This week we will be learning about the off-label use of drugs in pediatrics. Off-label drug use is when an FDA approved drug is used for an indication other than what it was approved for. This practice is commonly employed in pediatrics, as pharmaceutical companies often have not spent the money to pay for studies to show their drug is safe and effective in this population. For this week’s you will analyze a situation where an off-label use of a drug is warranted in pediatrics and how you can ensure this is done safely.

Explain the circumstances under which children should be prescribed drugs for off-label use, and describe strategies to make the off-label use and dosage of drugs safer for children from infancy to adolescence. Include descriptions and names of off-label drugs that require extra care and attention when used in pediatrics.