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Introduction
1. Medications
1.1 Generic names and brand names
1.2 Classification of medications
1.3 Drug interactions and contraindications
1.4 Medications by organ system
1.5 Drug strengths, dose, and dosage forms
1.6 Routes of administration and special handling of drugs
1.7 Medication side effects, adverse effects and allergies
1.8 Indications of medications and dietary supplements
1.9 Drug stability
1.10 Narrow therapeutic index (NTI) medications
1.11 Pharmaceutical incompatibilities
1.12 Proper storage of medications
1.13 Vaccine types and schedules
2. Patient safety and quality assurance
3. Order entry and processing
4. Federal requirements
Wrapping up
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1.8 Indications of medications and dietary supplements
Achievable PTCE
1. Medications
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Indications of medications and dietary supplements

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An indication is the medical condition a medicine is used for. This can include using a drug to treat, prevent, or diagnose a disease.

For example, diabetes mellitus is an indication for insulin.

A single drug can have more than one indication. For instance, methotrexate is indicated for treating certain cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.

At least one indication is listed on each medication’s drug label. These are called on-label indications. Many medications are also used for conditions that aren’t listed on the label. These are called off-label indications.

  • On-label indications are approved by the FDA.
  • Off-label indications are not FDA-approved.

Drug manufacturers aren’t allowed to market their products for indications the FDA hasn’t approved.

For example, the antidepressant amitriptyline is used off-label to treat fibromyalgia.

Indications

  • Medical conditions a drug is used for
  • Includes treatment, prevention, or diagnosis
  • Example: insulin indicated for diabetes mellitus

Multiple indications

  • One drug can have several indications
  • Example: methotrexate for cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus

On-label vs. off-label indications

  • On-label: FDA-approved, listed on drug label
  • Off-label: not FDA-approved, not listed on label
    • Example: amitriptyline off-label for fibromyalgia

Drug marketing regulations

  • Manufacturers cannot market drugs for non-FDA-approved (off-label) indications

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Indications of medications and dietary supplements

An indication is the medical condition a medicine is used for. This can include using a drug to treat, prevent, or diagnose a disease.

For example, diabetes mellitus is an indication for insulin.

A single drug can have more than one indication. For instance, methotrexate is indicated for treating certain cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.

At least one indication is listed on each medication’s drug label. These are called on-label indications. Many medications are also used for conditions that aren’t listed on the label. These are called off-label indications.

  • On-label indications are approved by the FDA.
  • Off-label indications are not FDA-approved.

Drug manufacturers aren’t allowed to market their products for indications the FDA hasn’t approved.

For example, the antidepressant amitriptyline is used off-label to treat fibromyalgia.

Key points

Indications

  • Medical conditions a drug is used for
  • Includes treatment, prevention, or diagnosis
  • Example: insulin indicated for diabetes mellitus

Multiple indications

  • One drug can have several indications
  • Example: methotrexate for cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus

On-label vs. off-label indications

  • On-label: FDA-approved, listed on drug label
  • Off-label: not FDA-approved, not listed on label
    • Example: amitriptyline off-label for fibromyalgia

Drug marketing regulations

  • Manufacturers cannot market drugs for non-FDA-approved (off-label) indications