pharmacy tech medication endings

❤ BLOOD PRESSURE / HEART

-pril

-pril

  • Class: ACE inhibitor

  • Use: lowers blood pressure, heart failure

  • Example: lisinopril, enalapril

  • Key: may cause dry cough, ↑ potassium

-sartan

-sartan

  • Class: ARB

  • Use: lowers blood pressure

  • Example: losartan, valsartan

  • Key: alternative to ACE inhibitors (no cough)

-olol

-olol

  • Class: Beta blocker

  • Use: slows heart rate, lowers BP

  • Example: metoprolol, propranolol

  • Key: “heart slows down”

-statin

-statin

  • Class: cholesterol-lowering drug

  • Use: lowers LDL cholesterol

  • Example: atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin

  • Key: prevents plaque buildup

🧪 STOMACH / ACID

-prazole

-prazole

  • Class: Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)

  • Use: acid reflux, GERD

  • Example: omeprazole, pantoprazole

  • Key: reduces stomach acid

🦠 ANTIBIOTICS

-cillin

-cillin

  • Class: Penicillin antibiotic

  • Use: bacterial infections

  • Example: amoxicillin

  • Key: kills bacteria cell wall

-cycline

-cycline

  • Class: Tetracycline antibiotic

  • Use: acne, Lyme disease, infections

  • Example: doxycycline

  • Key: broad-spectrum antibiotic

🫁 RESPIRATORY

-terol

-terol

  • Class: bronchodilator

  • Use: asthma/COPD (opens airways)

  • Example: albuterol, salmeterol

  • Key: “opens lungs fast”

😌 MENTAL HEALTH

-pram / -ine / -line (SSRIs)

SSRIs (e.g., sertraline, fluoxetine)

  • Class: antidepressants (SSRI)

  • Use: depression, anxiety

  • Example: sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac)

  • Key: mood stabilizing

-pam / -lam / -zolam

benzodiazepines (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam)

  • Class: benzodiazepines

  • Use: anxiety, sedation

  • Example: alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium)

  • Key: controlled substance (sedating)

💊 PAIN / NSAIDs

(No clean ending pattern — memorize individually)

  • ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) → pain, inflammation

  • naproxen (Aleve) → pain, inflammation

  • acetaminophen (Tylenol) → pain/fever only

  • oxycodone → strong opioid painkiller (controlled)

  • hydrocodone → opioid painkiller (controlled)

🍬 DIABETES

  • metformin → first-line diabetes drug

  • insulin (Humalog, Lantus) → lowers blood sugar

  • glipizide → increases insulin release

  • pioglitazone (-glitazone class) → diabetes control

⚠ CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES (IMPORTANT EXAM SECTION)

You MUST recognize:

Opioids:

  • oxycodone

  • hydrocodone

  • morphine

  • codeine

Benzodiazepines:

  • alprazolam (Xanax)

  • lorazepam (Ativan)

  • diazepam (Valium)

👉 These are always tested for:

  • abuse potential

  • storage rules

  • schedule classification