Drug Suffixes and Mechanisms

Cards · 50

-pril

ACE inhibitors. Inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme to reduce blood pressure and fluid retention; used for hypertension and heart failure.

-sartan

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs). Block AT1 receptors to cause vasodilation; used for hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, and heart failure.

-olol

Beta-blockers. Block adrenergic beta receptors to decrease heart rate and cardiac output; used for hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias.

-dipine

Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers. Inhibit L-type calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle, causing vasodilation; used for hypertension and angina.

-statin

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Inhibit the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis; used to lower LDL cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk.

-thiazide

Thiazide diuretics. Inhibit Na+/Cl- cotransporters in the distal convoluted tubule to promote diuresis; used for hypertension and edema.

-semide

Loop diuretics. Inhibit Na-K-2Cl cotransporter in the thick ascending limb of Henle; used for severe edema, heart failure, and renal impairment.

-prazole

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Irreversibly inhibit H+/K+ ATPase pumps in gastric parietal cells; used for GERD, peptic ulcers, and acid reflux.

-tidine

H2 receptor antagonists. Block histamine H2 receptors on gastric parietal cells to decrease acid secretion; used for heartburn and gastric ulcers.

-cillin

Penicillin antibiotics. Inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding penicillin-binding proteins; used for various bacterial infections.

-cef or -ceph

Cephalosporin antibiotics. Disrupt bacterial peptidoglycan cell wall synthesis; used for skin, respiratory, urinary, and surgical infections.

-floxacin

Fluoroquinolones. Inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV to stop DNA replication; used for complicated UTIs and pneumonia.

-thromycin

Macrolide antibiotics. Bind to the 50S ribosomal subunit to inhibit bacterial protein synthesis; used for respiratory and atypical infections.

-cycline

Tetracycline antibiotics. Bind to the 30S ribosomal subunit to inhibit bacterial protein synthesis; used for acne, Lyme disease, and chlamydia.

-micin or -mycin

Aminoglycoside antibiotics. Bind to 30S ribosomal subunit to cause mRNA misreading; used for severe Gram-negative aerobic infections.

-penem

Carbapenem antibiotics. Inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis with broad-spectrum beta-lactamase resistance; used for severe multidrug-resistant infections.

-conazole

Azole antifungals. Inhibit fungal ergosterol synthesis by blocking cytochrome P450 lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase; used for fungal infections.

-fungin

Echinocandin antifungals. Inhibit (1,3)-beta-D-glucan synthesis in fungal cell walls; used for invasive candidiasis and aspergillosis.

-vir (general)

Antiviral agents. Disrupt viral replication or entry mechanisms; used to treat viral illnesses like influenza, herpes, hepatitis, and HIV.

-cyclovir

Guanosine analog antivirals. Selectively inhibit viral DNA polymerase; used for Herpes simplex and Varicella-zoster infections.

-navir

HIV protease inhibitors. Inhibit viral protease to prevent cleavage of polyproteins and viral maturation; used to manage HIV infection.

-gravir

Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs). Prevent viral DNA integration into host DNA; used as first-line antiretroviral therapy for HIV.

-terol

Beta-2 adrenergic agonists. Relax bronchial smooth muscle to cause bronchodilation; used for asthma and COPD bronchospasm relief.

-tropium

Inhaled anticholinergics. Block muscarinic acetylcholine receptors to induce bronchodilation; used for COPD and asthma maintenance.

-lukast

Leukotriene receptor antagonists. Block leukotriene D4 receptors to decrease inflammation and bronchoconstriction; used for asthma and allergic rhinitis.

-asone, -olone, or -onide

Corticosteroids. Suppress multiple inflammatory cytokines and cellular immune responses; used for asthma, autoimmune diseases, and inflammation.

-pam or -lam

Benzodiazepines. Enhance GABA inhibitory action at GABA-A receptors; used for acute anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and sedation.

-pram or -ine (SSRIs)

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Block serotonin reuptake transporters in synaptic clefts; used for major depression and anxiety disorders.

-triptyline

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake; used for depression, neuropathic pain, and migraine prevention.

-triptan

5-HT1B/1D serotonin receptor agonists. Constrict cranial vessels and inhibit trigeminal nerve neuropeptide release; used for acute migraine attacks.

-setron

5-HT3 receptor antagonists. Block serotonin receptors vagally and in the chemoreceptor trigger zone; used for chemotherapy- and post-op nausea and vomiting.

-gliptin

DPP-4 inhibitors. Prevent incretin hormone degradation to enhance glucose-dependent insulin release; used for type 2 diabetes.

-glutide

GLP-1 receptor agonists. Mimic incretin to increase insulin secretion, slow gastric emptying, and suppress glucagon; used for type 2 diabetes and obesity.

-gliflozin

SGLT2 inhibitors. Inhibit sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 in renal tubules to increase urinary glucose excretion; used for diabetes and heart failure.

-glitazone

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs). Activate PPAR-gamma receptors to increase peripheral insulin sensitivity; used to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus.

-parin

Low-molecular-weight heparins (anticoagulants). Potentiate antithrombin III to inhibit factor Xa and thrombin; used for DVT/PE prevention and treatment.

-xaban

Direct factor Xa inhibitors (DOACs). Directly bind and inhibit factor Xa in the coagulation cascade; used for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and DVT.

-gatran

Direct thrombin inhibitors. Directly inhibit free and clot-bound thrombin (factor IIa); used for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and DVT/PE.

-afil

PDE5 inhibitors. Prevent cGMP degradation to prolong nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation; used for erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

-zosin

Alpha-1 adrenergic blockers. Inhibit alpha-1 receptors on vascular and prostatic smooth muscle; used for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and hypertension.

-steride

5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT); used for BPH and male pattern baldness.

-dronate

Bisphosphonates. Inhibit osteoclast-mediated bone resorption; used for osteoporosis and Paget's disease of the bone.

-coxib

COX-2 selective inhibitors. Inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 to reduce prostaglandin synthesis without sparing gastric COX-1; used for osteoarthritis and pain.

-tinib

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Inhibit specific mutant kinases that promote cancer cell signaling and growth; used for targeted oncology therapies.

-mab

Monoclonal antibodies. Target specific extracellular receptors, ligands, or cells; used for cancers, autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammatory conditions.

-caine

Local anesthetics. Block voltage-gated sodium channels to inhibit nerve conduction of pain signals; used for local and regional anesthesia.

-curium or -curonium

Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers. Antagonize nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction; used for muscle paralysis during surgery.

-vaptan

Vasopressin receptor antagonists. Block V2 receptors in renal collecting ducts to promote aquaresis; used for hypervolemic and euvolemic hyponatremia.

-sentan

Endothelin receptor antagonists. Block endothelin receptors to induce pulmonary vasodilation; used for pulmonary arterial hypertension.

-mustine

Nitrosourea alkylating agents. Cross-link DNA strands to prevent cancer cell replication; highly lipophilic, used for brain tumors and lymphomas.