What it means
Every FDA drug label has a Contraindications section. FDA guidance says a drug should be contraindicated only when the risk clearly outweighs any possible benefit, and only for known hazards, not theoretical ones. If none are known, the section says "None."
For GLP-1 medicines, the labeled contraindications include a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, MEN 2, and a prior serious allergic reaction to the drug or its ingredients.
Contraindications are stronger than warnings. A warning flags a risk to monitor or weigh, such as gallbladder problems or low blood sugar with other diabetes drugs. A contraindication means the drug should not be used in that situation.
Some clinicians also talk about "relative" contraindications, meaning factors that call for extra caution. Your prescriber reviews your full history against the label, so bring a complete list of your conditions and family history.
Why it matters
A single contraindication, such as a family history of MTC, can rule out an entire class of weight-loss medicines.