Generic Drug Key Syllables and Classifications

A collection of flashcards focused on identifying drug classes through their key syllables and specific clinical associations as presented in the lecture material.

ACE inhibitor

Key Syllable: ---pril. Used as an ACE inhibitor for BP; side effects include cough and angioedema.

ARB

Key Syllable: ---sartan---. Angiotension receptor blockers used to lower BP; side effects include cough and angioedema.

Aminoglycoside Antibiotic

Key Syllable: ---mycin. Referred to as "Mean old mycins".

Adrenergic/ sympathetic anticholinergic

Key Syllable: ---amine/ ---prel/---ephrine/ Atropine. Mnemonic: APE (A-mine, P-rel, E-phrine).

Anticholesterol

Key Syllable: ---statin---. Note: No grapefruit juice for YOU!

Anticoagulant/ Platelet

Specific key terms: War/ --dog--.

Antiviral

Key Syllable: ---vir.

Atypical Antipsychotics

Key Syllable: ---zap. Goal: "Zap the psychosis".

Benzodiazepine

Key Syllable: ---pam/---lam/ ---zep---.

Beta adrenergic blocker

Key Syllable: ---lol. Characterized as "valium for your heart" like calcium channel blockers.

Biguanides

Term: ---metformin. Used as an oral hypoglycemic.

Calcium channel blocker

Key terms: Isop/--zem/--dipine. Mnemonic: "I saw zem dippin in the calcium channel".

Cephalosporin antibiotic

Key Syllables: ---cef/ ---kep/---cephin/---/ ---keph. Note: These are "c" or "k" versions of the same sounding syllable.

Cholinergic

Key Syllables/Terms: ---lol/ ---ergo---/---stig/ Urecholine. Mnemonic: LES (L-ol, E-rgo, S-tig).

H2 Receptor Antagonist

Key Syllable: -- itidine. Used to treat and prevent GI ulcers.

Humalog insulin

Term: lispro.

Lantus insulin

Term: glargine. Note: The word "large" in glargine suggests it is long.

Laxatives

Key Syllable: ---lax---.

Macrolide antibiotic

Key Syllable: thromycin. Note: "Throw them off the mean old mycin list".

MAOI

Key Syllables: tran---/ sel---/phenel---. Memory aid: sounds a little like Transylvania.

Mucomyst

Term: Acetylcystiene. Antidote to Acetaminophen poisoning; both have "Acet" in the name.

Penecillin antibiotic

Key Syllable: ---cillin.

Peripheral anti-Hypertensives

Key Syllable: ---press. Mnemonic: "press" as in blood pressure.

Phenothiazine

Key Syllable: ---zine. Mnemonic: "Zines for the zany".

Potassium wasting diuretics

Key Syllables: ---dine/ ---mide/--. Note: K wasters have "zide".

Proton pump Inhibitor

Key Syllable: ---prazole. Used to treat and prevent GI ulcers.

SSRI antidepressant

Key Syllables: ---xet--/ --- xep---/ ---pramine. Goal: "X out depression".

Steroids

Key Syllables: ---sone/olone. Side effects are referred to as "Cush man".

Sulfonylurea oral hypoglycemic

Key Syllables: ---glib--/--- glyb--/---glip---/ ---glyp---. Note: "Gl" as in glucose.

Synthetic & natural narcotics

Key Syllable: ---done. Goal: "You are 'done' with your pain".

Tri-cyclic antidepressant

Key Syllable: ---trip---. Note: "A Trip" makes you happy.

Tylenol

Term: Acetaminophen. Toxic to the liver; must monitor ALT.

Xanthine bronchodilators

Key Syllable: ---phylline. Relieves airway spasm; side effect includes coffee ground emesis when toxic.