What are antipyretics primarily used for?

Antipyretics are specifically designed to lower fever, making their primary use to reduce elevated body temperature caused by various conditions, such as infections or inflammatory processes. Medications within this category, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, work on the hypothalamus in the brain, which regulates body temperature. By affecting this regulatory mechanism, antipyretics help alleviate febrile responses, providing comfort to individuals experiencing fever.

The other options pertain to different areas of treatment. For instance, reducing inflammation is a primary function of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), while treating allergic reactions typically involves antihistamines or corticosteroids. Preventing infections is achieved through the use of antibiotics or vaccines, not through antipyretics. Thus, the targeted action of antipyretics on fever distinctly identifies them from these other classes of medications.