Massachusetts Pharmacy Technician License Practice Test

What is an example of a commonly used NSAID?

1. Celecoxib

2. Acetaminophen

3. Prozac

4. Xanax

The correct answer is: Celecoxib

Celecoxib is a commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is primarily prescribed to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and lower fever. It belongs to a class of medications known as COX-2 inhibitors, which specifically target the cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme involved in the inflammatory process. This selectivity allows for effective pain relief with a potentially lower risk of gastrointestinal side effects compared to traditional NSAIDs that inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. Other choices include acetaminophen, which is an analgesic and antipyretic but not classified as an NSAID because it does not possess significant anti-inflammatory properties. Prozac is an antidepressant belonging to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class, while Xanax is a benzodiazepine used primarily for anxiety treatment. Both of these medications serve very different therapeutic purposes unrelated to inflammation or pain relief, different from the function of NSAIDs like Celecoxib.