What are contraindications?
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What is a contraindication?
A contraindication (Latin contraindication) is a circumstance in which a certain drug is not allowed to be used, as it can otherwise lead to dangerous health damage.
Such a circumstance could be an acute cold or a chronic illness like rheumatism. But pregnancy and breastfeeding, a certain age (children, over 65-year-olds) or the regular use of other medications can also represent a contraindication.
the Reasons for contraindications are diverse. Some herbs work too weakly or too strongly under certain conditions. In pregnant women, they can harm the unborn child or interact with other drugs.
An example: The well-known pain substance acetylsalicylic acid has gastric discomfort as a possible side effect. Most people who take the drug for a short period of time don't even notice it. However, it could worsen the symptoms in patients with stomach ulcers. Existing stomach ulcers are therefore a contraindication for this active ingredient.
Absolute and relative contraindications
Some contraindications must be strictly observed (absolute contraindication); others leave the doctor more leeway (relative contraindication, restriction of use).
An absolute contraindication would be, for example, if the drug has such serious side effects that its use is not permitted under any circumstances. In the case of acetylsalicylic acid, in addition to active gastric ulcers, for example, a pathologically increased tendency to bleeding and the last trimester of pregnancy (3rd trimester).
In the case of relative contraindications, on the other hand, the doctor can decide on a case-by-case basis: There is a certain health risk when using the drug in question. However, if the expected benefit is greater than this, the doctor can still prescribe the drug to the patient. Relative contraindications for acetylsalicylic acid are, for example, the 1st and 2nd trimester of pregnancy (1st and 2nd trimester), bronchial asthma and children and adolescents up to the age of 16.
Look at the package insert
The contraindications of a drug are listed in the package insert, for example. Before taking any new medication, read it carefully - especially if you are taking over-the-counter medication without medical advice. If you are unsure: it is imperative that you ask a doctor or pharmacist before you start using the medication.
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