Aluminum chloride is an astringent antiperspirant used topically for the management of uncontrollable, excessive perspiration, as in hyperhidrosis. The prescription products are long-lasting (e.g., for several days) in duration. Non-prescription antiperspirant products are also available for use. Aluminum chloride has been used clinically since pre-1938.
General Administration Information
For storage information, see the specific product information within the How Supplied section.
Route-Specific Administration
Topical Administration
Other Topical Formulations
-Apply to the affected area once a day, only at bedtime.
-Avoid contact with the eyes. To help prevent irritation, the area should be completely dry prior to application. Do not apply to broken, irritated, or recently shaved skin.
-Areas that may be amenable for treatment include the axillae (most common), palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and even the scalp.
-NOT intended to be used as a roll-on. Turn the bottle upside-down and apply a small amount of pressure to release the solution into the provided applicator or onto a cotton ball. Then apply using the applicator or cotton ball on the affected areas.
-Do not apply excessive pressure on the bottle. Excessive pressure will cause the applicator to become dislodged and the solution could spill.
-After application as directed by the product instructions, allow the alcohol to evaporate; a thin layer of antiperspirant will be left on the skin.
-Wear a snug-fitting "T" or body shirt while sleeping to prevent the medication from being rubbed off onto bed linens.
-Wash the treated area the following morning with soap and water.
-Excessive sweating may be stopped after 2 or more treatments with the 20% formulations. Thereafter, apply the 20% formulation once or twice weekly or as needed to maintain the effect.
-Use caution when applying other topical agents to the treated areas; wait at least 1 hour after application of aluminum chloride.
-Use of other deodorants or antiperspirants is not recommended during the use of these products.
-Solution may be flammable; use proper precautions for use.
Adverse effects of topical aluminum chloride application include local skin irritation such as burning, pruritus, or prickly sensation may occur following application. Incident rates for skin irritation are not available in manufacturer labeling; however, the reactions are thought to be infrequent given the widespread use of these products within marketed antiperspirants.
Aluminum chloride use is contraindicated in any patient with a known hypersensitivity to aluminum chloride or any of the product components.
Do not apply aluminum chloride to any skin abrasion, inflamed, broken, wet, or recently shaved skin; excessive irritation may occur. If skin rash, redness, irritation, or swelling occurs, depending on the severity of the symptoms, application frequency should be decreased or use should be discontinued. Avoid ocular exposure to aluminum chloride.
The safety and efficacy of aluminum chloride topical antiperspirants have not been established in neonates, infants and children.
According to the manufacturer, an FDA Pregnancy risk category has not been assigned to aluminum chloride prescription antiperspirant products; non-prescription antiperspirant products do not carry any specific warnings against use in pregnancy. Therefore, before use of aluminum chloride in pregnant women or women of childbearing potential, the potential benefits should be weighed against possible risks to mother and fetus.
It is not known whether aluminum chloride, in prescription strength topical use, is excreted in human milk; minimal systemic absorption is expected following maternal use, and thus, minimal exposure in breast milk would be expected. Non-prescription antiperspirant products do not carry warnings regarding use in lactating women. Consider the benefits of breast-feeding, the risk of potential infant drug exposure, and the risk of an untreated or inadequately treated condition. If a breast-feeding infant experiences an adverse effect related to a maternally ingested drug, healthcare providers are encouraged to report the adverse effect to the FDA.
Although minimal systemic absorption is expected with labeled use of prescription aluminum chloride antiperspirant products, patients with renal failure, for example, have reduced clearance of any absorbed aluminum and thus increased exposure. Patients with significant renal disease should consult a health care professional prior to use of most non-prescription products on the market.
For the prevention and treatment of hyperhidrosis:
Topical dosage:
Adults and Adolescents: Apply sparingly to affected area once daily at bedtime or as directed. If using the 20% formulation, administer once daily at bedtime until sweating is under control (2 or more treatments), then decrease application frequency to 1 to 2 times per week, as needed. Cover treated areas by wearing a snug-fitting "T" or body shirt while sleeping to prevent the medication from being rubbed off onto bed linens.
Maximum Dosage Limits:
-Adults
1 application/day topically to affected area(s).
-Geriatric
1 application/day topically to affected area(s).
-Adolescents
1 application/day topically to affected area(s).
-Children
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
-Infants
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
-Neonates
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Patients with Hepatic Impairment Dosing
Specific guidelines for dosage adjustments in hepatic impairment are not available; it appears that no dosage adjustments are needed.
Patients with Renal Impairment Dosing
Specific guidelines for dosage adjustments in renal impairment are not available; minimal systemic absorption of aluminum is expected. However, use with caution in patients with renal impairment due to possible decreased clearance and increased exposure to any absorbed aluminum.
*non-FDA-approved indication
There are no drug interactions associated with Aluminum Chloride products.
Aluminum chloride acts by reflux entrance into the terminal intraepidermal eccrine and apocrine sweat ducts. Aluminum chloride slowly combines with intraductal keratin, to produce a fibrillar contraction of keratin and, hence, a functional closure of the duct. This closure of the eccrine and apocrine ducts stops the ducts' ability to release sweat. The altered keratin sheds within a week, returning ductal patency and sweating.
Aluminum chloride is applied topically to the skin. Minimal aluminum is expected to be absorbed when applied topically, however any absorbed aluminum is eliminated primarily by the kidneys.
-Route-Specific Pharmacokinetics
Topical Route
Aluminum chloride works locally on outer skin and minimal systemic absorption is expected. Once the product is applied, a reduction in sweating is seen within one to two treatments (24 to 48 hours). The effects of reduced sweating begin to disappear after 48 hours of discontinuing aluminum chloride.
-Special Populations
Renal Impairment
Minimal systemic absorption of aluminum is expected in any patient. However, patients with renal impairment have decreased elimination and increased exposure to any absorbed aluminum; use caution.
Pediatrics
The topical pharmacokinetic parameters of aluminum chloride antiperspirants are expected to be the same in adolescents as compared to adults. No data are available in children aged 12 years and under, and use is not expected in pre-pubescent children.