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Pharmacology Memory Tricks for Nursing Students
2026/2027
1. Drug Name Suffixes (The Fastest Way to Identify Drugs)
Many drugs follow naming patterns. Learning these helps you recognize
the drug class instantly.
Suffix Drug Class Memory Trick Example
PRIL lowers
-pril ACE inhibitors Lisinopril
Pressure
Sartan saves
-sartan ARBs Losartan
arteries
LOL slows the
-lol Beta blockers Metoprolol
heart
Calcium channel Pine relaxes
-pine Amlodipine
blockers pressure
Statins stop
-statin Cholesterol drugs Atorvastatin
cholesterol
Proton pump Prazole protects
-prazole Omeprazole
inhibitors stomach
Tetracycline Cycline kills
-cycline Doxycycline
antibiotics bacteria
Macrolide Mycin = microbes
-mycin Azithromycin
antibiotics die
-
Diuretics Thiazide = pee tide Hydrochlorothiazide
thiazide
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2. ACE Inhibitors (Side Effects Trick)
Common drugs:
• Lisinopril
• Enalapril
• Captopril
Memory Trick
"ACE = CATCHH"
C → Cough
A → Angioedema
T → Taste changes
C → Creatinine increase
H → Hyperkalemia
H → Hypotension
Nursing tip:
Always monitor blood pressure and potassium levels.
3. Beta Blockers
Examples:
• Metoprolol
• Atenolol
• Propranolol
Memory Trick
Beta blockers = “Block the BETAs”
B → BP decreases
E → Exercise tolerance reduced
Pharmacology Memory Tricks for Nursing Students
2026/2027
1. Drug Name Suffixes (The Fastest Way to Identify Drugs)
Many drugs follow naming patterns. Learning these helps you recognize
the drug class instantly.
Suffix Drug Class Memory Trick Example
PRIL lowers
-pril ACE inhibitors Lisinopril
Pressure
Sartan saves
-sartan ARBs Losartan
arteries
LOL slows the
-lol Beta blockers Metoprolol
heart
Calcium channel Pine relaxes
-pine Amlodipine
blockers pressure
Statins stop
-statin Cholesterol drugs Atorvastatin
cholesterol
Proton pump Prazole protects
-prazole Omeprazole
inhibitors stomach
Tetracycline Cycline kills
-cycline Doxycycline
antibiotics bacteria
Macrolide Mycin = microbes
-mycin Azithromycin
antibiotics die
-
Diuretics Thiazide = pee tide Hydrochlorothiazide
thiazide
, 2|Page
2. ACE Inhibitors (Side Effects Trick)
Common drugs:
• Lisinopril
• Enalapril
• Captopril
Memory Trick
"ACE = CATCHH"
C → Cough
A → Angioedema
T → Taste changes
C → Creatinine increase
H → Hyperkalemia
H → Hypotension
Nursing tip:
Always monitor blood pressure and potassium levels.
3. Beta Blockers
Examples:
• Metoprolol
• Atenolol
• Propranolol
Memory Trick
Beta blockers = “Block the BETAs”
B → BP decreases
E → Exercise tolerance reduced
