RxTechExam Drug Prefixes, Suffixes & Root Words

Vocabulary flashcards covering pharmaceutical drug stems, prefixes, suffixes, root words, drug classes, indications, brand name examples, and look-alike exceptions from RxTechExam.

-pril (suffix)

Drug Class: ACE inhibitor. Used for: High blood pressure (Hypertension)

-sartan (suffix)

Drug Class: Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). Used for: Hypertension

-olol (suffix)

Drug Class: Beta-blocker. Used for: Hypertension

-dipine (suffix)

Drug Class: Calcium channel blocker (dihydropyridine). Used for: Hypertension

-statin (-vastatin) (suffix)

Drug Class: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. Used for: High cholesterol

-thiazide (suffix)

Drug Class: Thiazide diuretic. Used for: Hypertension, fluid retention

-semide (suffix)

Drug Class: Loop diuretic. Used for: Edema (fluid retention)

-zosin (-azosin) (suffix)

Drug Class: Alpha-1 blocker. Used for: Enlarged prostate (BPH), and hypertension

-grel(suffix)

Drug class: P2Y12 Inhibitor (Antiplatelet) Used for: Heart attack and stroke prevention

-xaban (suffix)

Drug Class: Factor Xa inhibitor (oral anticoagulant). Used for: Blood clot prevention, stroke prevention

nitr- (root)

Drug Class: Nitrate (vasodilator). Used for: Angina prevention(chest pain)

-cillin (suffix)

Drug Class: Penicillin antibiotic. Used for: Bacterial infections

cef-, ceph- (prefix)

Drug Class: Cephalosporin antibiotic. Bacterial infections

-cycline (suffix)

Drug Class: Tetracycline antibiotic. Used for: Bacterial infections, acne.

-floxacin (-oxacin) (suffix)

Drug Class: Fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Used for: Bacterial infections (UTI, sinus, respiratory)

-mycin (suffix)

Drug Class: Macrolide antibiotic (most). Used for: Bacterial infections, STD, respiratory

-micin (suffix)

Drug Class: Aminoglycoside antibiotic. Used for: Minor wound infection prevention

sulfa- (prefix)

Drug Class: Sulfonamide (sulfa drug). Used for: Urinary tract infections

-conazole (-azole) (suffix)

Drug Class: Azole antifungal. Used for: Yeast infections

-vir (suffix)

Drug Class: Antiviral. Used for: Herpes virus infections

-navir (suffix)

Drug Class: HIV protease inhibitor. HIV

-amivir (suffix)

Drug Class: Neuraminidase inhibitor. Used for: Influenza.

-profen (suffix)

Drug Class: NSAID (propionic acid). Used for: Arthritis pain and inflammation

-fenac, (suffix)

Drug Class: NSAID. Used for: Arthritis pain and inflammation

-coxib (suffix)

Drug Class: COX-2 selective NSAID. Used for: Arthritis pain

-codone (suffix)

Drug Class: Opioid analgesic (Schedule II). Used for: Moderate to severe pain

morph- (root)

Drug Class: Opioid analgesic. Used for: Severe pain

-triptan (suffix)

Drug Class: 5-HT1 agonist (triptan). Used for: Migraine attacks

-sone (suffix)

Drug Class: Corticosteroid. Used for: Inflammation

-olone (suffix)

Drug Class: Corticosteroid. Used for: Inflammation.

-onide (suffix)

Drug Class: Corticosteroid (topical or inhaled). Used for: Asthma maintenance

cort- (root)

Drug Class: Corticosteroid. Used for: Skin itching and inflammation

pred- (root)

Drug Class: Corticosteroid. Used for: Inflammation

-zepam (suffix)

Drug Class: Benzodiazepine (Schedule IV). Used for: Anxiety and panic disorder

-zolam (suffix)

Drug Class: Benzodiazepine (Schedule IV). Used for: Anxiety and panic disorder

z- (prefix)

Drug Class: Non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic (Z-drug, Schedule IV). Used for: Insomnia. Examples: zolpidem (Ambien), zaleplon, eszopiclone.

-bital (suffix)

Drug Class: Barbiturate. Used for: Seizures, sedation, tension-headache combinations. Examples: phenobarbital, butalbital (in Fioricet), secobarbital.

-toin (suffix)

Drug Class: Hydantoin anticonvulsant. Used for: Seizures. Examples: phenytoin, fosphenytoin.

gab- (root)

Drug Class: Gabapentinoid / GABA-related anticonvulsant. Used for: Nerve pain, seizures, fibromyalgia. Examples: gabapentin (Neurontin), pregabalin (Lyrica), tiagabine, vigabatrin.

-pramine (suffix)

Drug Class: Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). Used for: Depression, nerve pain, bedwetting, OCD (clomipramine). Examples: imipramine, desipramine, clomipramine.

-tyline (suffix)

Drug Class: Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). Used for: Depression, nerve pain, migraine prevention, sleep. Examples: amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline.

-oxetine (suffix)

Drug Class: SSRI or SNRI antidepressant (a hint, not a rule). Used for: Depression, anxiety, nerve pain (duloxetine), ADHD (atomoxetine). Examples: fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), duloxetine (Cymbalta), atomoxetine.

-pram (suffix)

Drug Class: SSRI antidepressant. Used for: Depression, anxiety. Examples: citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro).

-faxine (suffix)

Drug Class: SNRI antidepressant. Used for: Depression, anxiety, panic. Examples: venlafaxine (Effexor XR), desvenlafaxine.

-zodone (suffix)

Drug Class: Serotonin modulator antidepressant. Used for: Depression; trazodone is widely used for sleep. Examples: trazodone (Desyrel), nefazodone, vilazodone.

-apine (suffix)

Drug Class: Atypical antipsychotic. Used for: Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder. Examples: quetiapine (Seroquel), olanzapine, clozapine, asenapine.

-ridone (suffix)

Drug Class: Atypical antipsychotic. Used for: Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, irritability in autism. Examples: risperidone (Risperdal), paliperidone, iloperidone.

-peridol (suffix)

Drug Class: Butyrophenone (typical) antipsychotic. Used for: Schizophrenia, acute agitation. Examples: haloperidol, droperidol.

-azine (suffix)

Drug Class: Phenothiazine. Used for: Psychosis, nausea and vomiting, allergy and sedation (promethazine). Examples: chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine, promethazine (Phenergan), fluphenazine.

-amphetamine (suffix)

Drug Class: CNS stimulant (Schedule II). Used for: ADHD, narcolepsy. Examples: amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall), lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), dextroamphetamine.

-phenidate (suffix)

Drug Class: CNS stimulant (Schedule II). Used for: ADHD, narcolepsy. Examples: methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexmethylphenidate (Focalin).

-dopa (suffix)

Drug Class: Dopamine precursor. Used for: Parkinson's disease. Examples: carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet).

-giline (suffix)

Drug Class: MAO-B inhibitor. Used for: Parkinson's disease. Examples: rasagiline, selegiline.

-dronate (suffix)

Drug Class: Bisphosphonate. Used for: Osteoporosis. Examples: alendronate (Fosamax), risedronate, ibandronate.

-gliptin (suffix)

Drug Class: DPP-4 inhibitor. Used for: Type 2 diabetes. Examples: sitagliptin (Januvia), linagliptin (Tradjenta), saxagliptin, alogliptin.

-glitazone (suffix)

Drug Class: Thiazolidinedione (TZD). Used for: Type 2 diabetes. Examples: pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone.

-gliflozin (suffix)

Drug Class: SGLT2 inhibitor. Used for: Type 2 diabetes, heart failure, chronic kidney disease. Examples: empagliflozin (Jardiance), dapagliflozin (Farxiga), canagliflozin.

-glutide, -tide (suffix)

Drug Class: GLP-1 receptor agonist (peptide). Used for: Type 2 diabetes, weight management. Examples: semaglutide (Ozempic), liraglutide (Victoza), dulaglutide (Trulicity), exenatide, tirzepatide.

gli-, gly- (-ide) (prefix/suffix pattern)

Drug Class: Sulfonylurea. Used for: Type 2 diabetes. Examples: glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (DiaBeta), glimepiride (Amaryl).

-glinide (suffix)

Drug Class: Meglitinide. Used for: Type 2 diabetes (taken before meals). Examples: repaglinide, nateglinide.

-formin (suffix)

Drug Class: Biguanide. Used for: Type 2 diabetes (first-line). Examples: metformin (Glucophage).

insulin ___ (root)

Drug Class: Insulin (the second word gives the speed). Used for: Type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Examples: insulin lispro (Humalog), insulin aspart (NovoLog), insulin regular (Humulin R), insulin glargine (Lantus), insulin degludec (Tresiba).

-thyroxine, thyro- (root)

Drug Class: Thyroid hormone. Used for: Hypothyroidism. Examples: levothyroxine (Synthroid), liothyronine.

estr- (root)

Drug Class: Estrogen. Used for: Contraception, menopause symptoms, hormone therapy. Examples: estradiol (Estrace), ethinyl estradiol (in most combined pills), conjugated estrogens.

-gest-, -trel (root)

Drug Class: Progestin. Used for: Contraception, hormone therapy, abnormal bleeding. Examples: levonorgestrel (Plan B; in many pills), norgestimate (in Ortho Tri-Cyclen), desogestrel (in Apri), etonogestrel (in NuvaRing), medroxyprogesterone, progesterone (Prometrium).

-sterone (root)

Drug Class: Steroid hormone (androgen or progestin). Used for: Low testosterone (Schedule III); progesterone support. Examples: testosterone (AndroGel), progesterone (Prometrium), medroxyprogesterone.

-prazole (suffix)

Drug Class: Proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Used for: GERD, ulcers, H. pylori (with antibiotics). Examples: omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), pantoprazole (Protonix), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole, dexlansoprazole.

-tidine (suffix)

Drug Class: H2 blocker (histamine-2 antagonist). Used for: Heartburn, ulcers. Examples: famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine, nizatidine.

-setron (suffix)

Drug Class: 5-HT3 antagonist (antiemetic). Used for: Nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Examples: ondansetron (Zofran), granisetron, palonosetron.

-terol (suffix)

Drug Class: Beta-2 agonist bronchodilator. Used for: Asthma, COPD (rescue and maintenance inhalers). Examples: albuterol (Ventolin HFA), levalbuterol, salmeterol (in Advair), formoterol (in Symbicort).

-tropium (suffix)

Drug Class: Anticholinergic bronchodilator. Used for: COPD, asthma. Examples: tiotropium (Spiriva), ipratropium (in Combivent Respimat).

-lukast (suffix)

Drug Class: Leukotriene receptor antagonist. Used for: Asthma prevention, allergic rhinitis. Examples: montelukast (Singulair), zafirlukast.

-phylline (suffix)

Drug Class: Xanthine bronchodilator. Used for: Asthma, COPD (older therapy). Examples: theophylline, aminophylline.

-tadine (suffix)

Drug Class: Antihistamine (H1, mostly second generation). Used for: Allergies, hives, itchy eyes. Examples: loratadine (Claritin), desloratadine, olopatadine, cyproheptadine.

-iramine (suffix)

Drug Class: Antihistamine (H1, first generation). Used for: Allergies, cold symptoms; sedating. Examples: chlorpheniramine, brompheniramine, pheniramine.

-nacin (suffix)

Drug Class: Muscarinic antagonist (anticholinergic). Used for: Overactive bladder. Examples: solifenacin, darifenacin.

-lamide (suffix)

Drug Class: Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. Used for: Glaucoma, altitude sickness. Examples: acetazolamide, dorzolamide, brinzolamide.

-prost (suffix)

Drug Class: Prostaglandin analog. Used for: Glaucoma (eye drops); misoprostol protects the stomach. Examples: latanoprost (Xalatan), bimatoprost, travoprost, misoprostol.

-mab (suffix)

Drug Class: Monoclonal antibody. Used for: Cancer, autoimmune disease, migraine prevention, high cholesterol, asthma. Examples: adalimumab (Humira), infliximab, trastuzumab, rituximab, pembrolizumab.

-cept (suffix)

Drug Class: Receptor fusion protein. Used for: Autoimmune disease, macular degeneration. Examples: etanercept, abatacept, aflibercept.

-tinib (-nib) (suffix)

Drug Class: Kinase inhibitor (targeted cancer therapy). Used for: Leukemia, lung, kidney and other cancers; some autoimmune uses. Examples: imatinib, dasatinib, erlotinib, ibrutinib, tofacitinib.

-platin (suffix)

Drug Class: Platinum chemotherapy. Used for: Solid tumors (lung, ovarian, testicular, colorectal). Examples: cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin.

-taxel (suffix)

Drug Class: Taxane chemotherapy. Used for: Breast, lung, prostate and ovarian cancers. Examples: paclitaxel, docetaxel.

-rubicin (-bicin) (suffix)

Drug Class: Anthracycline chemotherapy. Used for: Leukemia, lymphoma, breast and bladder cancers. Examples: doxorubicin, idarubicin, epirubicin, valrubicin.

-mustine (suffix)

Drug Class: Nitrogen-mustard alkylating agent. Used for: Brain tumors, lymphoma, leukemia. Examples: carmustine, lomustine, bendamustine, estramustine.

-tecan (suffix)

Drug Class: Topoisomerase I inhibitor. Used for: Colorectal, ovarian and small-cell lung cancers. Examples: irinotecan, topotecan.

-ase (suffix)

Drug Class: Enzyme. Used for: Clot dissolving (stroke, heart attack), cystic fibrosis, enzyme replacement. Examples: alteplase, tenecteplase, dornase alfa, asparaginase.

-tretin (root)

Drug Class: Retinoid (vitamin A derivative). Used for: Severe acne, psoriasis, some leukemias. Examples: isotretinoin, tretinoin, acitretin.