What term describes a drug that causes temporary loss of bodily sensations?

The term "anesthetic" refers to a drug that induces temporary loss of sensation or awareness, often used during surgical procedures to prevent pain. Anesthetics work by blocking nerve signals in the body, which can lead to a complete loss of sensation or induce a state where the patient is not aware of their surroundings, allowing for pain-free surgery or medical interventions. This specific function of causing a loss of bodily sensations distinctly categorizes anesthetics apart from other types of drugs, such as antibiotics, which are used to fight bacterial infections, and analgesics, which relieve pain without necessarily causing loss of sensation. The choice "persistive" does not relate to any medical terminology related to sensory loss or pain management. Thus, “anesthetic” is the most accurate term for the described effect.