Posted by jane d on April 13, 2002, at 18:35:37
In reply to Re: I need help..fast, effexor and zyprexa, posted by katekite on April 13, 2002, at 16:17:37
> Then ask them what drugs are used on-label to treat those conditions. (All drugs have occasionally been used to treat all conditions but that's not the point, the point is what is usually used and approved to treat what she has.).
Off label use is actually extremely common and is not necessarily experimental. The FDA approves a drug to treat something specific. That means the company can put that usage "on the label" and promote it's use for that purpose. But drugs are often tested, and found to work, for many other "off label" things. The company is not required to go back and ask the FDA to approve a new use so they usually don't. Doctors can prescribe the drugs for any of those other uses and often do. I'm sure there are examples where the off label drug is known to be the better treatment.I'm sure if you look in the archives you can find this process explained in more detail.
Jane
poster:jane d
thread:102912
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020408/msgs/102980.html