What is a potential disadvantage of using corticosteroids alongside anthelmintics?

Using corticosteroids in conjunction with anthelmintics can pose the disadvantage of masking symptoms or potentially exacerbating the infestation. Corticosteroids are known for their immunosuppressive properties, which can diminish the body's ability to mount an effective immune response against parasites. This suppression can make it difficult to monitor the success of the anthelmintic treatment, as corticosteroids might reduce inflammation and other symptoms typically associated with the infection, giving the impression that the treatment is not effective when, in fact, the infection might still persist or even worsen.

While the other options mention various effects of corticosteroids, they do not directly convey the critical concern related to their use with anthelmintics. For instance, while corticosteroids can lead to weight gain or may interact with drug absorption, these aspects are not as significant as the risk of obscuring the clinical picture of the existing parasitic infection. Additionally, although corticosteroids may increase side effects of other medications, this does not specifically relate to the unique dynamics of treating parasitic infections with anthelmintics. Therefore, masking symptoms and exacerbating infestation presents a notable concern when combining these two classes of medications.