At some point, you may come across the term “off-label prescribing”. It’s a common and well-established medical practice, but it can be confusing.
Let’s discuss what off-label use means, how it differs from unlicensed medications, and why we sometimes recommend an off-label approach at Voy.
What does “off-label” mean?
Off-label prescribing means using a licensed medication in a way that isn’t specifically outlined in its official licence.
When a medicine is approved, its official license (called the marketing authorisation) sets out exactly how it should be used—things like the condition it treats, the recommended dose and how often it should be taken. But sometimes, a doctor might recommend that the medicine is used in a slightly different way. And this is what we mean by “off-label prescribing”.
Prescribing a medicine off-label might mean:
- Giving a higher or lower dose
- Using the medication for a different condition
- Prescribing the medication for a different age group
- Giving it in a different way (like an injection instead of a tablet)
- Using it for shorter or longer than detailed in the official license
That might sound unusual, but off-label use is common and completely legal across the NHS and other healthcare systems. Doctors don’t take these decisions lightly. Off-label prescribing is always based on their clinical judgement and the best available evidence.
What’s the difference between off-label prescribing and using an unlicensed medication?
Off-label prescribing is not the same as using an unlicensed medicine. The two terms are often confused, but there is an important difference:
- Off-label means using a licensed medication in a way that differs from the official license.
- Unlicensed means using a medication that has not been approved for use in the UK.
At Voy, we do not use unlicensed medications. All medicines we prescribe are licensed for use in the UK.
A simple analogy: cooking with oats
Licensed use is like following a porridge recipe exactly. You use oats and water, and follow the cooking method and timing just as printed on the pack. That’s similar to prescribing a medicine exactly as outlined in its licence.
Off-label use is a bit like using the same oats but preparing them differently to suit your needs or preferences. The core ingredient is the same, and it’s still safe and effective, but you’ve adjusted how it’s used.
Here’s how that might look:
- Using more or less oats
- Making oat muffins instead of porridge
- Baking instead of boiling
- Soaking overnight or cooking longer
In each case, you're working with the same ingredient. You’re just using it in a way that works better for your situation, based on good knowledge and experience.
Unlicensed use would be like replacing oats with a completely different grain that hasn’t been approved for consumption in your country. It might work elsewhere, but it isn’t authorised here for this purpose.
Why we might recommend an off-label approach
At Voy, we only recommend off-label prescribing when we believe it offers a safe, more effective pathway for your care. One example is when switching from one GLP-1 medication, like Mounjaro, to another, such as Wegovy. While the standard guidance is to start from the lowest dose, that may not always be the most clinically appropriate option.
If you've already been using Mounjaro and responded well with minimal side effects, restarting from the very beginning with Wegovy could slow your progress. In these cases, we may recommend starting at a slightly higher dose. This helps you continue safely without losing momentum. So the approach is considered ‘off-label” but is based on your individual treatment history and the best available clinical data.
If you would prefer to begin at the standard lower dose, that is completely fine too. The choice is always yours.
How we make that decision
Our licensed prescribers review your case in full before recommending any off-label option. This includes looking at:
- The specific medication you’ve been using
- Your most recent dose and how long you’ve been on it
- Any side effects you’ve experienced
- How well you’ve tolerated treatment overall
- Your broader medical history and reported conditions
We use all of this information to decide whether an off-label approach is the most effective option for your care.
Is off-label prescribing safe?
Yes. Off-label prescribing is widely used across many areas of medicine, including dermatology, cardiology, fertility, and mental health. It is also regularly used by NHS services when supported by clinical reasoning and good evidence.
The key is that it’s prescribed thoughtfully and with your safety in mind. At Voy, all off-label decisions are made by qualified prescribers based on your personal treatment and medical history.
If we recommend an off-label approach for you, we’ll always explain this in advance, including why it’s being suggested and what your options are. You’ll never be prescribed off-label without knowing.
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¹“Drug Safety Update: Off‑label or Unlicensed Use of Medicines—Prescribers’ Responsibilities.” UK Government
, 27 Sept. 2019, www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/off-label-or-unlicensed-use-of-medicines-prescribers-responsibilities#post-publication-note-september‑2019. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
²“Introduction.” NICE Good Practice Guidance: Managing Medicines. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, www.nice.org.uk/process/pmg2/chapter/introduction. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
