Which of the following is an analgesic that can reduce the quantity of opioids needed for pain relief?

The correct answer to the question is that NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can effectively reduce the amount of opioids needed for pain relief. This is because NSAIDs work by reducing inflammation and alleviating pain through their action on the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes that produce prostaglandins, which are compounds involved in the pain and inflammatory response. When NSAIDs are used in conjunction with opioids, they can provide additive analgesic effects, meaning that lower doses of opioids can be used effectively, thereby reducing the risks associated with opioid use, such as dependence, tolerance, and potential overdose.

While acetaminophen is also an analgesic that can complement opioid therapy by reducing the amount of opioid needed, it primarily works through a different mechanism and does not target inflammation directly like NSAIDs do.

Corticosteroids can reduce inflammation and pain but are typically used for different indications and are not standard first-line agents for managing pain compared to NSAIDs.

Antidepressants can have analgesic properties, especially in specific types of pain, such as neuropathic pain, but they are not traditional analgesics and are more often used as adjunctive treatment rather than as primary measures for pain relief.

Thus, NSA