[noun] remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease; "the doctor recommended several preventatives" Synonyms: preventative, prophylactic
[adjective] preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease; "preventive medicine"; "vaccines are prophylactic"; "a prophylactic drug" Synonyms: preventative, prophylactic
[adjective] tending to prevent or hinder Synonyms: preventative
[adjective] tending to ward off; "the swastika...a very ancient prophylactic symbol occurring among all peoples"- Victor Schultze Synonyms: cautionary, prophylactic