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Medicine vocabulary · Prescriptions and Medication

Contraindication

Meaning in medicine, with examples

/ˌkɑːntrəˌɪndɪˈkeɪʃən/nounCommon term

In medicine, contraindication means: A condition or situation that makes a particular drug, test or procedure unsafe or unsuitable for a patient.

In Turkish: kontrendikasyon

How it is used

Listed in drug references and checked before prescribing. Doctors speak of absolute and relative contraindications. The adjective form is contraindicated: 'This drug is contraindicated in pregnancy.'

Example sentences

  1. Active bleeding is a contraindication to starting blood thinners.

  2. Check for contraindications before you book the MRI, especially pacemakers.

Common collocations

  • absolute contraindication
  • relative contraindication
  • contraindication to
  • contraindicated in
  • prescribeTo officially decide on and write down a medicine or treatment for a patient, so that they can get it from a pharmacy.
  • side effectAn effect of a medicine or treatment that is not the main one intended, and is often unwanted, such as drowsiness or an upset stomach.
  • allergyA harmful reaction of the immune system to something that is normally harmless, such as a medicine, a food or pollen.
  • MRIShort for magnetic resonance imaging: a scan that uses a strong magnet and radio waves to make detailed pictures, especially of the brain, spine, joints and soft tissues.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Prescriptions and Medication

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.