Off-label drug use can be risky but sometimes beneficial when standard treatments fail.
September 2022 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Dermatologists should monitor potassium levels in women taking spironolactone for acne, hair loss, and hirsutism.
19 citations
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April 2019 in “Veterinary dermatology” Oclacitinib effectively treated a skin condition in dogs that didn't respond to other immunosuppressants.
January 2018 in “Practical diabetes” Leflunomide is effective for rheumatoid arthritis but has significant side effects.
119 citations
,
June 2005 in “Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology” Potassium channel openers are effective in treating heart conditions, high blood pressure, pulmonary diseases, bladder issues, and hair loss, but more selective drugs are needed.
9 citations
,
November 2012 in “Biomolecules & therapeutics” A compound from brown algae boosts the production of a certain inflammatory substance in skin cells.
38 citations
,
January 2009 in “Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery” A woman developed hair loss after starting a treatment with adalimumab, suggesting this medication might cause hair loss.
January 2017 in “Más dermatología” Topical finasteride may help treat hair loss in men and women.
January 2019 in “Egyptian Journal of Dermatology and Venereology /Egyptian Journal of Dermatology and Venerology” Mixing calcipotriol with a steroid is almost as effective as using a steroid alone for alopecia areata and has fewer side effects.
2 citations
,
September 2014 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Sodium valproate can worsen psoriasis-like skin conditions.
2 citations
,
November 2025 in “Pharmacology Research & Perspectives” Avacopan may cause unexpected side effects, so early monitoring is important.
July 2025 in “Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association” Combining TCA with 5-FU is more effective and safer for treating keloids than TCA alone.
February 1968 in “PubMed”
5 citations
,
January 2021 in “Inflammatory Bowel Diseases” Tofacitinib improved ulcerative colitis, skin ulcers, and hair loss in a patient who didn't respond well to other treatments.
33 citations
,
May 2001 in “Annals of pharmacotherapy/The annals of pharmacotherapy” Topical tacrolimus is safe and effective for skin conditions, but oral tacrolimus has serious side effects.
November 2001 in “The Journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences/The journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences” Divalproex sodium can unexpectedly cause agitation and hyperactivity in some patients.
January 2018 in “Springer eBooks” PDE inhibitors, especially PDE4 inhibitors like apremilast, are effective for certain inflammatory skin conditions but have side effects and can be costly.
April 2020 in “The FASEB journal” Poncirin is a promising inhibitor of Janus Kinase 3, potentially better than tofacitinib.
January 2021 in “International Journal of Advanced Research in Medicine” Propranolol, flunarizine, and divalproex sodium are equally effective for preventing migraines, but have different side effects.
September 2015 in “Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy”
84 citations
,
March 2004 in “Veterinary Dermatology” Cyclosporin is effective in treating dog skin diseases and has fewer side effects compared to other treatments.
202 citations
,
June 2005 in “Aaps Pharmscitech” Lecithin organogels could be good for applying drugs to the skin because they are stable, safe, and can improve drug absorption.
165 citations
,
January 2014 in “Dermatology Research and Practice” Zinc is effective for treating various skin conditions, including warts and acne.
165 citations
,
September 2003 in “Toxicology and applied pharmacology” Blocking COX, especially COX-2, in the skin can reduce inflammation and pain and may help prevent skin cancer.
151 citations
,
November 2018 in “International Journal of Pharmaceutics” Nanoparticles improve drug delivery through the skin but more research is needed on their long-term effects and skin penetration challenges.
151 citations
,
July 2011 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” Liposomal systems show promise for delivering drugs through the skin but face challenges like high costs and stability issues.
145 citations
,
November 2017 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Use minoxidil for hair loss treatment; assess results after 6 months.
130 citations
,
August 2020 in “Drug Design Development and Therapy” Nanoparticles can improve skin drug delivery but have challenges like toxicity and stability that need more research.
84 citations
,
July 2008 in “Aaps Pharmscitech” Ethosomes improve finasteride delivery through skin for hair loss treatment.