The $30 million off-label prescription

Spironolactone, a blood pressure medication,has been prescribed off-label to treat hormonal acne for decades, but a growing number of women are taking to social media to express their amazement at its effects.

According to consultant dermatologist Dr Magnus Lynch, it is a very effective and safe drug , with most patients getting on quite well with it.

However, health service guidelines state that spironolactone is suitable for women over 18 with moderate to severe acne that has failed to respond to both topical treatments and antibiotics.

What's the science behind spironolactone's acne-fighting properties?

Researchers have discovered that spironolactone blocks the effect of male sex hormones such as testosterone, which can cause sebaceous glands in the skin to produce more sebum than the skin needs, causing oiliness and blocked pores.

By stopping the effect of testosterone, spironolactone was reducing acne and thickening the hair of female users, making it a popular off-label prescription for hormonal acne.

However,the drug is not suitable for men as it can cause side effects such as breast growth and erectile dysfunction.

Is sprionolactone a miracle cure or just social media hype?

A growing number of women have taken to social media in recent months to express their amazement at the effects of spironolactone,with some caliming it has also helped them lose weight and grow their breasts.

However, experts say that while spironolactone has been prescribed off-label to treat hormonal acne for decades now, they're now seeing more and more women coming in requesting it explicitly.

According to consultant dermatologist Dr Aleksander Godic, the most common side effects are irregular periods, occasional dizziness from the blood pressure-lowering effect, and more frequent urination.

Who is the unnamed buyer of spironolactone's acne-fighting properties?

While spironolactone has been hailed as a miracle cure for acne, the truth behind the claims and its safety for use remains unclear.

According to the report, a growing number of women have taken to social media in recent months to express their amazement at the effects of spironolactone, with some claiming it has also helped them lose weight and grow their breasts.

However,experts say that while spironolactone has been prescribed off-label to treat hormonal acne for decades now, they're now seeing more and more women coming in requesting it explicitly.