Off-label medication use.
Prescribing medications for off-label uses is not illegal. Off-label prescribing includes using medications for unapproved indications; using a drug outside of the recommended dosage range or duration of use; using a drug in certain unapproved patient populations, such as those defined by age, sex, or particular clinical parameters; or intentionally using a medication in a patient who has a known contraindication. Medications would be considered appropriate for off-label use based on their known clinical pharmacology, evidence from clinical studies, and sometimes from the personal experience of the prescriber. The decision to use a drug off label should be based on a careful assessment of the patient's treatment history and the drug's potential risks and benefits. Patients should be given adequate informed consent about how the drug is being used off label and why, along with appropriate information about known risks and side effects.
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. HowlandRH@upmc.edu
Robert H
RH
Howland
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing; D002648:Child; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D017277:Drug Approval / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005632:Fructose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D056687:Off-Label Use / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000451:nursing*; D033282:Parental Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010645:Phentermine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000451:nursing; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004338:Drug Combinations; C576188:Qsymia; D005632:Fructose; D010645:Phentermine