What it means
The beginning of many drug class names, because the drug works against something: an antibiotican-tee-by-OT-ikA drug that kills bacteria or stops them from growing.anti- againstbi/o life-ic relating toFull entry works against bacteria, an anticoagulantan-tee-koh-AG-yoo-luntA drug that slows the blood's ability to form clots.anti- againstcoagul/o clotting-ant an agent that doesFull entry against clotting, an antiemetic against vomiting, an antipyretic against fever, and an antihypertensive against high blood pressure. Do not confuse it with ante-AN-teeA word beginning that means before, in time or in place.Full entry , which means before.
Remember it
Anti is against, like antivirus software.
Related terms
antineoplastic
A drug used to treat cancer by killing cancer cells or stopping them from growing and dividing.
anticoagulant
A drug that slows the blood's ability to form clots.
ante-
A word beginning that means before, in time or in place.
antibiotic
A drug that kills bacteria or stops them from growing.