Which of the following is not an example of a narcotic?

Aspirin is not classified as a narcotic. Narcotics, also known as opioids, are medications primarily used to relieve pain and are derived from opium or synthesized to act similarly in the body. Morphine, codeine, and meperidine are all part of this category; they involve interaction with opioid receptors in the brain, producing effects such as pain relief, sedation, and euphoria.

Aspirin, on the other hand, is a non-narcotic analgesic that belongs to a class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by inhibiting enzymes involved in the production of prostaglandins, which are substances in the body responsible for pain, inflammation, and fever. While aspirin is effective for pain relief, it does so through a different mechanism compared to narcotics and does not have the same potential for addiction or abuse that narcotics carry. Thus, identifying aspirin as not being a narcotic is accurate, as it does not meet the criteria or function associated with narcotics.