Which of the following is a commonly prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug?

Ibuprofen is a widely recognized non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and decrease fever. It works by inhibiting enzymes in the body known as cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2), which play a critical role in the synthesis of prostaglandins—chemicals that promote inflammation, pain, and fever. Due to its efficacy in treating various conditions such as headaches, muscle aches, arthritis, and menstrual cramps, ibuprofen is a popular choice among healthcare professionals.

In contrast, other options listed serve different medical purposes. Flomax is primarily used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by relaxing prostate and bladder neck muscles. Celebrex, while also an NSAID, is a brand name for celecoxib, which is a selective COX-2 inhibitor. It is prescribed for conditions like arthritis but differs from ibuprofen in its usage and side effect profile. Dapsone is an antibiotic often used to treat leprosy and dermatitis herpetiformis, again, categorically different from NSAIDs in action and application. Thus, ibuprofen stands out as the most common and recognized NSAID in typical prescribing practices.