Working with pharmaceutical companies, we hear the phrase “off-label use” used more and more. What exactly does this refer to?

Off-label use refers to the prescribing of drugs for treatment outside of the regulatory-approved label or indication. While this practice certainly has its pros and cons, it’s interesting to note how off-label use works in our own personal lives, outside of the pharmaceutical space. With the economic crisis, the push to go green, and a “simpler lifestyle” mentality emerging, off-label consumer product usage makes sense on several levels.


We’ve listed below a sampling of how consumer products are used “off-label,” and thought we’d issue a challenge to our readers. Send us your favorite or most unique off-label consumer product example via our Comments; we’ll decide on the most interesting one and send you a brand salsa coffee mug. You can use it simply for coffee, or go crazy with an off-label use for it as well!  Contest ends Nov. 25.

  • Toothpaste on beestings
  • Chewing tobacco on beestings
  • Pencil to pull long hair back
  • White vinegar and Vicks Vapor Rub (brand specific) to prevent and treat nail fungus
  • Toothpaste on acne
  • Pencil eraser as an earring back replacement
  • Binder clip as a chip clip
  • Duct tape for enhancing cleavage
  • Sports stick spray to hold a bathing suit in place
  • Vaseline (brand specific) to hold a smile
  • Chalk to touch up a wedding dress
  • Preparation H (brand specific) to reduce swelling for puffy eyes
  • Cow udder cream for cracked hands
  • Nail polish remover for scuffs on white shoes
  • Velveeta Cheese boxes for holiday wrapping
  • Kool-Aid to dye hair
  • Seltzer water for stains
  • Nail polish to stop runs in pantyhose
  • Bobby pin to hold folded jeans up
  • SuperGlue (brand specific) as skin protector