off-label
adjective
off-la·bel
ˈȯf-ˌlā-bəl 
: of, relating to, or being a drug used to treat a condition for which it has not been officially approved
Examples of off-label in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But it is also often used off-label for breast cancer prevention.
—
Laura Hensley, Verywell Health, 29 Nov. 2023
The medication — taken by injection in the thigh, stomach or arm — is FDA-approved to treat Type 2 diabetes, but many have used it off-label for weight loss.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 28 Nov. 2023
Ten years ago, after a clinical trial showed convincingly that the drug could prevent breast cancer, U.S. oncologists began prescribing it off-label.
—Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 13 Nov. 2023
The Hims website, for example, promotes off-label use of the antidepressant Zoloft (sertraline) for premature ejaculation.
—Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 2 Nov. 2023
Here are the risks associated with compound drugs like ketamine, why some healthcare providers may prescribe ketamine off-label, and how experts predict the drug will impact future mental health care.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 21 Oct. 2023
Doctors can still prescribe it for weight loss as an off-label medication.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 25 Sep. 2023
They have long been used in patients with diabetes, but their long-term effects aren’t well established in patients with obesity or those who use them off-label for weight loss.
—Madison Muller, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2023
While these are not specifically approved for use in the jawline, many injectors do use them off-label to sculpt this area.
—Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 18 Sep. 2023
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Laura Hensley, Verywell Health, 29 Nov. 2023
The medication — taken by injection in the thigh, stomach or arm — is FDA-approved to treat Type 2 diabetes, but many have used it off-label for weight loss.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 28 Nov. 2023
Ten years ago, after a clinical trial showed convincingly that the drug could prevent breast cancer, U.S. oncologists began prescribing it off-label.
—Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 13 Nov. 2023
The Hims website, for example, promotes off-label use of the antidepressant Zoloft (sertraline) for premature ejaculation.
—Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 2 Nov. 2023
Here are the risks associated with compound drugs like ketamine, why some healthcare providers may prescribe ketamine off-label, and how experts predict the drug will impact future mental health care.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 21 Oct. 2023
Doctors can still prescribe it for weight loss as an off-label medication.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 25 Sep. 2023
They have long been used in patients with diabetes, but their long-term effects aren’t well established in patients with obesity or those who use them off-label for weight loss.
—Madison Muller, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2023
While these are not specifically approved for use in the jawline, many injectors do use them off-label to sculpt this area.
—Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 18 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'off-label.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1987, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near off-label
Cite this Entry
“Off-label.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-label. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
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Medical Definition
off-label
adjective
off-la·bel
ˌȯf-ˌlā-bəl
: of, relating to, or being an approved drug legally prescribed or a medical device legally used by a physician for a purpose (as the treatment of children or of a certain disease or condition) for which it has not been specifically approved (as by the United States Food and Drug Administration)
the off-label use of oral contraceptives to treat dysmenorrhea
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