Someday your patient might ask you why I am given azathioprine for my dermatitis, while it is approved by FDA as an immunosuppressive drug used in preventing rejection in organ transplant! It is really a challenge how to educate patient about the off-label drug use (OLDU) and also a challenge for a physician to decide and opt for an off-label drug in his prescription. There is and ambiguity and underappreciation of its definition, prevalence, and implications. The attached video talks about the meaning, breadth of application, acceptance, and liabilities of OLDU.
The term off-label drug use (OLDU) is used extensively in the medical literature, continuing medical education exercises, and the media. Off-label drug use involves prescribing medications for indications, or using a dosage or dosage form, that have not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Since the Food and…
