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
Once used primarily for managing blood sugar, they are now being prescribed off-label for weight loss, catalyzing a seismic shift in how society views health, weight and medical intervention.
—
Stephen Sokoler, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
The actor had been using the drug through his regular doctor in a legal but off-label treatment for depression that has become increasingly common.
Perry, 54, began seeking more ketamine than his doctor would give him.
—Andrew Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025
SSRIs are approved by the FDA to treat a range of conditions such as anxiety, depression, bulimia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and are used off-label to treat several others.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 22 May 2025
The drug is often prescribed for off-label use to treat a range of pain conditions, studies show.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025
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Stephen Sokoler, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
The actor had been using the drug through his regular doctor in a legal but off-label treatment for depression that has become increasingly common.
Perry, 54, began seeking more ketamine than his doctor would give him.
—Andrew Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025
SSRIs are approved by the FDA to treat a range of conditions such as anxiety, depression, bulimia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and are used off-label to treat several others.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 22 May 2025
The drug is often prescribed for off-label use to treat a range of pain conditions, studies show.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for off-label
Cite this Entry
“Off-label.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-label. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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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