An analgesic is a drug used for:

An analgesic is specifically designed to relieve pain. This category of medication works by blocking pain signals from reaching the brain or by interfering with the brain's interpretation of those signals. Analgesics can be divided into various classes, including non-opioid analgesics like acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as well as opioid analgesics for more severe pain. Their primary role is to alleviate discomfort, making them a fundamental part of pain management in medical settings.

While other choices might be related to treatment in clinical contexts, such as reducing inflammation or lowering fever, those functions pertain to different types of medications. For instance, NSAIDs can have analgesic properties but also reduce inflammation. However, the defining characteristic of an analgesic is its primary purpose of pain relief. Thus, the correct answer centers directly on the function of analgesics in managing pain.