Drug Suffixes and Easy Definitions

-terol

Open the airways to make breathing easier for people with asthma or COPD.

-lukast

Help control asthma symptoms and relieve allergy symptoms.

-azole

Treat fungal infections, such as skin or yeast infections.

-vir

Treat viral infections, including certain cases of herpes, HIV, or influenza.

-glutide

Help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes; some also help with weight loss.

-formin

Lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.

-oxetine

Treat depression and other conditions, such as anxiety.

-traline

Treat depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and certain other mental health conditions.

-azepam

Relieve anxiety and help control certain seizures.

-zolam

Relieve anxiety and panic attacks.

-triptyline

Treat depression and sometimes nerve pain or prevent migraines.

-caine

Numb a specific area of the body to reduce pain during procedures.

-parin

Help prevent and treat blood clots.

-grel

Help prevent blood clots that can cause heart attacks or strokes.

-dronate

Strengthen bones and help prevent fractures in people with osteoporosis.

-sone / -solone

Reduce inflammation and swelling and help treat allergic reactions and other inflammatory conditions.

-pril

Lower blood pressure and help protect the heart and kidneys.

-sartan

Lower blood pressure and help protect the heart and kidneys.

-olol

Slow the heartbeat, lower blood pressure, and reduce the heart's workload.

-statin

Lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

-prazole

Reduce stomach acid to treat acid reflux, heartburn, and stomach ulcers.

-tidine

Reduce stomach acid to relieve heartburn and help heal stomach ulcers.

-cillin

Treat bacterial infections, such as certain throat, ear, and skin infections.

-cycline

Treat bacterial infections, including acne and certain respiratory infections.

-floxacin

Treat certain bacterial infections, including some urinary tract infections.

-mycin

Treat certain bacterial infections.

-dipine

Lower blood pressure and help improve blood flow.

-semide

Remove excess fluid from the body to reduce swelling and help treat fluid buildup from heart failure.

-gliptin

Help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.

-gliflozin

Lower blood sugar and, for certain medications, help protect the heart and kidneys.

-setron

Prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting, especially after surgery or chemotherapy.