MASTER PHARMACOLOGY GUIDE
Top 50 Must-Know Drug Classes • Suffixes •
Mechanisms • Side Effects • Nursing Implications
Perfect for NCLEX, Nursing Students & Study Materials
How This Guide Works
For each drug class, you get:
• Suffix / Prefix (to easily identify drugs)
• Common Drugs
• Mechanism of Action (Simple)
• NCLEX Key Side Effects
• Vital Nursing Considerations
• Medication Safety Alerts
, 1. ACE INHIBITORS
Suffix: -pril
Examples: Lisinopril, Enalapril, Captopril
Mechanism: Blocks conversion of angiotensin I → II → vasodilation + ↓ BP
Side Effects:
• Dry cough
• Hyperkalemia
• Angioedema (LIFE-THREATENING)
• Hypotension
Nursing Interventions:
• Monitor BP, K⁺ levels
• Avoid K⁺ supplements
• Teach patient to rise slowly
• Discontinue if angioedema occurs
2. ARBs (Angiotensin II Receptor
Blockers)
Suffix: -sartan
Examples: Losartan, Valsartan
Mechanism: Blocks angiotensin II → vasodilation
Side Effects:
• Hypotension
• Dizziness
• Less cough than ACE inhibitors
Nursing Considerations:
• Monitor BP
• Avoid in pregnancy
• Check renal function
, • Avoid potassium supplements
3. Beta Blockers
Suffix: -olol
Examples: Metoprolol, Atenolol, Propranolol
Mechanism: Blocks β receptors → ↓ HR, ↓ BP, ↓ cardiac workload
Side Effects:
• Bradycardia
• Hypotension
• Fatigue
• Bronchospasm (nonselective)
• Masked hypoglycemia
Nursing Considerations:
• Check HR & BP before giving
• Hold if HR < 60
• Avoid in asthma (nonselective beta blockers)
• Do NOT stop suddenly → rebound tachycardia
4. Calcium Channel Blockers
Suffix: -dipine (mostly)
Examples: Amlodipine, Nifedipine, Verapamil
Mechanism: Blocks Ca+ channels → vasodilation → ↓ BP
Side Effects:
• Headache
• Peripheral edema
• Hypotension
• Bradycardia (verapamil, diltiazem)
Nursing Considerations:
, • Check BP
• Avoid grapefruit juice
• Monitor edema
• Fall risk due to hypotension
5. Diuretics
A. Loop Diuretics
Example: Furosemide
Side Effects: Hypokalemia, dehydration
Nursing:
• Monitor K⁺
• I&O
• Daily weights
B. Thiazide
Example: Hydrochlorothiazide
Side Effects: Hypokalemia
Nursing: Same as loop diuretics
C. Potassium-Sparing
Example: Spironolactone
Side Effects: Hyperkalemia
Nursing:
• Avoid potassium foods
• Monitor K⁺ and ECG
6. Nitroglycerin & Nitrates
, Suffix: none
Mechanism: Dilates coronary arteries → ↓ chest pain
Side Effects:
• Headache
• Hypotension
• Reflex tachycardia
Nursing Care:
• Sit/lie before taking
• Do NOT combine with sildenafil (Viagra) → fatal hypotension
• Check BP before giving
• Store in a dark glass bottle
7. Statins
Suffix: -statin
Examples: Atorvastatin, Simvastatin
Mechanism: ↓ cholesterol by inhibiting liver enzymes
Side Effects:
• Muscle pain (rhabdomyolysis)
• Liver damage
Nursing:
• Monitor liver enzymes
• Report muscle pain immediately
• Take at night
8. Anticoagulants
A. Warfarin
Top 50 Must-Know Drug Classes • Suffixes •
Mechanisms • Side Effects • Nursing Implications
Perfect for NCLEX, Nursing Students & Study Materials
How This Guide Works
For each drug class, you get:
• Suffix / Prefix (to easily identify drugs)
• Common Drugs
• Mechanism of Action (Simple)
• NCLEX Key Side Effects
• Vital Nursing Considerations
• Medication Safety Alerts
, 1. ACE INHIBITORS
Suffix: -pril
Examples: Lisinopril, Enalapril, Captopril
Mechanism: Blocks conversion of angiotensin I → II → vasodilation + ↓ BP
Side Effects:
• Dry cough
• Hyperkalemia
• Angioedema (LIFE-THREATENING)
• Hypotension
Nursing Interventions:
• Monitor BP, K⁺ levels
• Avoid K⁺ supplements
• Teach patient to rise slowly
• Discontinue if angioedema occurs
2. ARBs (Angiotensin II Receptor
Blockers)
Suffix: -sartan
Examples: Losartan, Valsartan
Mechanism: Blocks angiotensin II → vasodilation
Side Effects:
• Hypotension
• Dizziness
• Less cough than ACE inhibitors
Nursing Considerations:
• Monitor BP
• Avoid in pregnancy
• Check renal function
, • Avoid potassium supplements
3. Beta Blockers
Suffix: -olol
Examples: Metoprolol, Atenolol, Propranolol
Mechanism: Blocks β receptors → ↓ HR, ↓ BP, ↓ cardiac workload
Side Effects:
• Bradycardia
• Hypotension
• Fatigue
• Bronchospasm (nonselective)
• Masked hypoglycemia
Nursing Considerations:
• Check HR & BP before giving
• Hold if HR < 60
• Avoid in asthma (nonselective beta blockers)
• Do NOT stop suddenly → rebound tachycardia
4. Calcium Channel Blockers
Suffix: -dipine (mostly)
Examples: Amlodipine, Nifedipine, Verapamil
Mechanism: Blocks Ca+ channels → vasodilation → ↓ BP
Side Effects:
• Headache
• Peripheral edema
• Hypotension
• Bradycardia (verapamil, diltiazem)
Nursing Considerations:
, • Check BP
• Avoid grapefruit juice
• Monitor edema
• Fall risk due to hypotension
5. Diuretics
A. Loop Diuretics
Example: Furosemide
Side Effects: Hypokalemia, dehydration
Nursing:
• Monitor K⁺
• I&O
• Daily weights
B. Thiazide
Example: Hydrochlorothiazide
Side Effects: Hypokalemia
Nursing: Same as loop diuretics
C. Potassium-Sparing
Example: Spironolactone
Side Effects: Hyperkalemia
Nursing:
• Avoid potassium foods
• Monitor K⁺ and ECG
6. Nitroglycerin & Nitrates
, Suffix: none
Mechanism: Dilates coronary arteries → ↓ chest pain
Side Effects:
• Headache
• Hypotension
• Reflex tachycardia
Nursing Care:
• Sit/lie before taking
• Do NOT combine with sildenafil (Viagra) → fatal hypotension
• Check BP before giving
• Store in a dark glass bottle
7. Statins
Suffix: -statin
Examples: Atorvastatin, Simvastatin
Mechanism: ↓ cholesterol by inhibiting liver enzymes
Side Effects:
• Muscle pain (rhabdomyolysis)
• Liver damage
Nursing:
• Monitor liver enzymes
• Report muscle pain immediately
• Take at night
8. Anticoagulants
A. Warfarin
