Pharmacology
Drug Classifications & Suffixes Flashcards
33 drug-suffix-to-class mappings nursing and pharmacology exams expect you to know cold
33 cards~8 min
Every card is also written out below, so you can read the whole deck without flipping.
Study this topic another way
All 33 Pharmacology Drug Classifications & Suffixes flashcards
The full deck in writing, listed A to Z. Read it through if the topic is new, then use the cards above to test yourself without looking.
- ACE Inhibitors (-pril)
- Drugs ending in -pril that block angiotensin-converting enzyme, preventing angiotensin I from becoming angiotensin II and lowering blood pressure while sparing potassium excretion.For example: Lisinopril and captopril are ACE inhibitors known for causing a persistent dry cough.
- Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (-sartan)
- 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.For example: Losartan and valsartan are ARBs often substituted when a patient cannot tolerate an ACE inhibitor.
- Drugs ending in -vir that interfere with viral replication, most often by blocking a viral enzyme needed to copy the virus's genetic material.For example: Acyclovir treats herpes simplex outbreaks by halting viral DNA synthesis inside infected cells.
- Atypical Antipsychotics (-apine / -idone)
- 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.For example: Olanzapine and quetiapine are atypical antipsychotics that require monitoring for weight gain and metabolic changes.
- Azole Antifungals (-conazole)
- Drugs ending in -conazole that inhibit fungal cell membrane synthesis by blocking the enzyme needed to make ergosterol, weakening the fungal cell membrane.For example: Fluconazole and itraconazole are azole antifungals used for candidiasis and systemic fungal infections.
- Barbiturates (-barbital)
- 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.For example: Phenobarbital is still used for neonatal seizures despite newer anticonvulsants replacing it elsewhere.
- Benzodiazepines (-azepam / -azolam)
- Drugs ending in -azepam or -azolam that enhance GABA's inhibitory effect at the GABA-A receptor, producing sedation, anxiety relief, and anticonvulsant activity.For example: Diazepam and alprazolam are benzodiazepines used for anxiety, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal.
- Beta Blockers (-olol)
- Drugs ending in -olol that block beta-adrenergic receptors, slowing heart rate and reducing contractility; used to treat hypertension, angina, arrhythmias, and heart failure.For example: Metoprolol and propranolol are first-line beta blockers prescribed after a myocardial infarction.
- Beta-2 Agonist Bronchodilators (-terol)
- Drugs ending in -terol that stimulate beta-2 adrenergic receptors in airway smooth muscle, relaxing the bronchi and relieving bronchospasm in asthma and COPD.For example: Albuterol is a short-acting rescue inhaler, while salmeterol is a long-acting maintenance bronchodilator.
- Bisphosphonates (-dronate)
- Drugs ending in -dronate that bind bone mineral and inhibit osteoclast activity, slowing bone resorption to treat osteoporosis and reduce fracture risk.For example: Alendronate must be taken with a full glass of water while sitting upright for thirty minutes.
- Corticosteroids (-sone / -solone)
- 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.For example: Prednisone and prednisolone are oral corticosteroids tapered gradually rather than stopped abruptly.
- Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blockers (-dipine)
- 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.For example: Amlodipine and nifedipine are dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers commonly used for hypertension.
- DPP-4 Inhibitors (-gliptin)
- Drugs ending in -gliptin that block the DPP-4 enzyme, prolonging incretin hormone activity to increase insulin release and lower blood glucose after meals.For example: Sitagliptin is taken once daily and carries a low risk of hypoglycemia on its own.
- Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics (-oxacin)
- Drugs ending in -oxacin that inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, blocking DNA replication, and that carry a boxed warning for tendon rupture.For example: Ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin are fluoroquinolones used for urinary and respiratory infections.
- H2 Receptor Antagonists (-tidine)
- Drugs ending in -tidine that block histamine H2 receptors on gastric parietal cells, reducing stomach acid secretion less completely than proton pump inhibitors.For example: Famotidine is an H2 blocker often used for mild reflux or before a meal that triggers heartburn.
- 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.For example: Ritonavir is frequently combined with other protease inhibitors to boost their blood levels.
- Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists (-lukast)
- Drugs ending in -lukast that block leukotriene receptors in the airway, reducing bronchoconstriction and inflammation associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis.For example: Montelukast is taken in the evening as a daily controller for asthma, not a rescue inhaler.
- Local Anesthetics (-caine)
- Drugs ending in -caine that block sodium channels in nerve membranes, preventing action potential conduction and numbing sensation in the treated area.For example: Lidocaine is injected before minor procedures and also used topically for pain relief.
- Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins (-parin)
- Drugs ending in -parin that enhance antithrombin's inhibition of factor Xa, preventing clot formation with more predictable dosing than unfractionated heparin.For example: Enoxaparin is given subcutaneously for DVT prophylaxis without routine coagulation monitoring.
- Macrolide Antibiotics (-thromycin)
- Drugs ending in -thromycin that bind the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit to block protein synthesis, commonly prescribed for penicillin-allergic patients with respiratory infections.For example: Azithromycin and clarithromycin are macrolides often used for atypical pneumonia.
- Monoclonal Antibodies (-mab)
- Drugs ending in -mab that are lab-engineered antibodies targeting a single specific antigen, used to treat cancers, autoimmune disease, and some infections.For example: Rituximab and infliximab are monoclonal antibodies given by infusion for lymphoma and inflammatory bowel disease.
- Opioid Analgesics (-codone)
- 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.For example: Oxycodone and hydrocodone are prescription opioids frequently combined with acetaminophen for pain.
- Penicillin Antibiotics (-cillin)
- Drugs ending in -cillin that inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding penicillin-binding proteins, weakening the cell wall until the bacterium lyses.For example: Amoxicillin and ampicillin are penicillins frequently used for respiratory and ear infections.
- Platinum-Based Chemotherapy (-platin)
- Drugs ending in -platin that cross-link DNA strands to prevent replication, causing cancer cell death, and that carry significant kidney toxicity risk.For example: Cisplatin requires aggressive intravenous hydration to protect the kidneys during treatment.
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (-prazole)
- 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.For example: Omeprazole and esomeprazole are proton pump inhibitors taken before breakfast for reflux.
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (-oxetine)
- Drugs ending in -oxetine that block serotonin reuptake at the presynaptic neuron, increasing serotonin availability in the synapse to treat depression and anxiety disorders.For example: Fluoxetine has a long half-life among SSRIs, which lowers the risk of discontinuation symptoms.
- SGLT2 Inhibitors (-gliflozin)
- Drugs ending in -gliflozin that block glucose reabsorption in the kidney's proximal tubule, lowering blood glucose by increasing glucose excretion in urine.For example: Empagliflozin also reduces cardiovascular and kidney risk in patients with type 2 diabetes.
- Statins (-statin)
- Drugs ending in -statin that inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis, lowering LDL cholesterol and reducing cardiovascular risk.For example: Atorvastatin and simvastatin are statins typically dosed at night when cholesterol synthesis peaks.
- Tetracycline Antibiotics (-cycline)
- 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.For example: Doxycycline and minocycline are tetracyclines taken with a full glass of water while upright.
- Thiazolidinediones (-glitazone)
- 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.For example: Pioglitazone can cause fluid retention, so it is avoided in patients with heart failure.
- Tricyclic Antidepressants (-triptyline)
- Drugs ending in -triptyline that block reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine, treating depression and chronic pain but carrying significant anticholinergic side effects.For example: Amitriptyline is often prescribed at low doses for chronic pain or migraine prevention rather than depression.
- Triptans (-triptan)
- 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.For example: Sumatriptan is taken at the first sign of a migraine, not used as a daily preventive.
- Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (-nib)
- Drugs ending in -nib that block tyrosine kinase enzymes driving abnormal cell growth signals, used as targeted oral chemotherapy in specific cancers.For example: Imatinib targets the BCR-ABL fusion protein that drives chronic myeloid leukemia.