Question

which of these is a significant risk with prolonged use of otc medications? a. otc medications are easier to become addicted to. b. otc medication side effects tend to become more pronounced. c. otc medications may cause prescription medicines to lose effectiveness. d. otc medications can mask more serious health problems.

Explanation:

1. Option A is incorrect: Most OTC medications have low addiction potential, unlike many prescription controlled substances.
2. Option B is incorrect: Side effects do not inherently worsen with prolonged appropriate OTC use for most formulations.
3. Option C is incorrect: While drug interactions can occur, OTCs do not universally make prescriptions ineffective.
4. Option D is correct: Prolonged OTC use treats only surface symptoms, preventing users from seeking care for an underlying undiagnosed serious condition that the OTC medication masks.

Answer:

D. OTC medications can mask more serious health problems.