Non-FDA Uses of Medication

When the FDA approves a medication to be put on the market, the medicine is only validated for specific uses and dosages. However, sometimes prescription drugs have side-effects that end up alleviating symptoms of other disorders. While non-FDA approved uses of medicines can be helpful for some people, it can also be dangerous to use a medication that was not made for the alternative purpose.

Pharmaceutical companies put a huge amount of time and money into getting medicines approved. Thus, they often do not take the time to get all of the minor, “off-label” benefits approved by the FDA. While physicians are allowed to use their knowledge and skill in prescribing medication, including the “off-label” uses, they may not always know how the medication will react with each individual.

The Danger of Off-Label Uses

Although most doctors are able to safely predict how a medicine will work with someone’s disease even though it is an off-label use, there are cases when this guess-and-check work can be hazardous. If someone has an underlying condition or has been incorrectly diagnosed, the non-FDA approved prescription of the medication can be dangerous.

Examples of Non-FDA Alternatives

Some medications are recognized as having non-approved uses. Examples of these include:

• Humira (adalimumab) – approved for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, but also used for Crohn’s disease
• Risperdal (risperidone) – approved for schizophrenia and bipolar mania, but also prescribed for stuttering and Tourette’s
• Pamelor, Aventyl (nortriptyline) – approved for depression, but also utilized for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Contact Us

When a doctor prescribes a medication for an off-label use, it can actually cause more harm than good. If you or someone you know has suffered a health problem from taking a non-FDA approved medication for your health condition, you may be entitled to financial compensation.

For more information regarding medical malpractice and other forms of personal injury law, contact a trusted Wisconsin medical malpractice attorney from Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. ® today by calling 800-242-2874.