aluminum chloride hexahydrate (topical)

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor.

This medicine is for use only on your skin. Avoid getting it in your eyes, mouth, and nose, or on your lips. If it does get into any of these areas, wash with water. Do not use aluminum chloride hexahydrate topical on irritated or broken skin. Do not use the medicine on skin that has recently been shaved. Also avoid using this medication on open wounds.

Do not apply any other deodorants or antiperspirants while you are using aluminum chloride hexahydrate.

This medication can stain certain types of fabric or metals that it comes in contact with. Avoid getting the medicine on surfaces you do not want to stain.

Aluminum chloride hexahydrate is used to treat excessive sweating, also called hyperhidrosis.

Aluminum chloride hexahydrate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether aluminum chloride hexahydrate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Apply this medication only to completely dry skin. You may need to blow-dry the skin with a hair dryer before applying the medicine.

For best results, apply this medication only at bedtime, when you are less likely to sweat. You will need to leave the medicine on your skin for 6 to 8 hours after application.

To use on the underarms: Apply the medication evenly and allow it to dry. Use a hair dryer on a cool setting to dry the skin if needed. Leave a thin film of the medication on the skin. Wear a tee-shirt or short-sleeved nightgown to bed to keep the medicine from rubbing off onto your bed linens.

To use on the hands or feet: Apply the medication evenly and allow it to dry. Use a hair dryer on a cool setting to dry the skin if needed. Leave a thin film of the medication on the skin. Wrap your hands or feet in plastic wrap and cover with cotton gloves or socks. Leave the gloves or socks on while you sleep.

To use on the scalp: Apply the medication evenly and allow it to dry. Use a hair dryer on a cool setting to dry the skin if needed. Leave a thin film of the medication on the skin. Wear a plastic shower cap to bed to keep the medicine from rubbing off onto your bed linens.

The morning after you apply this medicine, remove your clothing or the plastic covering from the treated skin areas. Throw the plastic wrap away and do not reuse it. Rinse out the plastic shower cap with water and allow it to dry completely before using again.

Wash or shampoo the treated skin areas thoroughly, and towel dry.

Repeat the application of aluminum chloride hexahydrate for 2 or 3 more nights in a row, until you get the desired results of reduced sweating. Using the medication one or two times per week thereafter may be enough to keep your condition under control.

Store this medication at room temperature away from heat or open flame. Aluminum chloride hexahydrate contains alcohol and is flammable.

This medicine will evaporate quickly when exposed to air. Keep the bottle tightly closed when you are not using the medicine.

Since aluminum chloride hexahydrate is used as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using the medication regularly and you miss a dose, wait until the following night and use the medicine at bedtime. Aluminum chloride hexahydrate may not be as effective if you use it during the day while you are awake.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of aluminum chloride hexahydrate applied to the skin is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

This medicine is for use only on your skin. Avoid getting it in your eyes, mouth, and nose, or on your lips. If it does get into any of these areas, wash with water. Do not use aluminum chloride hexahydrate topical on irritated or broken skin. Do not use the medicine on skin that has recently been shaved. Also avoid using this medication on open wounds.

Do not apply any other deodorants or antiperspirants while you are using aluminum chloride hexahydrate.

This medication can stain certain types of fabric or metals that it comes in contact with. Avoid getting the medicine on surfaces you do not want to stain.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any stinging, burning, redness, or swelling of treated skin areas.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as tingling or itching of the treated skin.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

There may be other drugs that can affect aluminum chloride hexahydrate. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Your pharmacist has more information about aluminum chloride hexahydrate written for health professionals that you may read.

Aluminum chloride hexahydrate is available with a prescription under the brand names Drysol, Hypercare, and Xerac AC. Other brand or generic forms may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.