Off-Label Drug Use in Pediatrics The unapproved use of approved drugs, also called off-label use, with children is quite common. This is because pediatric dosage guidelines are typically
unavailable since very few drugs have been specifically researched and tested with children. When treating children, prescribers often adjust dosages approved for adults to accommodate a
child’s weight. However, children are not just “smaller” adults. Adults and children process and respond to drugs differently in their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Children
even respond differently during stages from infancy to adolescence. This poses potential safety concerns when prescribing drugs to pediatric patients. As an advanced practice nurse, you have to
be aware of safety implications of the off-label use of drugs with this patient group. To prepare: Review the Panther et al (2017) and Corney, Lebel, Bailey, and Bussieres (2015) articles in the
Learning Resources. Reflect on situations in which children should be prescribed drugs for off-label use. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4557722/