- Suffixes are commonly used in drug names to indicate the drug class or category. The document provides examples of many common drug suffixes such as -caine, -cillin, -statin, and others. - For each suffix, it lists example drugs that use the suffix, the drug category or mechanism of action, and common diseases or conditions treated. - Understanding suffixes can help remember drugs and their categories, actions, and indications more easily. The document is a helpful reference for learning about drug name suffixes and their meanings.

2. How to remember drug names
easily ?

3. Suffix Drug
-afil
Sildenafil
Tadalafil
Vardenafil
Avanafil
Action/category M/A
Vasodilation
cGMP - GMP –
vasodilation
(PDE-v/
Posphodiesterase
v inhibitors)
Disease
Erectile-dysfunction,
Pulmonary-arterial-
hypertension-PAH

4. Suffix Drug
-azepine
Carbamazepine
Oxcarbazepine
Quetiapine
Action /category M/A
Antiepileptic
Na+ channel
blocker
Disease
Epilepsy,
Schizophrenia,
Bipolar disorder,
Trigeminal neuralgia

5. Suffix Drug
-azole
Ketoconazole
Miconazole
Econazole
Clotrimazole
Fluconazole
Itraconazole
Terconazole
Butoconazole
Tioconazole
Posaconazole
Voriconazole
Action /category M/A
Antifungal
Blocking fungal
CYP450 enzyme
(Cytochromes
P450) -Prevent
biosynthesis of
triglycerides and
phospholipid.
Disease
candidiasis,
Fungal infection,
Seborrhoeic-
dermatitis,
Pityriasis-versicolor
Imidazole
Triazole

6. Suffix Drug
-azosin
Prazosin
Terazosin
Doxazosin
Action /category M/A
Antihypertensive
Competitively
blocks
postsynaptic alpha
1 adrenoreceptor
of vein & artery –
Vasodilation
Disease
Hypertension,
Benign prostatic
hyperplasia-BPH,
Raynaud’s disease,

7. Suffix Drug
-bendazole
Albendazole
Mebendazole
Thiabendazole
Action/category M/A
Anthelminthic
Anti-worm
Selectively bind to
nematode ß-tubulin,
inhibiting
polymerization, thus
preventing the
formation of
microtubules and so
stopping cell division.
Block uptake of
glucose, leading to
depletion of glycogen,
and reduced stores of
ATP and subsequent
parasite
immobilization.
Disease
Helminthiasis,
Echinococcosis ,
Neurocysticercosis,
Enterobiasis ,
Ascariasis,
Hookwarm infection,
Strongyloidiasis,
Giardiasis ,
Filariasis

8. Suffix Drug
-caine
Benzocaine
Procaine
Chlorprocaine
Tetracaine
Lidocaine
Bupivacaine
Mepivacaine
Ropivacaine
Prilocaine
Action /category M/A
Local
anaesthetic
Blocks Na ion influx
/movements-reduces
depolarisation of
ventricles, refractory
period, duration of
action potential- This
block stops nerve
conductance and
prevents further
signals reaching the
brain.
Disease
Hemorrhoids,
Perianal pain,
Itching,
Pupil dilatation,
Ventricular-
fibrillation,
Tachycardia,
Surgery,
Esters
Amides
why lidocaine with epinephrine?
For loss of feeling (numbness)
The use of local anesthetic agents WITHOUT Epinephrine produces a significantly SHORTER duration
of action. Lidocaine with Epinephrine should provide adequate anesthesia for AT LEAST 3 HOURS.

9. Suffix Drug
-capone
Entacapone
Tolcapone
Action /category M/A
COMT inhibitors
(catechol-o-
methyl
transferase)
COMT inhibitor
drug inhibits the
enzyme COMT.
COMT inhibitors
are indicated in
combination with
levodopa to
inhibit it’s
peripheral
metabolism.
Disease
Parkinson's disease,

10. Suffix Drug
-cillin
Penicillin G
Penicillin v
Amphicillin
Amoxicillin
Piperacillin
Methicillin
Action /category M/A
Antibiotic
Inhibits cross-
linking of
peptidoglycan
production
through
inactivation trans
peptidase- inhibit
cell wall synthesis.
Disease
Meningitis ,
Anthrax,
Pneumonia,
Bacterial-
Endocarditis,
Septicemia,
Diphtheria,
Syphilis,
Gonorrhea,
Cellulitis,
Lung abscess,
Septic arthritis,
Gangrene,
botulism,

11. Suffix Drug
-cycline
Tetracycline
Oxytetracycline
Chlortetracycline
Doxycycline
Minocycline
Action /category M/A
Antibiotic
Binding to 30S
subunits of
ribosome- blocks
tRNA binding -
inhibit protein
synthesis
Disease
Acne,
Lyme disease,
Gonorrhea,
Syphilis,
Psittacosis,
Q fever,
Pleural effusions,
Trachoma,
Lymphogranuloma
venereum,
Nongonococcal
urethritis.
Tetracyclines cannot be taken with milk and coating drug (gelatin) because the calcium in the milk binds the antibiotic and prevents gut
absorption. Gelatin forms mask and reduce effect.
Antacids containing Mg,Al, Ca, sodium bicarbonate, calcium supplements, Zn, Fe products, and laxatives containing magnesium interfere
with tetracycline, making it less effective.
why tetracycline is given with hydrochloric acid? Answer: So that drug reduces basicity and become slightly acidic.

12. Suffix Drug
-dipine
Nifedipine
Amlodipine
Felodipine
Nicardipine
Action /category M/A
Vasodilator
Blocks calcium
channel (CCB)-
Relaxes peripheral
& coronary blood
vessels-
vasodilation
Disease
Hypertension,
Angina,
Stroke,
Raynaud’s disease,
Atherosclerosis,

13. Suffix Drug
-floxacin
Ciprofloxacin
Moxifloxacin
Norfloxacin
Ofloxacin
Levofloxacin
Nalidixic acid
Action /category M/A
Antibiotic
inhibit DNA
gyrase- Breakage
of double
stranded DNA-
inhibit DNA
reproduction
Disease
Cystic fibrosis,
intra-abdominal infections,
Meningitis,
Peritonitis,
Endocarditis,
Anthrax,
Otitis media,
Otitis externa,
Septicaemia,
Respiratory tract infection RTI,
Urinary tract infection UTI,
Biliary tract infection BTI,
Cystitis,
Gonorrhea,
Nosocomial pneumonia,
Enteric fever, Typhoid,
Bone-joint infection,
Q fever, spotted fever,
Surgical prophylaxis,
Gastroenteritis,
Sinusitis,
Cat scratch disease,
Typhus,
Chancroid brucellosis,

14. Suffix Drug
-formin Metformin,
Action /category M/A
Antidiabetic
Antihyperglycaemic
Metformin
decreases hepatic
glucose production,
decreases intestinal
absorption of
glucose, and
improves insulin
sensitivity by
increasing
peripheral glucose
uptake and
utilization.
Disease
Diabetes mellitus-
DM 2
polycystic ovarian
syndrome,

15. Suffix Drug
-glinide
Repaglinide,
Nateglinide,
Action /category M/A
Antidiabetic
Meglitinide
Lowers blood
glucose levels by
blocking ATP-
dependent
potassium
channels in
pancreatic beta
cells, which in
turn, stimulates
insulin secretion.
Disease
Diabetes mellitus-
DM 2

16. Suffix Drug
-gliptin
Sitagliptin,
Saxagliptin,
Action /category M/A
Antidiabeteic
dipeptidyl
peptidase-4
(DPP-4) inhibitor
acts by preventing
the degradation of
glucagon-like
peptide – 1 and
hence increases
secretion of
insulin and
decreases
secretion of
glucagon.
Disease
Diabetes mellitus-
DM 2

17. Suffix Drug
-gilline
Selegilline,
Rasagilline,
Action /category M/A
MAO B inhibitor
(Monoamine
Oxidase B)
Monoamine oxidase B is an
enzyme involved in the
metabolism of dopamine. It
converts dopamine to its
corresponding carboxylic acid
via an aldehyde intermediate.
MAOB inhibitors bind to and
inhibit MAOB, preventing
dopamine degradation. Thus
inhibit metabolism of
dopamine.
Disease
Parkinson’s disease

18. Suffix Drug
-lukast
Montelukast,
Zafirlukast,
Action /category M/A
Leukotriene
receptor
antagonist
Antihistamine
works by blocking
the action of
leukotriene D4 in
the lungs resulting
in decreased
inflammation and
relaxation of
smooth muscle.
Disease
Asthma,
Allergic rhinitis,

19. Suffix Drug
-mab
Rituximab,
Cituximab,
Abciximab,
Omalizumab,
Trastuzumab,
Action /category M/A
Antirheumatic
Anticancer
Monoclonal –
antibody
Targeting the
CD20 (pan-B cell
antigen) antigen
on normal and
malignant B-cells.
Then the body's
natural immune
defenses are
recruited to attack
and kill the
marked B-cells.
Disease
Non-Hodgkin’s
lymphoma,
Follicular lymphoma

20. Suffix Drug
-metazoline
Oxymetazoline
Xylometazoline
Action /category M/A
Nasal
decongestants
Binds to and activates
alpha-2 adrenergic
receptors. Upon nasal
or ocular
administration,
constricts the
arterioles in the nose
and eye, resulting in
decreased nasal and
conjunctival
congestion.
Disease
Sinusitis,
Hay fever,
Common cold,
conjunctival
decongestant,
Rhinitis,
Nasal congestion,

21. Suffix Drug
-nidazole
Metronidazole,
Tinidazole,
Ornidazole,
Action /category M/A
Anti-diarrhoeal
Antiprotozoal
Converted to
reduction products
that interact w/DNA
to cause
destruction of
helical DNA
structure & strand
leading to protein
synthesis inhibition
& cell death in
susceptible
organism.
Disease
Pneumonia,
Giardiasis,
Peptic ulcer disease-PUD,
Peritonitis,
H pylori infection,
Septicemia,
Rosacea,
Endometritis,
Lung abscess,
Empyema,
Bone & joint infection,
Surgical prophylaxis,
Amoebiasis,
Bacterial vaginosis,
Balantidiasis,
Blastocystis hominis infection,
Trichomoniasis,
Dental infection,
Gingivitis,
Colitis,
Fungating tumours,
Leg ulcer & pressure sore,
Diverticulitis,
Diabetic foot ulcer,
Endocarditis,
Meningitis & brain abscesses,

22. Suffix Drug
-olol
Propanolol,
Nadolol,
Timolol,
Atenolol,
Bisoprolol,
Nebivolol,
Betaxolol,
Metoprolol,
Esmolol,
Action /category M/A
Beta-blocker
inhibits the
sympathetic
nervous system by
blocking the beta-
receptors on the
nerves.
Disease
Hypertension-HTN,
Migraine,
Arrhythmias,
Angina pectoris,
Myocardial infraction MI,
Glaucoma,
Ocular hypertension,
Congestive heart failure-CHF,
Tremor,
Hyperthiroidism,

23. Suffix Drug
-penem
Imipenem,
Meropenem,
Doripenem,
Ertapenem
Action /category M/A
Antibiotic
Binds to penicillin
binding protein
(PBP) –Inhibits
transpeptidase of
peptidoglycan
synthesis in
bacterial cell wall.
Disease
Bacterial infection,
Septicemia,
Pneumonia,
UTI,
Pyelonephritis,
Diabetic foot
infection,
Meningitis,
Cystic fibrosis,
Bone-joint infection,
Skin infection,
Gonorrhea

24. Suffix Drug
-platin
Cisplatin,
Carboplatin,
Oxaliplatin,
Action /category M/A
Anticancer
Modify cell cycle
by interfering DNA
–prominent
during S phase-
cells are killed at
all stages.
Disease
Lymphomas,
Sarcomas,
Carcinomas,
Lung cancer,
Tumors,
Bladder cancer,

25. Suffix Drug
-prazole
Omeprazole,
Rabeprazole,
Pantoprazole,
Lansoprazole,
Aripiprazole,
Action /category M/A
PPI
Proton pump
inhibitor
Blocks H+/k+
ATase enzyme of
parietal cell – both
basal & stimulated
acid are inhibited
Disease
H. Pylori infection,
Peptic ulcer (PUD)
GI reflux,
Zollinger Ellison
syndrome,
Dyspepsia,
Oesophagitis,

26. Suffix Drug
-pril
Captopril,
Ramipril,
Lisinopril,
Enalapril,
Perindopril,
Action /category M/A
Angiotensin-
converting
enzyme (ACE)
inhibitor
Inhibits the
conversion of
Angiotensin-I (AT-
I) to Angiotensin-II
(AT-II) - Reduced
aldosterone
secretion –
increase plasma
renin activity-
decreased Na and
water retention -
vasodilation
Disease
HTN,
CHF,
MI,
Diabetic
nephropathy,
Heart failure,
Stroke,

27. Suffix Drug
-quine
Chloroquine,
Mefloquine,
Primaquine,
Tafenoquine,
Action /category M/A
Antimalarial
Influences Hb
digestion by
increasing
intravasicular pH
in malaria parasite
cell- suppressive
Disease
Malaria,
Systemic lupus
erythematosus
(SLE),
Rheumatoid
arthritis,

28. Suffix Drug
-rubicin
Doxorubicin,
Danuorubicin,
Epirubicin,
Idarubicin,
Action /category M/A
antibiotic
Forms stable
complex with DNA
& interferes with
nucleic acid
synthesis-
cytotoxic in S
phase-
immunosuppressa
nt & antibacterial
effect.
Disease
Leukaemia,
AIDS –related
Kaposi’s sarcoma,
Carcinoma,
Breast cancer,
Myeloma,
Lymphoma,

29. Suffix Drug
-sartan
Losartan,
Valsartan,
Olmesartan,
Telmisartan,
Azilsartan,
Candesartan,
Eprosartan,
Irbesartan,
Action /category M/A
Antihypertensive,
Angiotensin-ii
receptor blocker
blocks the
vasoconstrictor and
aldosterone-secreting
effects of angiotensin II
by inhibiting the binding
of angiotensin II to the
AT 1 receptor.
AT 1 receptor blockade
results in an increase in
plasma renin activity
(PRA) followed by
increases in plasma
angiotensin II
concentration.
Disease
HTN,
strokes,
Heart attacks,
Diabetes nephropathy,
Heart failure,

30. Suffix Drug
-setron
Ondansetron,
Palonosetron,
Granisetron,
Tropisetron,
Dolasetron,
Action /category M/A
antiemetic
works by blocking
the action of
serotonin 5-
HT3 receptor, a
natural substance
that may cause
nausea and
vomiting.
Disease
Nausea,
Vomiting,
nausea and
vomiting caused by
cancer
chemotherapy,
radiation therapy,
and surgery.

31. Suffix Drug
-statin
Atorvastatin,
Fluvastatin,
Nystatin,
Rosuvastatin,
Simvastatin,
Somatostatin,
Pitavastatin,
Action /category M/A
Antihypercholeste
rolemia
work by competitively
blocking the active site
of the first and key
rate-limiting enzyme in
the mevalonate
pathway, HMG-CoA
reductase. Inhibition
of this site prevents
substrate access,
thereby blocking the
conversion of HMG-
CoA to mevalonic acid.
Disease
Primary hypercholes
terolaemia,
Mixed dyslipidemia,
CVS event
prevention,

32. Suffix Drug
-tecan
Irinotecan,
Deruxtecan,
Topotecan,
Action /category M/A
Topoisomerase-I
inhibitor
inhibits the action of
topoisomerase-I.
prevents religation of the
DNA strand by binding to
topoisomerase I-DNA
complex. The formation
of this ternary complex
interferes with the
moving replication fork,
which induces
replication arrest and
lethal double-stranded
breaks in DNA.
Disease
Carcinoma of
colon/rectum,

33. Suffix Drug
-thiazide
Hydrochlorothiazide,
Chlorothiazide,
Bendroflumethiazide,
Action /category M/A
Diuretics
inhibiting
reabsorption of
sodium (Na+) and
chloride (Cl−) ions
from the distal
convoluted tubules
in the kidneys by
blocking
the thiazide-
sensitive Na+-
Cl− symporter.
Disease
congestive heart failure,
Oedema,
heart failure,
cirrhosis,
chronic kidney failure,
corticosteroid
medications,
nephrotic syndrome.
HTN,

34. Suffix Drug
-thromycin
Azithromycin,
Erythromycin,
Clarithromycin,
Roxithromycin,
Action /category M/A
Antibiotic,
Macrolide
binds to the 50S
subunit of the
bacterial
ribosome, thus
inhibiting
translation of
mRNA. Nucleic
acid synthesis is
not affected.
Disease
Salmonellosis,
Cervicitis,
Babesiosis,
Otitis media,
Tonsillitis,
Gonorrhea,
Chancroid,
Pelvic inflammatory
disease-PID,
COPD,
Endocarditis,
UTI,
pneumonia,
Sinusitis,
skin infections,
Lyme disease,
sexually transmitted
infections.

35. Suffix Drug
-tidine
Cimetidine,
Famotidine,
Ranitidine,
Action /category M/A
H2 antagonist
Disease

36. Suffix Drug
-triptan
Sumatriptan,
Rizatriptan,
Almotriptan
Zolmitriptan
Action /category M/A
5-HT agonist
Selective
serotonin agonist
which acts on the
5-HT 1 receptors
& produces cranial
vasodilation.
Disease
Migraine,
Headache,

37. Suffix Drug
-vir Acyclovir,
Oseltamivir,
Valganciclovir,
Valacyclovir,
Tenofovir,
Sofosbuvir,
Adefovir,
Entecavir,
Famciclovir,
Ganciclovir,
Ribavir,
Zidovudine,
Lamivudine,
Action /category M/A
Anti-viral
inhibits some
stage of the virus
replication cycle,
competitively
inhibits viral DNA
polymerase by
acting as an
analog to
deoxyguanosine
triphosphate
(dGTP).
Disease
cold sores,
Shingles,
Chickenpox,
genital herpes,
Influenza,
Hepatitis B, C,

38. Suffix Drug
-zolamide
Acetazolamide,
Brinzolamide,
Dorozolamide,
Action /category M/A
Carbonic
anhydrase
inhibitor
inhibiting
the angiotensin
converting
enzyme responsible
for the conversion
of angiotensin I to
angiotensin II.
Angiotensin II is a
vasoconstrictor
causes to increase
in blood pressure.
Disease
Glaucoma,
Mountain sickness,
Epilepsy,
HTN,
Idiopathic
intracranial,
Cardiac edema,

39. Suffix Drug Action /category M/A Disease

40. Thankyou

41. Created by_
Md. Jahidul islam
Department of pharmacy
Jashore university of science & technology