Contraindication

A condition which makes a particular treatment or procedure inadvisable. A contraindication may be absolute or relative. An absolute contraindication is a situation which makes a particular treatment or procedure absolutely inadvisable. In a baby, for example, aspirin is absolutely contraindicated because of the danger that aspirin will cause Reye syndrome. A relative contraindication is a condition which makes a particular treatment or procedure somewhat inadvisable but does not rule it out. For example, X-rays in pregnancy are relatively contraindicated (because of concern for the developing fetus) unless the X-rays are absolutely necessary. A contraindication is literally contra- (against) an indication, against something that is indicated as advisable or necessary.

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Any special symptom or circumstance that renders the use of a remedy or the carrying out of a procedure inadvisable, usually because of risk.

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con·tra·in·di·ca·tion -.in-də-'kā-shən n something (as a symptom or condition) that makes a particular treatment or procedure inadvisable

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n.

any factor in a patient's condition that makes it unwise to pursue a certain line of treatment. For example, an attack of pneumonia in a patient would be a strong contraindication against the use of a general anaesthetic.

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con·tra·in·di·ca·tion (kon″trə-in″dĭ-kaґshən) any condition, especially any condition of disease, which renders some particular line of treatment improper or undesirable.