To which class of drugs do medications that reduce the ability of viruses to replicate belong?

Medications that reduce the ability of viruses to replicate are categorized as antiviral drugs. These drugs specifically target the mechanisms by which viruses infect host cells and reproduce, effectively helping to manage viral infections. They work by inhibiting various stages of the viral life cycle, such as attachment to cells, penetration, uncoating, replication, and release of new virions.

This class of drugs is distinct from antibacterials, which are designed to combat bacterial infections, and from analgesics, which are used to relieve pain but do not have any antiviral properties. Antiseptics are agents that prevent infection by killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms on surfaces, typically used in cleaning and disinfecting. Antivirals, on the other hand, are specifically formulated to interfere with viral replication, making them the correct choice for this question.