Off-Label Use
Definition
The use of a drug for a purpose, population, or dosage not included in its FDA-approved labeling. Off-label prescribing is legal and common — an estimated 20% of all prescriptions are off-label — but evidence supporting such use varies.
Example
Gabapentin is FDA-approved for seizures but is widely prescribed off-label for neuropathic pain and anxiety.
Related Terms
Mentioned in Guides
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What Is Off-Label Use?Off-label prescribing is common and legal — but it means your drug is being used in a way not specifically …
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Drug Repurposing: Old Drugs, New UsesSome of medicine's biggest breakthroughs came from discovering that existing drugs treat conditions nobody expected. Learn how drug repurposing works …