Which type of medication is an analgesic?

An analgesic is specifically defined as a type of medication that is used to relieve pain. When considering the choices, a pain reliever is the primary function of an analgesic, making it the correct answer. Analgesics work by blocking pain signals from reaching the brain or by interfering with the perception of pain, thus providing relief for various types of discomfort.

While antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, anti-inflammatory medications reduce inflammation and swelling, and antiseptics are used to prevent infection by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, none of these options focus on pain relief specifically. Therefore, the identification of pain reliever as the role of an analgesic accurately captures its purpose in medical treatment.