Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Notifiblog: Peeps Show and Off-Label Pharms (not in the same paragraph!)

First, we have our Peeps Show VII diorama winners!  No promises you will or won't find anything that offends.

Today is the 15th anniversary of the FDA's approval of a little blue pill (spoiler alert:  the topic is very medical; makes some blush)  that was originally approved to study for heart issues.  And the world has been a lot happier ever since then.

Off-label use of an FDA-approved drug is NOT illegal in the US.  In short, this means a pharmaceutical company can market a drug only for whatever purpose the FDA approves it, but a doctor can review other non-marketing material and prescribe the drug to take advantage of any therapeutic side effects.

(straight from Wikipedia) Gabapentin, approved for treatment of seizures and postherpetic neuralgia in adults, has side-effects which are useful in treating bipolar disorder, essential tremor, hot flashes, migraine prophylaxis, neuropathic pain syndromes, phantom limb syndrome, and restless leg syndrome

A more familiar off-label use of a drug may be using aspirin for its antiplatelet effects on blood vessels, thus reducing occurence or severity of stroke and heart attack.
I think it's interesting when they go on a treasure hunt for gold, they find diamonds, too.  In a metaphoric sense.

Bonus:  Another t-shirt J2 needs reads, "When Life Gives You Mold, Make Penicillin"

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