Ethics of Off-Label Prescriptions

Describe the benefits and negatives to using/prescribing drugs for off-label effects, and address the ethics of using a drug for “off-target effects.”

The point of this essay was to find a drug with benefits to patients outside of the normal treatment group. The drug I chose to discuss is gabapentin, an anti-convulsant used to treat seizures as well as neuropathic pain. It is also prescribed “off-label” as treatment for hot flashes and restless leg syndrome (among other things). I have this portion covered in detail, but I have no idea how to discuss the ethics of this issue. So the upper paragraph has my best summary of what needs to be done. I need around 3 pages discussing the benefits/drawbacks of using medicines for off-label treatment as well as some discussion of the ethical implications to the use of drugs for different treatments than their intended purpose. Don’t worry about an introductory paragraph, I’ve got that down.