Which of the following is an example of an opioid used for moderate to severe pain?

• A. Codeine
• B. Penicillin
• C. Ibuprofen
• D. Acetaminophen

Answer: (A)

Opioids relieve pain by activating mu receptors in the brain and spinal cord, which dampens the transmission of pain signals. Codeine is an opioid, and it’s commonly used to treat moderate pain (often in combination with acetaminophen or an NSAID to boost effect). The other substances aren’t opioids: penicillin is an antibiotic, ibuprofen is an NSAID that reduces inflammation and pain, and acetaminophen is a non-opioid analgesic. So, among the options, codeine is the opioid option used for moderate to (often) more robust pain relief. In practice, stronger opioids are reserved for more severe pain, but codeine fits the category of an opioid used for moderate pain, especially in combination products.