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What Do Drug Suffixes Mean? A Helpful Guide






Decoding Drug Names: A Guide to Common Suffixes


Decoding Drug Names: A Guide to Common Suffixes

Drug names can often seem complex and intimidating, but understanding some common suffixes can provide valuable clues about a medication’s class and intended use. This article aims to demystify drug nomenclature by exploring some of the most frequently encountered suffixes. It is crucial to remember that this information is for educational purposes only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions about your medication.

Why Suffixes Matter

Drug suffixes, while not the entire story, offer a helpful starting point for understanding a medication’s properties. They often indicate the drug’s class, mechanism of action, or the condition it treats. Recognizing these suffixes can aid in communication with healthcare providers and improve your understanding of prescribed medications.

Common Drug Suffixes and Their Meanings

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Suffix Class Clinical Use Example Notes
-ab Monoclonal antibodies Various (cancer, autoimmune) Adalimumab Target specific proteins
-ac Anti-inflammatory Pain, inflammation Indomethacin Many are NSAIDs
-alol Combined alpha and beta blockers Hypertension Labetalol
-amivir Neuraminidase inhibitors Influenza Oseltamivir Antiviral
-andr- Androgens Hormone replacement, hypogonadism Testosterone
-ase Enzymes Various Alteplase Can dissolve clots
-astine H1-antihistamines Allergies Loratadine
-azepam, -zolam Benzodiazepines Anxiety, insomnia Diazepam, Alprazolam
-bendazole Anthelmintics Worm infections Mebendazole
-butazone NSAIDs Pain, inflammation Phenylbutazone
-chol Bile acid sequestrants High cholesterol Cholestyramine
-conazole Antifungals Fungal infections Fluconazole
-cort, -onide, -isone, -pred Corticosteroids Inflammation Hydrocortisone, Budesonide, Prednisone, Prednisolone
-curium Neuromuscular blockers Muscle relaxation (surgery) Pancuronium
-dipine Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers Hypertension, angina Nifedipine
-dronate Bisphosphonates Osteoporosis Alendronate
-ergotamine Ergot alkaloids Migraine Ergotamine
-fenac NSAIDs Pain, inflammation Diclofenac
-fibrate Fibrates High triglycerides Gemfibrozil
-gliptin DPP-4 inhibitors Type 2 diabetes Sitagliptin
-glitazone Thiazolidinediones Type 2 diabetes Pioglitazone
-icin/-mycin Antibiotics (various) Bacterial infections Erythromycin, Vancomycin Macrolides, aminoglycosides
-ilol Beta blocker Hypertension, heart failure Carvedilol
-ine Various classes Varies widely Caffeine, Atropine Be cautious, many meanings
-ipramine, -triptyline Tricyclic antidepressants Depression, anxiety Imipramine, Amitriptyline
-ium Various classes Varies widely Atropium, Pancuronium
-kacin Aminoglycoside antibiotics Bacterial infections Amikacin
-lamide Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors Glaucoma Acetazolamide
-lukast Leukotriene receptor antagonists Asthma Montelukast
-mantadine Antivirals Influenza A Amantadine
-mustine Alkylating agents Cancer Carmustine Chemotherapy drugs
-navir Protease inhibitors HIV Ritonavir Antiviral
-olol Beta blockers Hypertension, angina Atenolol, Propranolol
-olone Anabolic steroids/Corticosteroids Muscle building/Inflammation Nandrolone/Triamcinolone
-parin Anticoagulants Blood clots Heparin
-phylline Methylxanthines Asthma, COPD Theophylline
-pril ACE inhibitors Hypertension, heart failure Lisinopril
-prost Prostaglandin analogs Glaucoma Latanoprost
-quine Antimalarials Malaria Hydroxychloroquine
-relin GnRH analogs Infertility Goserelin
-rin Anticoagulants Blood clots Warfarin
-sartan Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) Hypertension, heart failure Valsartan, Losartan
-setron 5-HT3 receptor antagonists Nausea, vomiting Ondansetron For chemotherapy nausea
-statin HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors High cholesterol Lovastatin, Atorvastatin
-steride 5-alpha reductase inhibitors BPH Finasteride
-sulfa Sulfonamides Bacterial infections Sulfamethoxazole Antibiotic
-tan Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) Hypertension, heart failure Valsartan, Losartan
-tecan Topoisomerase inhibitors Cancer Irinotecan Chemotherapy drugs
-terol Beta-2 agonists Asthma, COPD Albuterol
-thiazide Thiazide diuretics Hypertension Hydrochlorothiazide
-tinib Tyrosine kinase inhibitors Cancer Imatinib Targeted therapy
-trel Progestins Contraception Levonorgestrel