PTCB 2026 High-Yield 200 Drug Study Guide

A high-yield vocabulary study set covering drug stems, top medications, generic and brand names, uses, drug classes, and exam weighting for the 2026 PTCE.

-pril

Ending that often points to ACE inhibitors used for blood pressure.

-sartan

Ending that often points to ARBs used for blood pressure.

-olol

Ending that often points to beta blockers used for blood pressure/heart.

-statin

Ending that points to statins used for cholesterol.

-prazole

Ending that points to PPIs used for stomach acid.

-cillin

Ending that points to penicillin antibiotics used for bacterial infections.

-floxacin

Ending that points to fluoroquinolone antibiotics used for bacterial infections.

-cycline

Ending that points to tetracycline antibiotics used for bacterial infections/acne.

-azole

Ending that often points to antifungals used for fungal infections.

-pam / -lam

Ending that points to benzodiazepines used for anxiety/seizures.

-triptyline

Ending that points to tricyclic antidepressants used for depression/nerve pain.

-oxetine

Ending that often points to SSRIs/SNRIs used for depression/anxiety.

Lisinopril

Brand: Zestril / Prinivil | Used for: Blood pressure | Class: ACE inhibitor

Losartan

Brand: Cozaar | Used for: Blood pressure | Class: ARB

Amlodipine

Brand: Norvasc | Used for: Blood pressure | Class: Calcium channel blocker

Diltiazem

Brand: Cardizem | Used for: Blood pressure / heart rate | Class: Calcium channel blocker

Metoprolol

Brand: Lopressor / Toprol-XL | Used for: Blood pressure / heart | Class: Beta blocker

Hydrochlorothiazide

Brand: Microzide | Used for: Blood pressure / swelling | Class: Diuretic

Furosemide

Brand: Lasix | Used for: Swelling / heart failure | Class: Loop diuretic

Spironolactone

Brand: Aldactone | Used for: Swelling / heart failure | Class: Potassium-sparing diuretic

Clonidine

Brand: Catapres | Used for: Blood pressure | Class: Alpha-2 agonist

Atorvastatin

Brand: Lipitor | Used for: High cholesterol | Class: Statin

Ezetimibe

Brand: Zetia | Used for: High cholesterol | Class: Cholesterol-lowering drug

Clopidogrel

Brand: Plavix | Used for: Prevent blood clots | Class: Antiplatelet

Warfarin

Brand: Coumadin | Used for: Prevent blood clots | Class: Anticoagulant

Apixaban

Brand: Eliquis | Used for: Prevent blood clots | Class: Anticoagulant

Nitroglycerin

Brand: Nitrostat | Used for: Chest pain | Class: Nitrate

Metformin

Brand: Glucophage | Used for: Type 2 diabetes | Class: Biguanide

Glipizide

Brand: Glucotrol | Used for: Type 2 diabetes | Class: Sulfonylurea

Sitagliptin

Brand: Januvia | Used for: Type 2 diabetes | Class: DPP-4 inhibitor

Empagliflozin

Brand: Jardiance | Used for: Type 2 diabetes / heart-kidney benefits | Class: SGLT2 inhibitor

Semaglutide

Brand: Ozempic / Rybelsus | Used for: Type 2 diabetes / weight management | Class: GLP-1 receptor agonist

Insulin glargine

Brand: Lantus / Basaglar | Used for: Diabetes | Class: Long-acting insulin

Amoxicillin

Brand: Amoxil | Used for: Bacterial infections | Class: Penicillin antibiotic

Amoxicillin/clavulanate

Brand: Augmentin | Used for: Bacterial infections | Class: Penicillin combination

Cephalexin

Brand: Keflex | Used for: Bacterial infections | Class: Cephalosporin antibiotic

Azithromycin

Brand: Zithromax / Z-Pak | Used for: Bacterial infections | Class: Macrolide antibiotic

Doxycycline

Brand: Vibramycin | Used for: Bacterial infections / acne | Class: Tetracycline antibiotic

Ciprofloxacin

Brand: Cipro | Used for: Bacterial infections | Class: Fluoroquinolone antibiotic

Metronidazole

Brand: Flagyl | Used for: Bacterial / certain parasitic infections | Class: Nitroimidazole

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole

Brand: Bactrim / Septra | Used for: Bacterial infections | Class: Sulfonamide antibiotic

Nitrofurantoin

Brand: Macrobid / Macrodantin | Used for: Urinary tract infection | Class: Urinary antibiotic

Fluconazole

Brand: Diflucan | Used for: Fungal infections | Class: Antifungal

Acyclovir

Brand: Zovirax | Used for: Herpes infections | Class: Antiviral

Oseltamivir

Brand: Tamiflu | Used for: Influenza (flu) | Class: Antiviral

Sertraline

Brand: Zoloft | Used for: Depression / anxiety | Class: SSRI

Duloxetine

Brand: Cymbalta | Used for: Depression / nerve pain | Class: SNRI

Bupropion

Brand: Wellbutrin | Used for: Depression / smoking cessation | Class: Antidepressant

Alprazolam

Brand: Xanax | Used for: Anxiety / panic disorder | Class: Benzodiazepine

Zolpidem

Brand: Ambien | Used for: Insomnia | Class: Sleep medicine

Acetaminophen

Brand: Tylenol | Used for: Pain / fever | Class: Analgesic

Ibuprofen

Brand: Advil / Motrin | Used for: Pain / inflammation / fever | Class: NSAID

Prednisone

Brand: Deltasone | Used for: Inflammation | Class: Corticosteroid

Cyclobenzaprine

Brand: Flexeril | Used for: Muscle spasms | Class: Muscle relaxant

Hydrocodone/acetaminophen

Brand: Norco | Used for: Pain | Class: Opioid pain medicine

Albuterol

Brand: ProAir / Ventolin | Used for: Asthma / breathing problems | Class: Bronchodilator

Montelukast

Brand: Singulair | Used for: Asthma / allergies | Class: Leukotriene modifier

Epinephrine

Brand: EpiPen | Used for: Severe allergic reaction | Class: Emergency medicine

Omeprazole

Brand: Prilosec | Used for: Heartburn / acid reflux | Class: PPI

Ondansetron

Brand: Zofran | Used for: Nausea / vomiting | Class: Antiemetic

Polyethylene glycol 3350

Brand: MiraLAX | Used for: Constipation | Class: Laxative

Levothyroxine

Brand: Synthroid | Used for: Low thyroid | Class: Thyroid hormone

Gabapentin

Brand: Neurontin | Used for: Nerve pain / seizures | Class: Anticonvulsant

Sumatriptan

Brand: Imitrex | Used for: Migraine | Class: Triptan

Donepezil

Brand: Aricept | Used for: Alzheimer's symptoms | Class: Cholinesterase inhibitor

Tamsulosin

Brand: Flomax | Used for: Enlarged prostate / urine flow | Class: Alpha-1 blocker

Sildenafil

Brand: Viagra | Used for: Erectile dysfunction | Class: PDE-5 inhibitor

Allopurinol

Brand: Zyloprim | Used for: Gout prevention | Class: Xanthine oxidase inhibitor

Alendronate

Brand: Fosamax | Used for: Osteoporosis | Class: Bisphosphonate

Methylphenidate

Brand: Ritalin / Concerta | Used for: ADHD | Class: Stimulant

Naloxone

Brand: Narcan | Used for: Reverse opioid overdose | Class: Opioid antagonist

Glucagon

Brand: Gvoke / many brands | Used for: Severe low blood sugar | Class: Emergency hormone

PTCE Medications Domain Percentage

The Medications domain makes up 35% of the PTCE exam.