Generic Drug suffixesRecognizing Generic Drug Names by Suffix
Why learn generic drug suffixes? Memorizing the top 200 drug names is one of the most challenging parts of studying for the PTCB of ExCPT exams. One thing to consider and embrace is that there is some lingo in pharmacy. In generic names, there are several suffixes that will help you to remember what the medication does. In this case, the suffixes are a group of letters added to the end of a words root which help better describe it's function. The chart below lists some of the suffixes you will see when studying the top 200 drugs.
Generic Drug Suffix Chart
| Suffix |
Drug Class |
|
| STATIN |
CHOLESTEROL
(HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitor)
|
| RAZOLE |
PROTON PUMP
INHIBITOR
|
| ARTAN |
A2RB
(Angiotensin 2 receptor blocker)
|
|
| PAM |
BENZODIAZEPINES
(BENZOS)
|
|
| OLOL |
BETA BLOCKER
|
|
| PRIL
|
ACE INHIBITOR
(Angiotensin Converting Enzyme)
|
|
| AZOSIN |
ALPHA BLOCKER
|
|
| ITIDINE |
H2 ANTAGONIST
|
|
| CILLIN |
PENICILLIN
ANTI-BIOTICS
|
|
| FLOXACIN |
FLUOROQUINOLONE
ANTIBIOTICS
|
|
| CYCLINE |
TETRACYCLINE
ANTIBIOTICS
|
| ROMYCIN |
MACROLIDE
ANTIBIOTICS
|
| LAX |
LAXATIVE
|
| VIR |
ANTI-VIRAL
|
|
