European journal of clinical pharmacology
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Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol. · Jan 2016
Multicenter StudyOff-label and unlicensed drug treatments in Neonatal Intensive Care Units: an Italian multicentre study.
The use of medicines among newborns admitted to intensive care units is characterized by a high prevalence of off-label/unlicensed use and a wide variability in the absence of international guidelines. A prospective cross-sectional study was organized with the aim to analyse drug prescriptions among all 107 Italian level III neonatal intensive care units. ⋯ Our results confirm the high prevalence of off-label/unlicensed drug use in the neonatal population and underline a better adherence to indications based on clinical practice, suggesting the need to update information contained in the data sheets of medicines.