Which among the following is not an analgesic?

Ranitidine

The correct answer is option 4. Ranitidine.

Analgesics are medications used to relieve pain. They work by targeting the nervous system to reduce the perception of pain or by reducing inflammation. There are various types of analgesics, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and combination medications.

1. Morphine:

Morphine is a potent opioid analgesic derived from the opium poppy plant. It is commonly used to relieve severe pain, such as that experienced after surgery or due to certain medical conditions. Morphine works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, reducing the perception of pain. It is considered one of the most effective pain relievers available.

2. Heroin:

Heroin is an illegal opioid drug synthesized from morphine. Like morphine, it binds to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, producing powerful pain relief. However, heroin is not used medically due to its high potential for addiction, abuse, and overdose.

3. Codeine:

Codeine is another opioid analgesic, though less potent than morphine. It is commonly used to treat mild to moderate pain and is also used as a cough suppressant. Codeine works similarly to morphine by binding to opioid receptors to reduce pain perception.

4. Ranitidine:

Ranitidine is not an analgesic. It is a medication used to reduce the production of stomach acid by blocking histamine receptors in the stomach lining. Ranitidine is primarily used to treat conditions such as heartburn, acid reflux, and ulcers, rather than pain relief.

Among the options provided, ranitidine stands out as the medication that is not an analgesic. While morphine, heroin, and codeine are opioid analgesics used to relieve pain, ranitidine is a medication primarily used to treat gastrointestinal conditions by reducing stomach acid production.