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

Misoprostol is approved by the FDA to treat ulcers, and is also widely used off-label to manage miscarriages, induce labor and end pregnancies. — Kate Wells, NPR, 22 June 2026

Don't Use Ammonia or Mothballs Fyffe recommends never using these substances off-label. — Felicia Feaster, Martha Stewart, 20 June 2026

Early studies estimated that roughly 3% to 5% of participants developed it, according to GoodRx, though newer research puts the rate between 4% and 12% — and possibly higher in people using it off-label. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026

The high cost of the medication is another huge barrier, and insurance won’t cover an off-label prescription for dementia prevention. — Jenna Anderson, Health, 2 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for off-label

• damnable
• disable
• enable
• roundtable
• timetable
• turntable
• unable
• unstable
• able
• chaebol
• fable
• label

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