NURS6521 week 11 Discussion: 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 Bazzano et al. and Mayhew articles in the Learning
Resources. Reflect on situations in which children should be
prescribed drugs for off-label use.
Think about strategies to make the off-label use and dosage
of drugs safer for children from infancy to adolescence. Consider
specific off-label drugs that you think require extra care and
attention when used in pediatrics.
With these thoughts in mind:
By Day 3
Post an explanation of circumstances under which children
should be prescribed drugs for off-label use. Then, describe
strategies to make the off-label use and dosage of drugs safer for
children from infancy to adolescence. Include descriptions and
names of off-label drugs that require extra care and attention when
used in pediatrics.
By Day 6
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses and respond to
at least two of your colleagues on two different days who provided
a different rationale than you did, in one or more of the following
ways:
Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from
the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library.
Validate an idea with your own experience and additional
research.
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