contraindication
A specific situation, condition, or factor that serves as a reason to withhold a particular pharmaceutical or medical treatment due to the harm it would cause.
Implies a medical danger or conflict between a therapy and a patient's pre-existing state, rather than just a mild side effect.
Word relationships
- red flag: Red flag is an informal term for a warning signal, whereas contraindication is a precise medical terms for clinical prohibition.
- indication: An indication is a valid clinical reason or sign to prescribe a specific medication or procedure.
Commonly confused with
- side effect: A side effect is an secondary outcome caused by taking a drug, whereas a contraindication is a condition that forbids taking the drug in the first place.
Word family
- contraindicate (verb): To advise against a specific treatment due to potential harm.
Collocations
- absolute contraindication
- relative contraindication
- major contraindication
- contraindication to therapy
Example sentences
- "Severe renal impairment represents an absolute contraindication for the use of this contrast dye." Medical Assessment
- "Pregnancy is a well-known contraindication for live attenuated vaccines due to potential risks to the fetus." Clinical Guidance
Memory hook
CONTRA (against) + INDICATION (pointing to a fix) = Pointing AGAINST using a drug. Contraindication = A reason to STOP and NOT prescribe.
When not to use
Do not use 'contraindication' for a general inconvenience or personal dislike; it refers strictly to medical risk factors.
Fun facts
- In clinical medicine, contraindications are classified as either 'absolute' (never give the drug under any circumstance) or 'relative' (weigh risks versus benefits carefully).
Explore more words
interfere, intervention, coercion, discontinue, prophylactic, inoperable
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