contraindication
A condition or factor that makes a particular treatment inadvisable or potentially harmful.
Full Definition
A contraindication is a specific situation in which a drug, procedure, or surgery should not be used because it may be harmful to the patient. In psychiatry, contraindications are particularly important when prescribing psychotropic medications. Absolute contraindications make a treatment completely inadvisable (such as MAOIs with SSRIs due to serotonin syndrome risk), while relative contraindications require careful risk-benefit analysis (such as antipsychotics in elderly patients with dementia). Common psychiatric contraindications include medication allergies, drug interactions, medical comorbidities, pregnancy considerations, and previous adverse reactions. Documentation of contraindications is essential for patient safety and medicolegal protection.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish between absolute and relative contraindications in documentation.
In Context
- "Previous lithium toxicity was noted as an absolute contraindication for mood stabilizer selection." — medication review
- "The contraindication list was updated following the patient's cardiac evaluation." — medical record update