaluated: disease severity improvement, sweat reduction, hand-grip strength decrease, pain/discomfort during the treatment, and patient's global satisfaction. All patients were responsive to the treatments (HDSS at T4 vs HDDs at T0; p < 0.0001), and no significant difference between Onabotulinumtoxin A and Incobotulinumtoxin A in terms of anhidrotic effect (Minor's test at T4; p = 0.51), long-term efficacy (Minor's test at T12; p = 0.76), (Minor's test at T24; p = 0.58), subjective pain related to the injections (p = 0.88), muscle strength reduction after treatment (p = 0.56), and global satisfaction with the treatment (p = 0.26). Onabotulinum toxin A and Incobotulinumtoxin A seem to be comparable in terms of anhidrotic effect (short-term results), duration of benefits (long-term efficacy), muscle strength reduction (safety), pain related to injections (tolerability), and treatment satisfaction expressed by patients.