Which one of the following drugs is commonly used as an anti inflammatory medicine to reduce inflammation in various disorders?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Prednisone, a corticosteroid used systemically for its strong anti inflammatory action

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Many drugs are used in clinical practice, and it is important to recognise their main therapeutic uses. Anti inflammatory medicines are widely prescribed to reduce swelling, pain, and immune mediated damage in many conditions such as asthma, arthritis, and allergic reactions. This question asks you to identify which among the listed drugs is used primarily for anti inflammatory effects, rather than for diabetes, anxiety, or glaucoma.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Four drugs are listed by their generic names.
  • The question asks specifically for a drug used as an anti inflammatory medicine.
  • Options include Metformin, Diazepam, Latanoprost, and Prednisone.
  • We assume basic awareness of common drug classes and their main indications.


Concept / Approach:
Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid that mimics the action of natural glucocorticoids produced by the adrenal cortex. It has strong anti inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects and is used in many conditions such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and severe allergic reactions. Metformin is an oral hypoglycemic agent used mainly to improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. Diazepam is a benzodiazepine used as an anxiolytic, sedative, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant, not primarily as an anti inflammatory drug. Latanoprost is a prostaglandin analogue eye drop used mainly to treat glaucoma by increasing aqueous humor outflow. Therefore, among the given choices, Prednisone is the correct anti inflammatory drug.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the main therapeutic use of each listed drug. Step 2: Recall that Metformin is associated with diabetes management, not inflammation control. Step 3: Remember that Diazepam is primarily an anti anxiety and sedative medication. Step 4: Recognise that Latanoprost is used in ophthalmology to treat raised eye pressure. Step 5: Note that Prednisone is a corticosteroid with broad anti inflammatory and immunosuppressive actions, fitting the requirement of the question.


Verification / Alternative check:
Drug formularies and pharmacology textbooks list Prednisone under systemic corticosteroids with indications that include inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Standard guidelines recommend it for acute asthma exacerbations, certain skin diseases, and connective tissue disorders. In contrast, Metformin appears under antidiabetic drugs, Diazepam under benzodiazepines, and Latanoprost under antiglaucoma medications. This clear separation of uses confirms that Prednisone is the anti inflammatory option among those listed.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Metformin, a drug mainly used to control blood glucose in diabetes mellitus: It improves insulin sensitivity and does not have significant clinical anti inflammatory use.
  • Diazepam, a medicine used primarily as an anxiolytic and sedative: It acts on the central nervous system and is not prescribed to reduce inflammation.
  • Latanoprost, an eye drop used to lower intraocular pressure in glaucoma: Its main purpose is to prevent optic nerve damage in glaucoma, not to act as a systemic anti inflammatory medicine.


Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse drug uses because many generic names appear similar or because some drugs have multiple effects. A helpful strategy is to group drugs by major class: corticosteroids like Prednisone are strongly anti inflammatory, while antidiabetics, anxiolytics, and antiglaucoma agents serve different primary purposes. Revising frequently used generic names with their main clinical indications can prevent such confusion in examinations.


Final Answer:
The drug used as an anti inflammatory medicine among the listed options is Prednisone, a corticosteroid used systemically for its strong anti inflammatory action.

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