Medically inadvisable or inappropriate as a treatment because it may cause harm or be ineffective due to a patient's condition or other medications.
From Latin 'contra' (against) plus 'indicate' (from 'indicare,' to point out). Medical term formed in the 19th century to describe treatments that evidence suggests should not be used.
Doctors use this word to describe treatments that seem logical but are actually dangerous—antibiotics are contraindicated for viral infections, which is why overuse creates resistant bacteria that threaten everyone.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.