Which type of medication is used to reduce fever and is often an analgesic?

The term "antipyretic" specifically refers to a category of medication that is effective in reducing fever. These medications work by acting on the hypothalamus in the brain, which regulates body temperature, effectively lowering a raised body temperature back to normal levels. Common examples of antipyretic medications include acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

Additionally, antipyretics often possess analgesic properties, meaning they can also relieve mild to moderate pain. This dual action makes them especially practical for treating conditions where both fever and pain are present, such as during a common cold or flu.

In contrast, the other options represent different classes of medications that do not serve the same purpose. Antithyroid medications are used to manage hyperthyroidism, antineoplastic medications are utilized in cancer treatment to inhibit the growth of neoplasms, and antimanic medications are primarily prescribed for the treatment of manic episodes in bipolar disorder. Hence, the focus of the question aligns perfectly with the role of antipyretics in medical treatment.