Which of the following medications is classified as analgesics?

Analgesics are a specific category of medications designed to relieve pain. This classification includes various types of pain relievers, ranging from non-opioid options like acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to stronger opioids used for more severe pain. The primary mechanism of action for analgesics is to interrupt the pain signaling process in the body, either at the site of pain or within the nervous system, effectively providing relief.

In contrast, medications that reduce stomach acid are classified as antacids or proton pump inhibitors, which are not involved in pain relief. Those that treat infections are antibiotics or antimicrobial agents, which aim to eliminate pathogens and do not address pain relief directly. Medications that induce sleep fall under the category of sedatives or hypnotics and are used to manage sleep disorders rather than manage pain. Therefore, the choice that correctly identifies a category of drugs aimed at pain relief is the one that states medications that relieve pain.