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 interactive media piece in this week’s Resources and reflect on the types of drugs used to treat pediatric patients with mood disorders.
• 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.

BY DAY 5 OF WEEK 11:

Write a 1-page narrative in APA format that addresses the following:

• Explain the circumstances under which children should be prescribed drugs for off-label use. Be specific and provide examples.
• 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.

SOLUTION:

Off-Label Drug Use in Pediatrics

There are several conditions under which Children should be prescribed drugs for off-label use. Examples of such circumstances include a situation where no drugs the FDA has approved to treat a particular condition. Secondly, if a drug may have been approved to be effective in treating and containing a specific situation that is not among the listed uses on the drug’s label, then children can be prescribed such a drug. Finally, if the drug has been proven effective in treating a child’s condition, then children will be prescribed the medication for off-label use(Stanley et al, 2019). Enalapril is an excellent example of such a drug. The known medical use of this drug is to treat hypertension and heart failure in adults. However, the drug has been proven to be safe and effective in treating heart failure in children; hence children can be prescribed to use the drug for heart failure. Additionally, drugs such as dexamethasone, satisfied for treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults, can be used to treat the same condition in children………………..KINDLY CLICK ON THE PURCHASE ICON BELOW TO ACCESS THE ENTIRE SOLUTION FOR $10