Off-label medicines

Information for the public

Some medicines for problems such as muscle stiffness or cramps, thin, watery saliva, and breathlessness may be recommended for 'off-label' use in this guideline. In the UK, medicines are licensed to show that they work well enough and are safe enough to be used for specific conditions and groups of people. Some medicines can also be helpful for conditions or people they are not specifically for. This is called 'off‑label' use. Off‑label use might also mean the medicine is taken at a different dose or in a different way to the licence, such as using a cream or taking a tablet. Your doctor should tell you this and explain what it means for you. There is more information about licensing medicines on NHS Choices.