Treatments & prescriptions
What do approved, off label, and compounded mean?
These words describe how a medicine is being used. They matter for safety, and they are worth asking about.
These answers describe how telehealth care generally works. Your provider will confirm anything that applies specifically to you.
Approval depends on the exact product
An ingredient name alone does not establish approval. Approval applies to the exact product, formulation, dose, and use, and it can differ between products that share an ingredient.
Off label use means a provider prescribes an approved medicine for a purpose or population the approval does not cover. This is a legitimate medical decision, and your provider should explain the evidence and risks behind it.
Compounded medicines
Compounded medicines are prepared for individual patients and are not FDA approved. They are not reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality before marketing.
If a compounded option is offered, ask why it is being suggested instead of an approved product, and what safety information applies. Your provider should confirm which product you are receiving.
Related answers
A conversation comes first.
Your provider reviews your history and goals before any treatment is considered, and will explain the options, safety information, and follow up care that apply to you.
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