What this site is, and isn't.

Not a clinician, not practising medicine

The author of Read Off Label is not a licensed medical professional and is not engaged in the practice of medicine. No physician-patient relationship is formed by reading, subscribing, or emailing. Nothing on this site should be used to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition.

Consult a licensed clinician

Before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement, drug, or protocol — including ones that are over-the-counter, sold online, or recommended by friends — speak with a licensed healthcare professional who knows your history, medications, labs, and goals. A compound that is top-tier in the rankings can be inappropriate or dangerous for you specifically.

Off-label use carries real risk

Much of what is covered here is off-label — used outside the specific indications for which a drug is approved. Off-label use may be supported by evidence, but it also removes many of the guardrails regulators and prescribers typically rely on. Some off-label uses are actively unsafe. Others are fine in skilled hands and dangerous without supervision.

The scores are opinions

Evidence, Effectiveness, and Risk scores reflect the author's reading of the published literature at the time of scoring. Reasonable experts can and do disagree. Scores move as new research arrives or as errors are pointed out. See the changelog for every change.

Legality varies by jurisdiction

Some compounds discussed here are prescription-only, controlled, or illegal in certain countries, states, or sports-testing contexts. Always verify the legal status in your jurisdiction before acquiring or using anything covered here. Nothing on this site should be taken as encouragement to obtain any substance outside of legal channels.

No affiliate relationships

The site has no affiliate links. The author does not receive commissions or referral fees from any supplement brand, pharmacy, clinic, telehealth service, or testing lab mentioned on the site. If a future sponsor relationship changes this, it will be disclosed prominently before that relationship takes effect.

Emergencies

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, stop reading, call your local emergency services, and go to the nearest hospital. This site cannot help in that situation.

Liability

You use this site at your own risk. The author disclaims all liability, to the maximum extent permitted by law, for any outcome — injury, illness, financial loss, or otherwise — arising from any use or misuse of the information presented. By using this site you agree that your health decisions are your own responsibility in partnership with a licensed clinician.