AVMA releases FAQ on extralabel drug use

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The AVMA has released a new FAQ about how to follow federal rules for extralabel drug use in veterinary practice.

The document, available here provides answers to frequently asked questions from veterinarians about using drugs in ways that deviate from the labeling approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

According to the document, the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act allows veterinarians to prescribe animal and human drugs for extralabel uses only under certain guidelines. The FAQ offers considerations for extralabel drug use in everyday practice as well as a more exhaustive list of criteria for extralabel drug use. The document notes the drugs that the FDA has prohibited for extralabel use in food-producing animals.

Other entries in the FAQ provide more details about using drugs labeled for another species, record and label requirements for extralabel drug use, and many other common concerns.

The document links to the AVMA brochure on extralabel drug use, which features an algorithm for determining when extralabel drug use is appropriate.

AVMA headquarters extern Jessica Green (IL '12) contributed to the FAQ.