Strategies to make the Off-Label Use and dosage of drugs safer Different studies have shown that errors in medication administration are common in pediatrics.

Strategies to make the Off-Label Use and dosage of drugs safer Different studies have shown that errors in medication administration are common in pediatrics.

Therefore, strategies such as comprehensive child assessment before introducing these

medications and close monitoring for adverse effects such as fever and diarrhea are necessary.

Measures such as vital signs and baseline tests before medication administration should be done

before and while administering such drugs. The patient should be monitored for adverse events,

and if any occur, this should be documented appropriately. Also, laboratory tests such as liver

function and coagulation tests, especially for valproate and baseline ECG for tricyclic

antidepressants, should be considered.

Consequently, dose and regimen should be adjusted or altered if toxicity is suspected (De

Hert & Detraux, 2018). Bupropion and lithium require extra vigilance and monitoring since

lithium has a high risk of toxicity due to its narrow therapeutic, while Bupropion has an

increased risk of seizures. According to Wu & Wu (2014), the following strategies can be

implemented;

1. The off-label use generally should be limited to the context of research

protocols.

2. Patients should engage in a formal informed consent process with the

physician-researcher before receiving drugs for experimental off-label use.