prophylactic
/ˌprɒfɪˈlaktɪk
/adjective
Intended to prevent disease: prophylactic measures...
- The role of traditional risk factors and prophylactic measures in air travel-related venous thromboembolism needs further investigation.
- Although some of these illnesses can be prevented by vaccines or prophylactic measures, proper sanitation and personal cleanliness are vital to disease prevention.
- Preventive or prophylactic therapy is helpful in most of the cases and requires a small dose of antibiotic, which is generally given at bed time for prolonged periods of 6 to 12 months.
Synonyms
preventive, preventative, precautionary, protective, disease-preventing, pre-emptive, counteractive, preclusive, anticipatory, inhibitory, deterrent
noun
1A medicine or course of action used to prevent disease: I took malaria prophylactics...
- It is an anti-oestrogen widely used in the adjuvant therapy of breast cancer and is also used as a prophylactic to prevent the disease in high-risk women.
- In animal experiments and observational research, vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, looks promising as a prophylactic against cardiovascular disease and cancer, but short term clinical trials have been disappointing.
- Its use as a prophylactic, especially in cardiac surgery, may increase.
Synonyms
preventive measure, precaution, safeguard, safety measure;
preventive medicine
2North American A condom.As the primary vehicle for the sale of prophylactics, drugstores brought condoms within the reach of increasing numbers of American males....
- In Maryland, it is illegal to sell condoms from vending machines with one exception: prophylactics may be dispensed from a vending machine only in places where alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on the premises.
- Faced with an epidemic of gonorrhea and syphilis, American commanders overseas ignored domestic advice-givers and followed the French practice of providing their men with prophylactics.
Synonyms
condom, sheath;
female condom
British trademark Durex, Femidom
informal Frenchy
British informal johnny, something for the weekend
North American informal rubber, safe, safety, skin
British informal, dated French letter
dated protective
Derivatives
prophylactically
/ adverb ...- Drugs like verapamil, divalproex, topiramate, lithium carbonate, methysergide and prednisone are used prophylactically in prevention.
- You see, I am one of those people who live prophylactically and sanely and sensibly.
- Following recovery from an acute episode they were treated prophylactically with lithium carbonate and followed for a period of two years.
Origin
Late 16th century: from French prophylactique, from Greek prophulaktikos, from pro 'before' + phulassein 'to guard'.