Q.(a) Identify an analgesic from the following :

Aspirin is the analgesic among the given drugs; antiseptics are applied to living tissue to curb microbial growth non-selectively, while antibiotics are taken internally and act with high selectivity on specific microbial targets at very low concentration.

(a) Identifying the analgesic

• Equanil: a tranquilizer (used to relieve anxiety/stress).
• Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid): a well-known analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic.
• Serotonin: a naturally occurring neurotransmitter, not a drug used as medicine per se.
• Cimetidine: an antacid (H2-receptor blocker) used for peptic ulcers. Answer: (b) Aspirin.

(b) Antiseptics vs Antibiotics

• Antiseptics are chemical substances that either kill or prevent the growth of microorganisms; unlike disinfectants, they are safe enough to be applied to living tissues such as wounds, cuts, and mucous membranes, e.g. dettol (a mixture of chloroxylenol and terpineol), tincture of iodine, boric acid solution, hydrogen peroxide. They are generally non-selective in their action. …