Suffix for Drugs on NCLEX

-cycline

Tetracyclines

Broad-spectrum abx

Ex: doxycycline

**avoid anti-acids and dairy products; use sunscreen and protective clothing; affects teeth (brown, speckled stain)

-thromycin

Macrolide abx

Broad-spectrum

Ex: Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, Erythromycin

sulf-

Sulfonamides

Abx

Ex: sulfamethoxazole

cef-, ceph-

Cephalosporins

Broad-spectrum abx

Ex: cephalexin, cefepime, ceftriaxone

**report allergies to penicillin and observe for anaphylaxis

-cillin

Penicillins

Ex: amoxicillin (broad-spectrum)

-micin, -mycin

Aminoglycosides & macrolides

Abx

Ex: gentamicin, tobramycin

**report tinnitus, vertigo, hearing loss; drink plenty of fluids; give when penicillin is contraindicated

-floxacin

Fluoroquinolones

Broad-spectrum abx

Ex: ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin

-azole

Antifungals

Ex: fluconazole

-caine

Local anesthetic

Ex: lidocaine

-barbital

Barbiturates (CNS depressants) (sedative, anticonvulsant)

Ex: phenobarbital (seizure control)

-zolam, -zepam

Benzodiazepines (anxiolytics)

Relieve anxiety, muscle tension, and panic

Ex: lorazepam, diazepam, alprazolam

-done, -one

Opioids

Pain

Ex: oxycodone

-profen

NSAIDs

Relieve pain, reduce fever, decrease inflammation

Ex: ibuprofen

Aspirin, Bismuth Subsalicylate

Salicylates (class of NSAIDs)

Relieve pain, reduce fever, decrease inflammation

Acetaminophen, Ketorolac, Celecoxib, Naproxen

Nonsalicylates (NSAIDs without the salicylate)

Relieve pain, reduce fever, decrease inflammation

-vir

Antivirals

Ex: Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

-clovir

Antivirals (anti-herpes viral agents)

Ex: Acyclovir, Valacyclovir

-navir

Antiretrovirals (protease inhibitors), for HIV

Ex: ritonavir

-vudine

Antiretrovirals (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors), treat HIV and Hepatitis B

Ex: Lamivudine, Zidovudine

-oxetine, -talopram

SSRIs, antidepressants

Ex: Escitalopram, Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Sertraline

-triptyline, -pramine

Tricyclic antidepressants

Ex: Amitriptyline, Imipramine

Phenelzine, Isocarboxazid

MAOIs

Antidepressants

Phenelzine- panic disorder and social anxiety disorder too

Isocarboxazid -MDD

-tadine, -tirizine

H1 antagonists (second-generation antihistamines)

Ex: Cetirizine, Loratadine

-eph-, -zoline

Nasal decongestants

Ex: Phenylephrine, Oxymetazoline

-terol

Short acting beta 2 agonists (bronchodilators)

Ex: albuterol

-phylline

Xanthine derivatives (bronchodilators)

Ex: Theophylline, Dyphylline

-tropium

Cholinergic blockers (anticholinergics), prevent involuntary muscle spasms to open airways

Ex: ipratropium, tiotropium

-zumab, -lukast

Immunomodulators (severe, persistent asthma) & leukotriene modifiers (daily oral meds to prevent airway constriction, inflammation, and excess mucus production)

Ex: Omalizumab, Montelukast

-glitazone

Thiazolidinediones

Antidiabetic

Ex: Pioglitazone

-gliptin

Antidiabetic, DPP-4 inhibitors

Ex: Sitagliptin, Linagliptin

-pril

ACE Inhibitors, Antihypertensive

Ex: Lisinopril, Enalapril

Watch for hyperkalemia, dry cough, and angioedema

-olol

Beta Blockers, antihypertensive, and reduces HR

Ex: Metoprolol, Atenolol, Propranolol, Carvedilol

**assess pulse and BP prior; blood sugar is masked when low (hypoglycemia)

-sartan

ARBs (angiotension recpetor blockers)

Antihypertensive, treat HF, and CKD

Ex: Losartan, Valsartan

-pine, -amil

Calcium channel blockers

Antihypertensive, angina, and arrhythmias

Ex: Amlodipine, Nifedipine, Diltiazem (slow HR, for Afib and angina too)

-vaptan

Antihypertensive

Block ADH in the kidneys (excrete free water without losing electrolytes)

Ex: Tolvaptan, Conivaptan

-osin

Alpha 1 blockers (blocks norepinephrine)

Antihypertensive & for BPH

Ex: Tamsulosin (BPH), Prazosin

-ide, -semide

Loop diuretics (expel sodium, potassium, and water) (potassium-wasting)

Antihypertensive

Ex: Furosemide, Torsemide, Bumetanide

**diet increase K+; daily weight; take with or after meal in the AM; no smoking and alcohol

-thiazide

Thiazide diuretic

Antihypertensive

Ex: Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

-actone

Potassium-sparing diuretic

Antihypertensive

Ex: Spironolactone

-tidine

H2 blockers

Reduce production of stomach acid to treat GERD, heartburn, and stomach ulcers

Ex: Famotidine, Cimetidine

-prazole

PPI

Reduce production of stomach acid to treat GERD, heartburn, and stomach ulcers

Ex: Omeprazole, Esomeprazole, Pantoprazole, Lansoprazole (EXCEPT Aripiprazole)

**give on empty stomach before meals, avoid alcohol, ASA, NSAIDS, smoking and caffeinePPIs

-statin

Antihyperlipidemics

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor

Ex: Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin

-xaban

Anticoagulant

Factor Xa inhibitors

Ex: Apixaban, Rivaroxaban

-parin

Low-molecular-weight heparins

Anticoagulant

Ex: Enoxaparin, Dalteparin

**report unusual bleeding, soft toothbrush and electric razors, antidote is protamine sulfate

-teplase

Thrombolytics (clot busters)

Ex: Alteplase

**maintain bedrest; contraindicated in clients w/ active internal bleeding; for MI give within 6h of onset; for CVA give 2-3h of onset; antidote is aminocaproic acid (Amicar)

-arone

Broad-spectrum antiarrhythmic

Potassium-channel blockers

Ex: Amiodarone (ventricular dysrhythmias)

-afil

Phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDE inhibitor)

Tx of erectile dysfunction

Ex: sildenafil (Viagra)

-sone, -lone

Corticosteroid

Decreases inflammation and normal immune response (immunosuppressive meds)

Ex: Predisone, Dexamethasone, Fluticasone, Prednisolone, Methylprednisolone

**don’t stop suddenly, avoid grapefruit juice and limit caffeine, give with food in the AM to decrease gastric upset

-cort-

Corticosteroid

Decreases inflammation and immune response

Ex: Hydrocortisone

**dont stop suddenly; avoid grapefruit juice and limit caffeine; give with food in AM to decrease gastric upset

-dronate

Biphosphonate, bone resorption inhibitor

Tx and prevention of osteoporosis

Ex: Alendronate

**take in the AM, 30 min before other medication of food and remain upright; engage in weight bearing activites

-setron

Antiemetic, antinauseant

Prevents N/V

Ex: Odansetron

-triptan

Antimigraine

Ex: Sumatriptan

**use only during migraine; avoid alcohol (which aggravates migraines); report chest pain

Metformin

Antidiabetic for Type 2 DM

Take with meals and avoid taking for surgeries and scans using contrast dye

Nitroglycerin

Angina

Gabapentin

Anti-convulsant and for peripheral neuropathy

Methotrexate

Immunosuppressant

Methylergonovine

Prevents PPH

Can’t breastfeed (pump and dump)

Oxytocin (Pitocin)

Induces contractions

Stop if late decelerations appear

Risperidone

Atypical Antipsychotic for schizophrenia

-thyroxine

Thyroid Hormone Replacement

Tx for hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s

Ex: Levothyroxine

Clopidogrel

Antiplatelet

Lithium

Mood stabilizer for mania in bipolar disorder

>2 LITHIUM TOXICITY

Haloperidol

Atypical Antipsychotic (schizophrenia, mania, aggressive and agitated patient)

- extrapyramidal symptoms (involuntary contractions, tremors, restlessness, rigidity)

- may cause seizures, constipation, dry mouth, agranulocytosis

- monitor for neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Aripiprazole

Atypical antipsychotics (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, MDD)

- extrapyramidal symptoms (involuntary contractions, tremors, restlessness, rigidity)

- may cause seizures, constipation, dry mouth, agranulocytosis

- monitor for neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Epoetin

Treat anemia by producing more RBCs

Pregabalin

Anticonvulsant and for neuropathic pain (fibromyalgia)

Varenicline

Smoking deterrent

Donepezil

Cholinesterase inhibitors

Dementia patients to help improve memory, thinking, and communication between nerve cells

Rifampin

Abx for TB (both active and latent)

Memantine

Treats moderate to severe Alzheimer’s

Rifampin, Isoniazid, Ethambutol

Abx for TB

Adenosine

SVT

Dutasteride, Finasteride

5-Alpha Reductase inhibitors

BPH

Phenytoin

Anticonvulsant (prevent and control generalized tonic-clonic and focal seizures in epilepsy patients)

Digoxin

Antiarrhythmic (for CHF, A-fib, A-flutter)

Increases cardiac output and slows the rate

- Use caution with diuretic use as they may cause electrolyte abnormalities that can lead to

toxicity

- Signs of toxicity include vision changes (blurred vision, yellow, green vision disturbances)

- Monitor pulse rate for 1 full minute prior to dosing patient (hold for pulse <60)