NRSG 332 1

Drug Names Categorized by Class, Sub-class, Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes

1. Focus on first three columns, understanding and memorizing which prefix/root/suffix is associated with what drug class and/or sub-class (e.g., cole- or
chole- is antilipidemic agent, -cycline is antibiotic, -lone or -olone is steroids or anti-inflammatory drugs).
2. The third column lists the drug examples to help you make the link between the prefix/suffix/root and the drug class/sub-class.
3. There will be 47 to 50 questions on drug name exam, primarily multiple choices, 2 or 3 matching questions:

Example:

Temazepam

A. antihistamine
B. antibiotics
C. antiemetic
D. Benzodiazepine

1. First, you need find prefix/suffix/root in the drug name provided, it is pam.
2. You remember pamis the suffix for Benzodiazepine
3. You pick D

PREFIX,
ROOT,
SUFFIX
CLASS or USE SUB-CLASS by MOA
(Mechanism of Action)
EXAMPLES
(Generic And Brand Names)
NOTES
-actone Diuretics Potassium-sparing diuretics aldactone, spironolactone
-afil Drugs to treat erectile
dysfunction (impotence)
phosphodiesterase (PDE)
inhibitor
sildenafil; tadalafil; vardenafil
-ane General anesthetics cyclohexane, ethane, fluorane
-arin

Antithrombotic
Anticoagulant (blood thinner)
Enoxaparin (Lovenox); fondaparinux
(Arixtra); heparin; tinzaparin, warfarin
(Coumadin)

-ase Thrombolytics (clot-busters) eminase, retavase, streptokinase enzyme
-azole Antifungals butoconazole, econazole, fluconazole
-azosin
-osin
-zosin
Drugs to treat hypertension and
BPH (benign prostate
hypertrophy)
Alpha blockers (-adrenergic
receptor antagonists)
Alfuzosin, doxazosin, prazosin, terazosin
tamsulosin

-bicin antineoplastic doxorubicin; epirubicin; idarubicin;
valrubicin

-barbital Sedative-hypnotic drugs barbiturate butabarbital; butalbital; phenobarbital;
NRSG 332 2

secobarbital; amobarbital, pentobarbital,
-caine local anesthetic bupivacaine; lidocaine; mepivacaine;
prilocaine; proparacaine; cocaine; xylocaine

-capone Drug to treat Parkinsons
disease
COMT (catechol-O-methyl
transferase) inhibitors
Entacapone (Comtan)
Tolcapone (Tasmar)
Nitecapone

cef-, ceph- Antibacterial Subcategory of cell wall
synthesis inhibitors:
Cephalosporins
cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol), cephalexin
(Biocef, Keflex) Cefadroxil, cefaclor;
cefdinir (Ominicef); cefixime (Suprax);
cefprozil; ceftibuten; cephapirin; cephradine,
cefoxitin (Cefoxitin, Mefoxini),
cefuroxime (Ceftin, Kefurox, Zinacef),
Ceftriaxone (Rocephin),
Cefepime (Maxipime)

-calci- Suplementes Calcium & vitamin D calciferol, calcitrol, ergocalciferol Calcium
-ciclovir
-cyclovir
Antiviral drugs famciclovir, ganciclovir; acyclovir,
valacyclovir
virals

NRSG 332 3

PREFIX,
ROOT,
SUFFIX
CLASS or USE SUB-CLASS by MOA
(Mechanism of Action)
EXAMPLES
(Generic And Brand Names)
NOTES
-cillin Antibacterial drugs Subcategory of cell wall
synthesis inhibitors: Penicillins
Amoxicillin (Amoxil);
Amoxicillin/Clavulanate (Augmentin),
Ampicillin; dicloxacillin; nafcillin; oxacillin

-codone Analgesics Opioids oxycodone with acetaminophen (Endocet,
Percocet);
oxycodone with aspirin (Endodan,
Oxycodan, Percodan);
oxycodone (OxyContin),
hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin),
hydrocodone w/Tylenol (Vicodin)

Cole-
Chole-
Antilipidemic drugs Bile acid sequestrants (Resins) Cholestyramine (Questran);
Colesevelam (Welchol);
Colestipol (Colestid)

-cox- NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs)
COX2 (Cyclooxygenase)
inhibitor
Celecoxib (Celebrex)
-cort- Anti-inflammatory Drugs or
hormone replacement
corticosteroid clocortolone; fludrocortisone; hydrocortisone
-curium,
-curonium
Anaesthetic Neuromuscular blockers pancuronium, pipecuronium, rocuronium
-cycline Antibacterial drugs tetracycline antibiotic demeclocycline; doxycycline; minocycline;
tetracycline

-dine Anti-inflammatory Drugs Antihistamines Fexofenadine (Allegra)


-done Antidepressants Serotonin Antagonist and
Reuptake Inhibitors (SARIs)
Nefazodone (Serzone),
Trazadone (Desyrel): causing moderate and
severe drowsiness

-dopa Anti-Parkinson drugs Caridopa/Levodopa (Sinemet, Sinemet CR)
-dazole Anthelmintic;
Antibacterial
albendazole; mebendazole; metronidazole;
tinidazole

-dipine Anti-hypertensive drugs Calcium channel blocker Amlodipine (Norvasc); felodipine;
Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia); Nimodipine
(Nimotop); nisoldipine (Sular)
pamil: verapamil (Calan)
zem: diltiazem (Cardizem)

-ergot- Analgesics Ergotamines (anti-migraine) ergotamine, dihydroxyergotamine
-faxine Anti-depressants Serotonin-norepinephrine
reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
venlafaxine(Effexor), Desvenlafaxine
(Pristiq)
-xetine: Duloxetine
(Cymbalta)

NRSG 332 4

PREFIX,
ROOT,
SUFFIX
CLASS or USE SUB-CLASS by MOA
(Mechanism of Action)
EXAMPLES
(Generic And Brand Names)
NOTES
-fenac Anti-inflammatory Drugs NSAID (Nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs)
bromfenac; diclofenac; nepafenac
-fibr- Antilipidemic drugs

Fibric acid (Fibrates) Fenofibrate (Tricor) , Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
-floxacin Anti-Bacterial Drugs

Subcategory of DNA synthesis
inhibitors: Fluoroquinolone
ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin
(Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox);
ofloxacin (Floxin)

-gliptin Antidiabetic; DPP-4 inhibitor saxagliptin; sitagliptin (Januvia); vildagliptin
-glitazone Antidiabetic; Thiazolidinedione (TZD) Rosiglitazone (Avandia), Pioglitazone
(Actos); troglitazone (Rezulin)

-ine Stimulants amphetamine, caffeine, terbutaline,
theophylline
caffeine
-iramine
-mine
Anti-inflammatory Drugs antihistamine brompheniramine; chlorpheniramine;
pheniramine, scopolamine (L-hyoscine)

-lamide Anti-glaucoma drugs carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide; brinzolamide; dorzolamide;
methazolamide

-limus Immunosuppressant pimecrolimus; sirolimus; tacrolimus
-giline Drugs to treat Parkinsons
disease
Monoamine Oxidase B
Inhibitors (MAO-BIs)
lazabemide (Pakio, Tempium), rasagiline
(Azilect), selegiline (Deprenyl, Eldepryl,
Emsam)

-mine, -zine, -
zid
Antidepressants Monoamine Oxidase A
Inhibitors (MAO-AIs)
Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
Phenelzine (Nardil)
Isocarboxazid (Marplan)

-lol
-olol
Anti-hypertensive drugs,
cardio-protective drugs
Beta blockers (adrenergic
antagonists)
atenolol, propanolol, sodalol

-lone
-olone
-solone
Anti-inflammatory Drugs Corticosteroids methylprednisolone, prednisolone,
triamcinolone; fluocinolone;
fluorometholone; rimexolone; triamcinolone;
nandrolone; oxandrolone; oxymetholone

-luk leu- Anti-inflammatory Drugs Leukotriene inhibitor
Leukotriene modifier
Zafirlukast ( Accolate ), Montelukast (
Singulair),
Zileuton (Zyflo),

-mab Anti-inflammatory Drugs monoclonal antibody daclizumab; infliximab; omalizumab;
trastuzumab


NRSG 332 5

PREFIX,
ROOT,
SUFFIX
CLASS or USE SUB-CLASS by MOA
(Mechanism of Action)
EXAMPLES
(Generic And Brand Names)
NOTES
-morphone Analgesic Opioids hydromorphone (Dilaudid), oxymorphone
(Opana, Numorphan)

-mustine Antineoplastic drugs alkylating agent carmustine; estramustine; lomustine
-micin
-mycin
Antibacterial Protein synthesis inhibitors gentamicin(Gentacidin)
streptomycin, azithromycin(Zithromax);
clarithromycin (Biaxin); clindamycin
(cleocin); erythromycin, doxycycline
(vibramycin), tetracycline (Tetracon);
linezolid (Zyvox)

-mycin Antibacterial Cell wall synthesis inhibitors Vancomycin (Vancocin)
-nacin Anti-parkinsonian drugs antimuscarinic
(anticholinergic)
darifenacin; solifenacin
-navir Antiviral drugs Anti-HIV/AIDS agents amprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir
-nazole Antifungal drugs fluconazole; ketoconazole; miconazole;
terconazole

-nib Antineoplastic dasatinib; erlotinib; imatinib; sorafenib
-penem;
-apenem
Antibacterial Cell wall synthesis inhibitors-
Carbapenems
Ertapenem (Invanz)
-peridone
-idone
-apine
Atypical antipsychotics Serotonin-dopamine
antagonists
(5-HT2A receptor antagonists)
Paliperidone (Invega)
Risperidone (Risperdal Consta, M-Tabs)
Ziprasidone (Geodon)
Clozapine (Clozaril)
Olanzapine (Zyprexa, Zydis)
Quetiapine (Seroquel)
-prazole: Aripiprazole
(Abilify)

-pram Antidepressants Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Citalopram (Celexa),
Escitalopram (Lexapro),

-mine: Fluvoxamine
(Luvox),
-line: Sertraline (Zoloft)


-pramide Antiemetic Drugs Dopamine antagonists (treat
GERD)
metoclopramide ( Reglan)
-oxetine Antidepressants Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Fluoxetine (Prozac),
Paroxetine (Paxil),

-phine Analgesics Opioids morphine (Morphine Sulfate, Roxanol, MS
Contin)

NRSG 332 6

PREFIX,
ROOT,
SUFFIX
CLASS or USE SUB-CLASS by MOA
(Mechanism of Action)
EXAMPLES
(Generic And Brand Names)
NOTES
-phylline Bronchodilator xanthine derivative aminophylline; dyphylline; oxtriphylline;
theophylline

-pramine Antidepressants tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) clomipramine; desipramine; imipramine;
trimipramine
zaprine: Cyclobenzaprine
(Flexaril)
-prazole Anti-acid drugs proton pump inhibitor (PPI) Dexlansoprazole (Kapidex, Dexilant);
Lansoprazole (Prevacid) , Omeprazole
(Prilosec), Esomeprazole (Nexium),
Pantoprazole (Protonix), Rabeprazole
(Aciphex)

-pred-pred- Anti-inflammatory drugs corticosteroid loteprednol; prednicarbate; prednisolone;
prednisone

-pril Antihypertensive drugs ACE inhibitor benazepril; captopril; enalapril (Vasotech);
lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril); moexipril;
ramipril (Altace)

-profen Anti-inflammatory drugs NSAID (Nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs)
fenoprofen; flurbiprofen; ibuprofen;
ketoprofen

-quine Anti-infective agents Antiparasitics chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine,
mefloquine

rifa- Anti-infective agents Antituberculars rifamate, rifampin, rifapentine, rifater
-ride
-zide
-nide
Oral anti-diabetic drugs Oral insulin secretagogues Glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol),
glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase), Nateglinide
(Starlix), repaglinide (Prandin)

-sartan Antihypertensive drugs angiotensin II receptor
antagonist; ARB
candesartan; irbesartan (Avapro); losartan
(Cozaar); olmesartan; valsartan (Diovan)

-semide Diuretics loop diuretics furosemide; torsemide
-setron Antiemetic drugs serotonin 5-HT3 receptor
antagonist
alosetron; dolasetron; granisetron;
ondansetron; palonosetron

-sone Anti-inflammatory Drugs

Corticosteroid beclomethasone; dexamethasone;
fluticasone; mometasone

-stigmine Cholinergics (used to treat
Alzheimers disease)
Cholinesterase
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors
Neostigmine (Prostigmin), physostigmine (Calabar
bean), pyridostigmine (Mestinon), Rivastigmine
(Exelon pill or patch)
-zil: Donepezil (Aricept)
-mine: Galantamine (Razadyne)
-onium: Ambenonium
(Mytelase), Edrophonium
(Tensilon)
-stine Antineoplastics (anti-tumor) carmustine, lomustine, vinblastine, vincristine
NRSG 332 7

PREFIX,
ROOT,
SUFFIX
CLASS or USE SUB-CLASS by MOA
(Mechanism of Action)
EXAMPLES
(Generic And Brand Names)
NOTES
-statin Antilipidemic drugs HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor;
statins
Atorvastatin (Lipitor); lovastatin (Mevacor);
pravastatin (Pravachol); rosuvastatin
(Crestor); simvastatin (Zocor)

Sulf- Anti-Bacterial Drugs Metabolism inhibitors Sulfadiazine;
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (SMX-
TMP, Bactrim)

-tadine Anti-inflammatory Drugs (treat
allergy reactions)

H1 blocker (H
1
antagonist or
histamine 1 antagonist or
antihistamine
Cyproheptadine (Periactin); Desloratadine
(Clarinex), Fexofenadine (Allegra),
Loratadine (Claritin); olopatadine (Patanol);
Rupatadine (Rupafin)

-tadine Antiviral drugs anti-influenza-A amantadine; rimantadine,
-tanyl Analgesics Opioids fentanyl transdermal (Duragesic)
-terol Bronchodilators Beta-adrenergic agonist;
bronchodilator
Albuterol (Proventil); arformoterol;
formoterol (Foradil); levalbuterol (Xopenex);
salmeterol (Serevent)

-thiazide Diuretics thiazide diuretic chlorothiazide; hydrochlorothiazide;
methyclothiazide

-tidine Anti-acid agents H
2
receptor antagonists (anti-
ulcer)
Cimetidine (Tagamet), Famotidine (Pepcid),
Nizatidine (Axid), Ranitidine (Zantac)

-trate Antianginals Isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur)
Isosorbide Dinitrate (Isordil)

-trel Hormonal replacement female hormone (progestin) desogestrel; etonogestrel; levonorgestrel;
norgestrel

-tretin
tretin-
-tretin-
dermatologic agent retinoid; form of vitamin A acitretin; alitretinoin; isotretinoin; tretinoin
-triptan Analgesics antimigraine; selective 5-HT
receptor agonist
almotriptan; eletriptan; rizatriptan;
sumatriptan; zolmitriptan

-tropium Bronchodilators Anticholinergic
Bronchodilators
Ipratropium (Atreovent)
Tiotropium (Sprivia)

-triptyline or
-tyline
Anti-depressants Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) Amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline
(Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil).

vir; -vir Antiviral drugs anti-HIV abacavir; efavirenz; enfuvirtide; nevirapine;
ritonavir; tenofovir


NRSG 332 8

PREFIX,
ROOT,
SUFFIX
CLASS or USE SUB-CLASS by MOA
(Mechanism of Action)
EXAMPLES
(Generic And Brand Names)
NOTES
vir; -vir Antiviral drugs anti-hepatitis adefovir; entecavir; ribavirin (along with
interferon)

-vir Antiviral drugs anti-herpes acyclovir; famciclovir; penciclovir;
valacyclovir

-vir Antiviral drugs anti-CMV cidofovir; ganciclovir; valganciclovir
-vir Antiviral drugs anti-flu oseltamivir; zanamivir
-vudine Antiviral drugs nucleoside analogues lamivudine; stavudine; telbivudine;
zidovudine

-zepam
-zepine
Anticonvulsants
Antidepressants or Anxiolytics
benzodiazepine clonazepam (Klonopin); diazepam (Valium);
flurazepam (Dalmane); halazepam
(Paxipam), lorazepam (Ativan), oxazepam
(Serax); temazepam (Restoril); quazepam
(Doral)
(Can be used to treat insomnia)
carbamazepine (Tegretol), Oxcarbazepine
(Trileptal)

Other Anticonvulsants:
Divalproex (depakote),
Gabapentin (Neurontin),
Lamotrigine (Lamictal),
pregabalin (Lyrica),
Tiagabine (Gabitril),
Topiramate (Topamax),
Valproic acid (Depakote),
Valproate (Depacon)
-zepoxide Antidepressants or Anxiolytics Benzodiazepines chlordiazepoxide (Librium),
chlordiazepoxide (Librium)

-zepate Antidepressants or Anxiolytics Benzodiazepines clorazepate (Tranxene)
-zolam Antidepressants or Anxiolytics Benzodiazepines Alprazolam (Xanax), Midazolam (Versed),
Estazolam (ProSom), triazolam (Halcion),

-zine
-mine
Anti-inflammatory Drugs Antihistamines diphenhydramine (Benadryl), hydroxyzine
(Atarax, Vistaril), Cetirizine (Zyrtec),
meclizine (Antivert, Bonamine),
Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)

-zine or
-azine
Antipsychotics, Antiemetics Phenothiazines chlorpromazine, perphenazine,
prochlorperazine (Compazine), promethazine
(Phenergan)

-zoline Nasal decongestants oxymetazoline, zylometazoline
http://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/jsp/drugportal/DrugNameGenericStems.jsp
http://www.takerx.com/class.html