Adverse effects can be beneficial.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Sometimes
• D. Not sure

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that the impact of a drug isn’t black and white; the same action that causes an adverse effect can also be advantageous in the right context. Adverse effects are part of the overall benefit-risk picture clinicians weigh when choosing treatments. For example, a sedating antihistamine used for allergy can produce drowsiness, which becomes a helpful effect if the patient needs help sleeping. Similarly, a drug might cause appetite suppression as a side effect, which can be beneficial for weight loss. In some therapies, the adverse effects reflect the drug’s mechanism in a way that supports the intended outcome, and with appropriate management, the overall benefit can outweigh the harms. So, it’s true that adverse effects can be beneficial in certain situations.