Which of the following is a common side effect of many medications?

Weight gain is a common side effect associated with many medications. Certain classes of drugs, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, corticosteroids, and some diabetes medications, have been linked to changes in metabolism, appetite stimulation, or fluid retention, all of which can lead to an increase in weight.

Understanding weight gain as a side effect is important for both healthcare providers and patients, as managing this side effect can be crucial for adherence to medication regimens and overall health. It’s important for individuals to monitor their weight and communicate with their healthcare providers about any concerns regarding changes in their body weight when starting new medications.

The other options, while they can be beneficial effects or desired outcomes of certain treatments, are not generally recognized as common side effects. Improving concentration and energy levels may occur with stimulants or certain antidepressants but are not widespread across many drugs, while an enhanced immune response is typically related to vaccines or immunotherapy, rather than being a common side effect of medications.