Which of the following drugs is NOT considered a narcotic?

Narcotics, also known as opioids, are a class of drugs that are typically used to treat pain by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and body. Morphine and Dilaudid (hydromorphone) are both strong opioids that are commonly prescribed for managing moderate to severe pain. Tylenol 3 contains codeine, which is another opioid, combined with acetaminophen, and is used for treating mild to moderate pain.

Ibuprofen, on the other hand, is classified as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by inhibiting enzymes in the body (COX-1 and COX-2) that are involved in the inflammatory process, thereby reducing pain, fever, and inflammation. Unlike narcotics, ibuprofen does not bind to opioid receptors and is not used as an opioid analgesic. This distinction makes ibuprofen the correct choice as the drug that is NOT considered a narcotic.