Pharmacology: Drug Classifications & Suffixes Flashcards

Question 1

Define Beta Blockers (-olol).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -olol that block beta-adrenergic receptors, slowing heart rate and reducing contractility; used to treat hypertension, angina, arrhythmias, and heart failure.

Question 2

Define ACE Inhibitors (-pril).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -pril that block angiotensin-converting enzyme, preventing angiotensin I from becoming angiotensin II and lowering blood pressure while sparing potassium excretion.

Question 3

Define Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (-sartan).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -sartan that block angiotensin II from binding its receptor, relaxing blood vessels and lowering blood pressure without the dry cough ACE inhibitors cause.

Question 4

Define Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blockers (-dipine).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -dipine that block calcium entry into vascular smooth muscle, causing arterial vasodilation and lowering blood pressure with minimal direct effect on heart rate.

Question 5

Define Statins (-statin).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -statin that inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis, lowering LDL cholesterol and reducing cardiovascular risk.

Question 6

Define Penicillin Antibiotics (-cillin).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -cillin that inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding penicillin-binding proteins, weakening the cell wall until the bacterium lyses.

Question 7

Define Tetracycline Antibiotics (-cycline).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -cycline that inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by binding the 30S ribosomal subunit, and that can discolor developing teeth if given to children or pregnant patients.

Question 8

Define Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics (-oxacin).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -oxacin that inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, blocking DNA replication, and that carry a boxed warning for tendon rupture.

Question 9

Define Macrolide Antibiotics (-thromycin).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -thromycin that bind the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit to block protein synthesis, commonly prescribed for penicillin-allergic patients with respiratory infections.

Question 10

Define Proton Pump Inhibitors (-prazole).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -prazole that irreversibly block the H+/K+ ATPase pump in gastric parietal cells, suppressing stomach acid production more completely than H2 blockers.

Question 11

Define Azole Antifungals (-conazole).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -conazole that inhibit fungal cell membrane synthesis by blocking the enzyme needed to make ergosterol, weakening the fungal cell membrane.

Question 12

Define Monoclonal Antibodies (-mab).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -mab that are lab-engineered antibodies targeting a single specific antigen, used to treat cancers, autoimmune disease, and some infections.

Question 13

Define Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (-nib).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -nib that block tyrosine kinase enzymes driving abnormal cell growth signals, used as targeted oral chemotherapy in specific cancers.

Question 14

Define Triptans (-triptan).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -triptan that act as serotonin 5-HT1 receptor agonists, constricting dilated cranial blood vessels and blocking pain signal transmission during a migraine attack.

Question 15

Define H2 Receptor Antagonists (-tidine).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -tidine that block histamine H2 receptors on gastric parietal cells, reducing stomach acid secretion less completely than proton pump inhibitors.

Question 16

Define Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins (-parin).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -parin that enhance antithrombin's inhibition of factor Xa, preventing clot formation with more predictable dosing than unfractionated heparin.

Question 17

Define Platinum-Based Chemotherapy (-platin).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -platin that cross-link DNA strands to prevent replication, causing cancer cell death, and that carry significant kidney toxicity risk.

Question 18

Define Antivirals (-vir).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -vir that interfere with viral replication, most often by blocking a viral enzyme needed to copy the virus's genetic material.

Question 19

Define HIV Protease Inhibitors (-navir).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -navir that block HIV protease, preventing immature viral proteins from being cleaved into the functional pieces needed to assemble new infectious virus particles.

Question 20

Define Benzodiazepines (-azepam / -azolam).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -azepam or -azolam that enhance GABA's inhibitory effect at the GABA-A receptor, producing sedation, anxiety relief, and anticonvulsant activity.

Question 21

Define Local Anesthetics (-caine).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -caine that block sodium channels in nerve membranes, preventing action potential conduction and numbing sensation in the treated area.

Question 22

Define Opioid Analgesics (-codone).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -codone that bind mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system, blocking pain signals and producing analgesia along with sedation and respiratory depression risk.

Question 23

Define Bisphosphonates (-dronate).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -dronate that bind bone mineral and inhibit osteoclast activity, slowing bone resorption to treat osteoporosis and reduce fracture risk.

Question 24

Define Corticosteroids (-sone / -solone).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -sone or -solone that bind glucocorticoid receptors to suppress inflammation and immune activity, widely used for autoimmune flares and severe allergic reactions.

Question 25

Define Thiazolidinediones (-glitazone).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -glitazone that activate PPAR-gamma receptors to improve insulin sensitivity in fat and muscle tissue, lowering blood glucose in type 2 diabetes.

Question 26

Define DPP-4 Inhibitors (-gliptin).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -gliptin that block the DPP-4 enzyme, prolonging incretin hormone activity to increase insulin release and lower blood glucose after meals.

Question 27

Define SGLT2 Inhibitors (-gliflozin).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -gliflozin that block glucose reabsorption in the kidney's proximal tubule, lowering blood glucose by increasing glucose excretion in urine.

Question 28

Define Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists (-lukast).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -lukast that block leukotriene receptors in the airway, reducing bronchoconstriction and inflammation associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Question 29

Define Beta-2 Agonist Bronchodilators (-terol).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -terol that stimulate beta-2 adrenergic receptors in airway smooth muscle, relaxing the bronchi and relieving bronchospasm in asthma and COPD.

Question 30

Define Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (-oxetine).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -oxetine that block serotonin reuptake at the presynaptic neuron, increasing serotonin availability in the synapse to treat depression and anxiety disorders.

Question 31

Define Tricyclic Antidepressants (-triptyline).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -triptyline that block reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine, treating depression and chronic pain but carrying significant anticholinergic side effects.

Question 32

Define Atypical Antipsychotics (-apine / -idone).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -apine or -idone that block dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, treating psychosis with a lower risk of movement side effects than older antipsychotics.

Question 33

Define Barbiturates (-barbital).

Accepted Answer

Drugs ending in -barbital that enhance GABA-A receptor activity to depress the central nervous system, used historically for seizures and sedation but now largely replaced by benzodiazepines.