Drug Prefixes and Suffixes Study Notes

Drug Prefixes and Suffixes Study Notes

• -pril: Classifies as an ACE inhibitor; commonly used to treat hypertension and heart failure by relaxing blood vessels.

• -olol: Indicates a beta blocker; used primarily to manage cardiac conditions like hypertension and arrhythmias by blocking adrenaline effects.

• -sartan: Represents Angiotensin II receptor blockers (A2RB); effective in lowering blood pressure and protecting kidney function in diabetic patients.

• -statin: Associated with cholesterol-lowering drugs; commonly prescribed for hyperlipidemia to reduce cardiovascular risk.

• pred-: Denotes steroids; utilized for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects in various medical conditions.

• -asone: Another steroid identifier; similarly employed in treating inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.

• -olone: Indicates steroids; often used in the management of various conditions including asthma and skin disorders.

• -thiazide: Signifies thiazide diuretics; effective in management of hypertension and edema by promoting urine production.

• -gliptin: Refers to a class of anti-diabetic medications; aids in glycemic control for type 2 diabetes by increasing insulin release.

• -zepam: Marks benzodiazepines; prescribed for anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures due to their calming effects on the CNS.

• -zolam: Another benzodiazepine suffix; used similarly for anxiety disorders and panic attacks.

• -zodone: Characteristic of anti-depressants; often targets serotonin receptors to alleviate symptoms of depression.

• -nazole: Signifies antifungal medications; used in treating a variety of fungal infections by inhibiting fungal cell membrane synthesis.

• ceph-: Indicates cephalosporin antibiotics; a broad class used to treat diverse bacterial infections by disrupting cell wall synthesis.

• -cillin: Denotes penicillin antibiotics; effective against a wide range of bacterial infections, particularly gram-positive bacteria.

• -cycline: Refers to tetracycline antibiotics; used to treat various infections and conditions like acne due to their broad-spectrum activity.

• -mycin: Represents macrolide antibiotics; effective against respiratory infections and skin infections by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis.

• -floxacin: Characteristic of fluoroquinolone antibiotics; broad-spectrum agents used for treating various bacterial infections.

• -vir: Indicates antiviral medications; utilized for managing viral infections such as HIV, herpes, and influenza.

• -eprazole: Signifies proton pump inhibitors (PPIs); used for reducing stomach acid to treat conditions like GERD and peptic ulcers.

• -oprazole: Another form of proton pump inhibitor; similarly functions to reduce gastric acid production.

• -tidine: Identifies H2 antagonists; used to decrease stomach acid production and treat conditions like ulcers and heartburn.

• -dipine: Refers to calcium channel blockers; effective in lowering blood pressure and treating angina by relaxing heart and blood vessel muscles.