Which therapeutic drugs are used to treat inflammation?

• A. Steroids only
• B. NSAIDs only
• C. Antibiotics
• D. BOTH Steroids and NSAIDS

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that inflammation can be treated by drug classes that target different parts of the inflammatory process. Steroids (glucocorticoids) are very powerful anti-inflammatories because they blunt the immune response across multiple pathways, reducing cytokine production, leukocyte activity, and vascular leakage. This makes them effective for a wide range of inflammatory conditions, though they carry systemic side effects and are used carefully.

NSAIDs work differently: they block the COX enzymes that produce prostaglandins, which are mediators that drive inflammation, pain, and fever. By lowering prostaglandin levels, NSAIDs reduce swelling and discomfort and are commonly used for milder to moderate inflammation and pain.

Antibiotics, on the other hand, target bacteria and don’t directly reduce inflammation, even though clearing an infection can lessen inflammation caused by that infection.

Because both steroids and NSAIDs address inflammation through distinct mechanisms, they are both used to treat inflammatory conditions, making the combined option the best answer.