Contraindication

A situation in which a medication should not be used at all.

A contraindication is a condition, medication or circumstance under which a drug must not be given because the risk clearly outweighs any benefit. An absolute contraindication rules the medication out entirely — nitrates alongside a PDE5 inhibitor, for instance. A relative contraindication means the drug may still be used, but only where the expected benefit justifies the added risk and usually with closer monitoring. Contraindications are not the same as side effects: a side effect is something that may happen, a contraindication is a reason not to start.

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