Which of the following medicines is classified as a nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug (NSAID)?

Introduction / Context:
This general awareness question connects chemistry, biology and medicine. It asks which listed drug is a nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug, abbreviated as NSAID. NSAIDs are widely used medicines that reduce pain, fever and inflammation by inhibiting enzymes involved in prostaglandin synthesis. Recognising common NSAIDs is useful for both exams and everyday health literacy.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We need to identify a drug that is classified as an NSAID.
• Options: risedronate, diazepam, folic acid, ibuprofen and paracetamol.
• Assume standard pharmacological classifications used in basic medical and general knowledge sources.

Concept / Approach:
Nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs include medicines such as ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen. They reduce inflammation and pain largely by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes and reducing prostaglandin production. Among the options, ibuprofen is a classic NSAID. Risedronate is a bisphosphonate used for bone disorders, diazepam is a benzodiazepine sedative, folic acid is a vitamin, and paracetamol is mainly an analgesic and antipyretic with very weak anti inflammatory action and is often listed separately from traditional NSAIDs.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that ibuprofen is an over the counter painkiller used for headaches, muscle aches, menstrual cramps and inflammation. Step 2: Pharmacologically, ibuprofen belongs to the class of NSAIDs, which act by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes. Step 3: Risedronate is used to treat osteoporosis and other bone related conditions and works by reducing bone loss; it is not an NSAID. Step 4: Diazepam is an anti anxiety and sedative drug belonging to benzodiazepines; it acts on the central nervous system, not as an anti inflammatory drug. Step 5: Folic acid is a B group vitamin important in cell division and blood formation; it is not used to treat inflammation. Step 6: Paracetamol is widely used to reduce pain and fever but has minimal anti inflammatory action and in many classifications is listed separately from NSAIDs. Step 7: Therefore, the correct NSAID among the options is ibuprofen.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you read the labels on common pain relief tablets, ibuprofen is often explicitly described as an anti inflammatory or as part of the NSAID category. In contrast, paracetamol is described primarily as a pain reliever and fever reducer. Medical guides and pharmacology textbooks group ibuprofen with aspirin and naproxen under NSAIDs, while placing diazepam under anxiolytics, risedronate under bisphosphonates and folic acid under vitamins.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Risedronate affects bone metabolism and has no primary role as an anti inflammatory drug. Diazepam affects neurotransmitter systems and is used for anxiety, muscle spasms and seizures. Folic acid is a nutrient supplement and does not reduce inflammation. Paracetamol lacks strong anti inflammatory effects at normal doses and is usually not classified as a standard NSAID for exam purposes. Therefore, these options do not match the required classification.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse paracetamol with NSAIDs because both relieve pain and fever. However, exam questions expect you to distinguish ibuprofen and aspirin as typical NSAIDs. Another pitfall is to guess based on unfamiliar names; while risedronate and diazepam may sound complex, their uses are quite different from anti inflammatory therapy. It is helpful to associate ibuprofen and similar names directly with the NSAID category during revision.

Final Answer:
The drug among the options that is classified as a nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug is ibuprofen.