DRUG SUFFIXES CHEAT SHEET
–SORTED ALPHABETICALLY–
A suffix is the ending of a word, placed after the word’s stem, which
often communicates meaning. Drug suffixes are commonly used to
group drugs based on the drug’s action.
Name Drug Classification Examples Action
Increase the fluid
excreted by the
kidneys, while retaining
potassium in the body.
Potassium-Sparing spironolactone reduces cardiovascular
-actone Diuretics aldactone congestion and edema
that results from CHF.
They also lower blood
pressure.
“Clot busters” that
break down clots that
streptokinase lead to heart attacks or
-ase Thrombolytics alteplase (tPA) strokes, to restore
blood flow to the
obstructed area.
Treat and prevent
azine Antiemetics promethazine nausea and vomiting.
Prevent the
transmission of nerve
lidocaine
-caine Local Anesthetics impulses or pain
xylocaine
without causing
unconsciousness.
Broad spectrum antibiotics
tetracycline
-cycline Tetracyclines that treat bacterial
doxycycline
infections.
Relax blood vessels,
therefore increasing blood
-dipine Calcium Channel amlodipine nifedipine supply and oxygen to the
Blockers heart and reducing the
heart’s workload while
lowering blood pressure.
, Name Drug Classification Examples Action
ciprofloxacin Broad spectrum
-floxacin Fluoroquinolones levofloxacin antibiotics that treat
bacterial infections.
repaglinide Lower blood glucose
Meglitinides levels by triggering the
-ide nateglinide
production of insulin;
glyburide
used to treat type 2
glipizide diabetes.
Sulfonylureas
diphenhydramine Treat allergy symptoms,
loratadine such as sneezing, runny
Antihistamines nose, itching, and hives,
brompheniramine
caused by histamine
activation.
-ine Block or delay the
fluoxetine reabsorption of
Selective Serotonin
sertraline serotonin; used to
Reuptake Inhibitors
treat major depressive
(SSRIs)
disorders and anxiety
disorders
Treat anxiety;
prolonged use may
-lam Benzodiazepines alprazolam
lead to physical
dependence.
Increase the fluid excreted
by the kidneys, while
atenolol retaining potassium in the
metoprolol body. reduces
-lol Beta Blockers
propranolol cardiovascular congestion
and edema that results
from CHF. They also lower
blood pressure.
Anti-inflammatory
drugs used to control
Corticosteroids methylprednisolone
-lone many different
inflammation-related
symptoms.
, Name Drug Classification Examples Action
Broad spectrum
-micin - gentamicin
Aminoglycosides antibiotics that treat
mycin tobramycin
bacterial infections.
Treat anxiety;
alprazolam prolonged use may
-pam Benzodiazepines diazepam lead to physical
lorazepam dependence.
Dilate the bronchi and
bronchioles,
theophylline decreasing resistance
-phylline Bronchodilators in the airway and
increasing airflow to
the lungs. Often used
for asthma and COPD.
Block or delay the
reabsorption of
Selective Serotonin citalopram serotonin; used to
-pram Reuptake Inhibitors treat major depressive
(SSRIs) disorders and anxiety
disorders
Anti-ulcer drugs that
Proton Pump lansoprazole
-prazole reduce gastric acid
Inhibitors omeprazole production.
Reduce blood pressure
captopril by dilating blood
-pril ACE Inhibitors lisinopril vessels, thus reducing
the heart’s workload.
Inhibit blood vessel
Angiotensin-II
losartan constriction, helping
-sartan Receptor
valsartan blood vessels relax,
Blockers
which lowers blood
pressure.
Anti-inflammatory
drugs used to control
-sone Corticosteroids
dexamethasone many different
prednisone inflammation-related
symptoms.
, Name Drug Classification Examples Action
Reduce LDL
atorvastatin cholesterol and lower
-statin Antilipidemics simvastatin risks from
cardiovascular disease.
Dilate the bronchi and
bronchioles,
decreasing resistance
albuterol levabutero
-terol Bronchodilators in the airway and
increasing airflow to
the lungs. Often used
for asthma and COPD.
Increase fluid and
potassium excreted by
the kidneys. Reduces
Thiazide Diuretics hydrochlorothiazide cardiovascular
-thiazide
congestion and edema
that results from CHF.
They also lower blood
pressure.
Block the action of
H2-receptor histamine in the
cimetidine
-tidine Antagonists (H2 stomach, decreasing
famotidine
Blockers) the production of
stomach acid.
Treat depression,
Tricyclic amitriptyline bipolar disorder,
-triptyline Antidepressants anxiety, OCD, and
nortriptyline
other mood disorders.
–SORTED ALPHABETICALLY–
A suffix is the ending of a word, placed after the word’s stem, which
often communicates meaning. Drug suffixes are commonly used to
group drugs based on the drug’s action.
Name Drug Classification Examples Action
Increase the fluid
excreted by the
kidneys, while retaining
potassium in the body.
Potassium-Sparing spironolactone reduces cardiovascular
-actone Diuretics aldactone congestion and edema
that results from CHF.
They also lower blood
pressure.
“Clot busters” that
break down clots that
streptokinase lead to heart attacks or
-ase Thrombolytics alteplase (tPA) strokes, to restore
blood flow to the
obstructed area.
Treat and prevent
azine Antiemetics promethazine nausea and vomiting.
Prevent the
transmission of nerve
lidocaine
-caine Local Anesthetics impulses or pain
xylocaine
without causing
unconsciousness.
Broad spectrum antibiotics
tetracycline
-cycline Tetracyclines that treat bacterial
doxycycline
infections.
Relax blood vessels,
therefore increasing blood
-dipine Calcium Channel amlodipine nifedipine supply and oxygen to the
Blockers heart and reducing the
heart’s workload while
lowering blood pressure.
, Name Drug Classification Examples Action
ciprofloxacin Broad spectrum
-floxacin Fluoroquinolones levofloxacin antibiotics that treat
bacterial infections.
repaglinide Lower blood glucose
Meglitinides levels by triggering the
-ide nateglinide
production of insulin;
glyburide
used to treat type 2
glipizide diabetes.
Sulfonylureas
diphenhydramine Treat allergy symptoms,
loratadine such as sneezing, runny
Antihistamines nose, itching, and hives,
brompheniramine
caused by histamine
activation.
-ine Block or delay the
fluoxetine reabsorption of
Selective Serotonin
sertraline serotonin; used to
Reuptake Inhibitors
treat major depressive
(SSRIs)
disorders and anxiety
disorders
Treat anxiety;
prolonged use may
-lam Benzodiazepines alprazolam
lead to physical
dependence.
Increase the fluid excreted
by the kidneys, while
atenolol retaining potassium in the
metoprolol body. reduces
-lol Beta Blockers
propranolol cardiovascular congestion
and edema that results
from CHF. They also lower
blood pressure.
Anti-inflammatory
drugs used to control
Corticosteroids methylprednisolone
-lone many different
inflammation-related
symptoms.
, Name Drug Classification Examples Action
Broad spectrum
-micin - gentamicin
Aminoglycosides antibiotics that treat
mycin tobramycin
bacterial infections.
Treat anxiety;
alprazolam prolonged use may
-pam Benzodiazepines diazepam lead to physical
lorazepam dependence.
Dilate the bronchi and
bronchioles,
theophylline decreasing resistance
-phylline Bronchodilators in the airway and
increasing airflow to
the lungs. Often used
for asthma and COPD.
Block or delay the
reabsorption of
Selective Serotonin citalopram serotonin; used to
-pram Reuptake Inhibitors treat major depressive
(SSRIs) disorders and anxiety
disorders
Anti-ulcer drugs that
Proton Pump lansoprazole
-prazole reduce gastric acid
Inhibitors omeprazole production.
Reduce blood pressure
captopril by dilating blood
-pril ACE Inhibitors lisinopril vessels, thus reducing
the heart’s workload.
Inhibit blood vessel
Angiotensin-II
losartan constriction, helping
-sartan Receptor
valsartan blood vessels relax,
Blockers
which lowers blood
pressure.
Anti-inflammatory
drugs used to control
-sone Corticosteroids
dexamethasone many different
prednisone inflammation-related
symptoms.
, Name Drug Classification Examples Action
Reduce LDL
atorvastatin cholesterol and lower
-statin Antilipidemics simvastatin risks from
cardiovascular disease.
Dilate the bronchi and
bronchioles,
decreasing resistance
albuterol levabutero
-terol Bronchodilators in the airway and
increasing airflow to
the lungs. Often used
for asthma and COPD.
Increase fluid and
potassium excreted by
the kidneys. Reduces
Thiazide Diuretics hydrochlorothiazide cardiovascular
-thiazide
congestion and edema
that results from CHF.
They also lower blood
pressure.
Block the action of
H2-receptor histamine in the
cimetidine
-tidine Antagonists (H2 stomach, decreasing
famotidine
Blockers) the production of
stomach acid.
Treat depression,
Tricyclic amitriptyline bipolar disorder,
-triptyline Antidepressants anxiety, OCD, and
nortriptyline
other mood disorders.
