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Pharmacy & Pharmacology vocabulary · Side Effects and Interactions

Contraindication

Meaning in pharmacy & pharmacology, with examples

/ˌkɑntrəˌɪndɪˈkeɪʃən/nounCore term

In pharmacy & pharmacology, contraindication means: A condition or situation in which a particular medicine should not be used because the risk of harm is too high, such as pregnancy, an allergy or a certain disease.

In Turkish: kontrendikasyon

How it is used

Listed in every product information and checked before dispensing. Contraindications can be absolute (never use) or relative (use only with great care). The adjective is very common: 'This drug is contraindicated in severe liver disease.' 'Caution' or 'precaution' means the drug can be used, but carefully.

Example sentences

  1. Asthma is a contraindication to non-selective beta blockers such as propranolol.

  2. Check the contraindications before you hand over the medicine.

Common collocations

  • absolute contraindication
  • relative contraindication
  • contraindicated in
  • check for contraindications
  • drug interactionA change in the effect of a medicine caused by another medicine, a food, a drink or a disease, which can make the medicine weaker, stronger or more harmful.
  • side effectAn effect of a medicine that is not the main reason for taking it; most side effects are unwanted, such as nausea, drowsiness or a headache.
  • allergic reactionA response of the immune system to a medicine or other substance that it wrongly treats as harmful, causing signs such as a rash, itching, swelling or difficulty breathing.
  • patient information leafletThe printed leaflet inside a medicine pack that explains in plain language what the medicine is for, how to take it, its possible side effects and how to store it.

This word in other fields

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

More terms: Side Effects and Interactions

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