HHS HealthBeat (June 02, 2009)

Going off-label

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Everybody tells the patient to read and follow label directions. But sometimes the doctors themselves don’t. They prescribe a drug in ways – or for conditions – that the label doesn’t talk about.

That actually can be good for you. It’s called an off-label use, and the doctor may be acting based on the latest research. But as with all medicine, there are risks involved.

At HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality – AHRQ – Director Dr. Carolyn Clancy says it’s worth asking your doctor if this is the primary use of the medication:

[Dr. Carolyn Clancy speaks] "If it turns out that your doctor has given you an off-label drug, you should ask your doctor if the off-label drug is likely to work better than an approved treatment."

Dr. Clancy says the point is to know the risks and the benefits.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: June, 01 2009