Drug Recognition Guide Lecture Notes

Practice flashcards for nursing students to recognize drug categories using generic name prefixes and suffixes.

What letters indicate that a drug is an ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor?

The suffix "pril" (e.g., Captopril, Lisinopril, Ramipril).

What are the common medical uses for ACE inhibitors?

To treat hypertension, heart failure, diabetic nephropathy, or to reduce the likelihood of myocardial infarction.

What suffix is typically found in the names of alpha-blockers?

The suffix "osin" (e.g., Alfuzosin, Tamsulosin).

According to the guide, which three alpha-blockers are exceptions that do not end in "osin"?

Indoramin, Phenoxybenzamine, and Phentolamine.

Which suffix identifies Angiotensin-II receptor antagonists?

The suffix "sartan" (e.g., Candesartan, Losartan, Valsartan).

What is the specific suffix for antibiotics of the quinolone class?

The suffix "floxacin" (e.g., Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin).

How are cephalosporin antibiotics identified by their names?

They begin with the prefix "cef" (e.g., Cefalexin, Ceftazidime).

Which suffix is used for carbapenem antibiotics?

The suffix "penem" (e.g., Doripenem, Meropenem, Imipenem).

What drug name markers distinguish tetracycline and rifamycin antibiotics?

Tetracyclines end with "cycline" and rifamycins begin with "rif".

Which five drugs end in "cin" but should not be mistaken for antibiotics?

Acemetacin, indometacin, darifenacin, solifenacin, and oxytocin.

What suffixes are used for most benzodiazepines, and what is a notable exception used for alcohol withdrawal?

The suffixes are "azepam" or "azolam"; Chlordiazepoxide is the notable exception.

What is the naming convention for beta-blockers, and what should they not be confused with?

They end in "lol" or "olol"; they should not be confused with drugs ending in "amol" (which often contain paracetamol).

What is the clinical use and common naming suffix for bisphosphonates?

They are used to treat osteoporosis or hypercalcaemia; they end with "dronate" or "dronic acid".

Class II calcium channel blockers used for hypertension or angina usually end with which suffix?

The suffix "dipine" (e.g., Amlodipine, Nifedipine).

What are the four common suffixes for corticosteroids?

The suffixes "sone", "solone", "olone", or "sonide".

What suffix identifies $5HT3$ antagonists used for severe nausea and vomiting?

The suffix "setron" (e.g., Ondansetron).

Which suffix identifies H2 Blockers, and what chemotherapy drug is an exception to this rule?

The suffix "tidine"; Azacitidine is the chemotherapy drug exception.

What are the common suffixes for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)?

The suffixes "ac", "fenac", or "profen".

In drug names, what does the prefix "co-" indicate (e.g., Co-codamol)?

It indicates that the drug is a mixture or compound of two different drugs.

Why is salbutamol an exception in the drug recognition guide?

Despite ending in "amol", it is a beta2 agonist bronchodilator and not a paracetamol-containing compound.

Which suffixes are used for phenothiazines, which can be both antipsychotics and antiemetics?

The suffixes "promazine" or "perazine".

What suffix is used for Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs), and which antipsychotic is a common exception?

The suffix "prazole"; Aripiprazole is the antipsychotic exception.

What specific suffix distinguishes statins (cholesterol-lowering agents) from other drugs?

The suffix "vastatin" (e.g., Atorvastatin, Simvastatin).

Which three drugs end in "statin" but are not cholesterol-lowering agents?

Nystatin (antifungal), Pentostatin (anticancer), and Cilastatin (enzyme inhibitor).

What prefix is used to recognize most sulphonylureas used for type II diabetes?

The prefix "gli" (e.g., Gliclazide, Glipizide).