contraindication /-in′dikā″shən/ [L, contra, against, indicare, to make known] , a factor that prohibits the administration of a drug or the performance of an act or procedure in the care of a specific patient. For example, pregnancy is a contraindication for the administration of tetracycline, immunosuppression may be a contraindication for vaccination, and complete placenta previa is a contraindication for vaginal delivery.
