What medication category would a physician prescribe to reduce inflammation in a patient?

The medication category that would be prescribed to reduce inflammation is anti-inflammatory. These medications are specifically designed to alleviate the inflammatory response in the body, which may be due to various conditions such as arthritis, injury, or allergic reactions.

Anti-inflammatory drugs help to reduce swelling, redness, and pain associated with inflammation, allowing for faster recovery and improved comfort for the patient. Common examples include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen, as well as corticosteroids, which are potent anti-inflammatories used for more severe inflammation.

In contrast, antihistamines are primarily used to treat allergic reactions and symptoms, analgesics are focused on pain relief without necessarily targeting inflammation, and antibiotics are intended to fight bacterial infections, not inflammation. Thus, anti-inflammatory medications are the most effective and appropriate choice for addressing inflammation directly.