Common Drug Suffixes and ways to remember

Question 1

Ace Inhibitors

Answer 1

Treat hypertension via inhibition of angiotensin production in RAS.

Suffix - pril

Question 2

Aldosterone Antagonist

Answer 2

Treat hypertension by blocking the mineral corticoid receptor aldosterone binding site.

These are potassium sparing drugs.

Elperenone (inspra)
Spironolactone (Adactone)

Question 3

Alpha-1 Adrenergic Blockers

Answer 3

Block post synaptic Alpha-1 Receptors, resulting in venous and arteriole vasodilation.

Treats hypertension, PTSD, anxiety, Raynouds disease and Benign Prostate Hypertrophy.

Suffix - Zosin

Question 4

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers

Answer 4

Treat hypertension, block angiotensin II receptors in RAS.

Suffix - Sartan

Question 5

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers

Answer 5

Treat hypertension, block angiotensin II receptors in RAS.

Suffix - Sartan

Question 6

Antibiotics

Answer 6

Kill bacteria via cell wall inhibition/integreity or cell membrane inhibition/integrity.

-Cillin, -Cycline, -Floxacin, -Mycin, -Sporin

Question 7

Anticonvulsants

Answer 7

Treat seizures, sometimes anxiety. Includes benzos.

-Pam, along with many others.

Question 8

Antidepressants

Answer 8

Treats depression, includes…

• SSRIs
• Tricyclics
• MAOI’s (sometimes, not super common anymore)

Question 9

Anticoagulants/Antiplatelets

Answer 9

Inhibits clot formation, often used in A-Fib, DVT/PE, post surgery.

Question 10

Anti-psychotics/Mood Stabilizers

Answer 10

Treat schizophrenia, bipolar, mania, psychosis

Question 11

Benzodiazepines

Answer 11

Anxiety, insomnia, seizures/epilepsy, sedation

Question 12

Beta blockers

Answer 12

Blocks beta 1 receptors, treats hypertension, migraine prevention, anxiety, and can prevent cardiac arrhythmias.

Common suffix - lol

Question 13

Calcium channel blockers

Answer 13

Block slow inward calcium dependent current, which slows/inhibits sinus pacemaker and AV conduction. Lowers BP, negative inotropic effect is produced on the heart.

-ipine

Diltiazem

Verapamil

Question 14

Diuretics

Answer 14

Treat CHF, generalized edema and hypertension, glaucoma.

Potassium sparing, non potassium sparing Loop diuretics, carbonic anhyrase inhibitors, thiazides.

-ide

Question 15

Diabetic agents

Answer 15

Anti-

Reduce BGL by various mechanisms, including:

• Increasing pancreatic insulin production
• decreasing hepatic glucose production
• increasing bodys sensitivity to insulin
• decreasing carbohydrate digestion rate and gastric emptying times

Question 16

Erectile Dysfunction

Answer 16

Enhances levels of NO which results in smooth muscle relaxation via blockade of PDE5.

-afil

Question 17

Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)

Answer 17

Inhibit synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes (swelling and clot formation)

Question 18

Opiates

Answer 18

Narcotic pain relievers that bind to receptors in the nervous system.

Question 19

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Answer 19

PPI

Binds to the H+ K+ ATPase enzyme in the parietal cells of the stomach.

-Prazole

Question 20

Statins

Answer 20

Reduce biosynthesis of cholesterol

-Statin