MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Contraindications

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Contraindications

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Definition

Definition

A contraindication is a specific situation where a drug, procedure, or surgery should NOT be used, because it may be harmful to the patient. For example, some treatments can cause unwanted or dangerous actions in people with allergies, high blood pressure, or pregnancy. As another example, many medications interact and should not be used together by the same person.

Update Date: 5/6/2003

Updated by: David Webner, M.D., Department of Family Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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