Which statement about iatrogenic medicine is correct?

• A. Benzodiazepines can lead to dependence
• B. Antacids cure all iatrogenic issues
• C. Iatrogenic conditions are always intentional
• D. Vaccines cause dependence

Answer: (A)

Iatrogenic effects are adverse conditions caused by medical treatment itself, not by the underlying illness. Benzodiazepines, when prescribed for anxiety or sleep, can lead to physical dependence, especially with longer use or rapid dose increases. This dependence is a known risk of pharmacotherapy and highlights why careful prescribing matters: use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration, monitor for signs of dependence, and plan a gradual taper if stopping. The other statements don’t fit because antacids don’t “cure” all iatrogenic problems and iatrogenic conditions aren’t intentional—these are unintended harms from care. Vaccines don’t cause dependence; they may have side effects, but dependence is not a typical outcome.