Parkway Medical Blog

What does off-label mean to you? Many medications and devices used in medicine are used “Off Label”. What it means is that the medication or device is FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved for one purpose, and we use it for another purpose. It is legal and appropriate for physicians to use medication in this fashion, although not approved for other uses by the FDA. If something has no FDA approval, it is NOT legal to use anywhere!

Many years ago a heart medication was found to be useful in treating migraine headaches. The medication was used to treat hypertension, but those who took it found a decrease in headaches. So, doctors began using this medication and shortly thereafter, it was FDA approved for migraine treatments. Similarly, the product minoxidil (Rogaine) was used to treat hypertension and men noticed that their hair was growing. Some dermatologists began emptying the capsules to make a product that men could apply directly to the scalp, and hair grew. Thereafter, the company applied for and received FDA approval for hair growth, and the rest is history. It is now sold over the counter to treat male pattern baldness.

Many of the injections we perform at Parkway Medical Laser and Skin Centre are off label. Botox is FDA approved for use in the glabella (frown lines), yet it is used for forehead, eye’s, mouth, etc. Juvederm and Restylane are FDA approved for nasolabial folds, yet we use it for lips, chins, ears, and other areas. This does not mean we just said one day “I think I will use this somewhere else other than where it is approved.” There are conferences, studies, research, and other avenues where these things have been tried and have been successful. There is some science surrounding the use of injections.

Parkway wants you to know and understand that we and many others use these products in an off label fashion, but still within the legal limits and perfectly appropriate. Please ask about this if you have any questions.

Yearly checkups are a necessary part of maintaining good health. Many people feel that visiting a specialist, such as a cardiologist or gynecologist, each year is sufficient. Yet, you still need to visit with your family doctor.

Why you may ask? Family Practitioners are trained in preventative medicine, providing continuing and comprehensive health care. They take care of the physical, mental and emotional health of patients and their families. They know your family’s health history and how it can affect you, and are trained to care for you through all the stages of your life. Family physicians know when to treat you, and when to bring in a specialist you can trust.

What can you look forward to in a yearly exam? This is an excellent time to review all those problems that have bothered you throughout the year but were never discussed or you were afraid to talk about. Are there certain medical issues that deserve more attention than others?

The physical should cover everything from your head to your toes with a few stops in between. This includes blood tests to look for diabetes, kidney problems, liver function, anemia, cholesterol and triglycerides, thyroid function and prostate screening. If necessary, an EKG, mammogram, bone density, or a holter monitor for those feeling a flutter in their chest, may be ordered.

Most importantly, you will have the attention of a trained, familiar pair of ears that are focused on you. We look forward to seeing you for your annual exam.

Recognized as two of the top practitioners in the skin care industry, Dr. Martin Blume and Certified Medical Laser Technician & Licensed Aesthetician Breanna Hall have been invited to teach their skills to other skin care providers. Dr. Blume’s expertise led Allergan, the maker of Botox® and Juvederm®, to invite him to teach advanced techniques to experienced providers throughout the Southwest, leading them toward advanced certification. Breanna was asked by a pharmaceutical skin care company and a skin care makeup company to teach other professionals in the aesthetic and medical aesthetic industries (salons, spas and doctor’s offices), as well as students in aesthetic schools, about their individual products and how they can be used to obtain optimal results. Breanna also provides hands on makeup instruction, including basic application, color matching, eye techniques, and more advanced procedures, such as facial contouring and camouflage.

Dr. Blume and Breanna’s high level of professionalism and proficiency make Parkway Medical Laser & Skin Centre a leader in skin care rejuvenation.