Pharmacology Prefixes & Suffixes Cheat Sheet (2026...

✅ Updated March 2026 — Reflects the April 1 NCLEX test plan update. See all 2026 NCLEX changes →

The NCLEX tests your ability to recognize medication classes, anticipate side effects, and implement safe interventions. Fortunately, many drugs share characteristic prefixes or suffixes that reveal their pharmacologic family — -pril for ACE inhibitors, -olol for beta-blockers, -statin for cholesterol-lowering agents. Memorizing these patterns lets you think critically even if you have never seen a drug name before.

This pharmacology prefixes and suffixes cheat sheet organizes high-yield patterns into an easy-reference table, complete with mnemonics and nursing considerations. Use it alongside our Pharmacology Mnemonics Cheat Sheet for a complete pharm review.

🎯 Free NCLEX quiz!
Test your pharm knowledge after reading:
Cardiac Medications Quiz • Dosage Calculations Quiz • All Free Quizzes →

📄 Want a printable version? Use your browser’s Print function (Ctrl+P / Cmd+P) and select “Save as PDF” to create a portable study sheet you can review anywhere.

High-Yield Prefixes and Suffixes Table
ACE Inhibitors vs. ARBs
Beta-Blockers: Cardioselective vs. Non-Selective
Statins: Myopathy and Liver Monitoring
Proton Pump Inhibitors vs. H2 Blockers
Antibiotic Clues: Cephalosporins, Penicillins, and Fluoroquinolones
Antifungals and Antivirals
Monoclonal Antibodies
Quick Mnemonics for Rapid Recall
Nursing Considerations and Patient Education
NCLEX Practice Questions
Further Reading

High-Yield Prefixes and Suffixes Table

Scan this table before any exam or clinical shift. Each suffix or prefix tells you the drug class, and that tells you the side effects to watch for.

Suffix / Prefix	Drug Class	Key Uses	Top Side Effects	Quick Mnemonic
-pril	ACE inhibitors	HTN, HF, nephropathy	Cough, hyper-K¹, angioedema	“APRIL – cough in April”
-sartan	ARBs	HTN, HF	Hyper-K¹, angioedema (rare)	“SARTAN skips the cough”
-olol / -lol	Beta-blockers	HTN, angina, arrhythmias	Bradycardia, bronchospasm	“LOL slows the heart”
-dipine	Dihydropyridine CCBs	HTN, angina	Hypotension, edema	“DIP into vessels”
-statin	HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors	Hyperlipidemia	Myopathy, ↑ LFTs	“STATIN saves the heart”
-prazole	Proton pump inhibitors	GERD, ulcers	↓ Mg²¹/Ca²¹, C. diff	“PRAZOLE for the acid hole”
cef- / ceph-	Cephalosporins	Broad-spectrum abx	GI upset, cross-PCN allergy	“CEFs fight infections”
-floxacin	Fluoroquinolones	Respiratory, UTI	Tendon rupture, photosensitivity	“FLOX – tendon flops”
-cillin	Penicillins	Strep, syphilis	Allergy, GI upset	“CILL kills bacteria”
-azole	Antifungals	Candidiasis	Hepatotoxicity, GI upset	“AZOLE for fungus hole”
-vir / -avir	Antivirals	HSV, HIV	Nephrotoxicity, GI upset	“VIR = virus fighter”
-mab	Monoclonal antibodies	Autoimmune, cancer	Infusion reactions, immunosuppression	“MAB snipers target disease”
-tidine	H&sub2; blockers	GERD, ulcers	↓ B12, confusion	“TIDINE dines out acid”
-gliptin	DPP-4 inhibitors	Type 2 DM	Pancreatitis, joint pain	“GLIP zips up sugar”
-ide / -zide	Sulfonylureas / Thiazides	DM 2 / HTN	Hypoglycemia / hypo-K¹	“IDE: insulin, diuretics eventually”

Tip: Pair this table with the detailed drug class mnemonics in our Pharmacology Mnemonics Cheat Sheet for deeper recall.

ACE Inhibitors vs. ARBs

Both classes lower blood pressure by disrupting the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS). ACE inhibitors block conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, leading to vasodilation and reduced aldosterone. ARBs block angiotensin II receptors directly, avoiding the bradykinin-mediated cough common with ACE inhibitors.

Key nursing tips: Check BP and K¹ levels — hyperkalemia is a major risk. Monitor renal function (BUN/creatinine). Warn patients about angioedema: life-threatening swelling of the tongue or lips requires immediate emergency care. Both classes are contraindicated in pregnancy. For a full breakdown with mnemonics, see the ACE inhibitors and ARBs section of our pharm mnemonics guide.

Lab reference: Potassium normal range is 3.5–5.0 mEq/L; creatinine is ~0.6–1.3 mg/dL. See the Lab Values Cheat Sheet for the complete BMP table.

Beta-Blockers: Cardioselective vs. Non-Selective

Cardioselective (β1) agents like atenolol affect the heart more than the lungs, while non-selective drugs like propranolol block β1 and β2, risking bronchospasm. Use caution in patients with asthma and diabetes (beta-blockers can mask hypoglycemia symptoms).

Check HR and BP prior to each dose. Hold if HR <60 bpm or SBP <90 mmHg. For arrhythmia patterns these drugs treat, see the Heart Rhythm Strips Cheat Sheet.

Statins: Myopathy and Liver Monitoring

Statins lower LDL and are first-line post-MI. Take at night (the liver produces most cholesterol overnight). Monitor CK for myopathy and AST/ALT for hepatotoxicity. Teach patients to report unexplained muscle pain immediately.

Lab reference: AST ~10–40 U/L, ALT ~7–56 U/L. See the Lab Values Cheat Sheet for the full CMP table with liver function ranges.

Proton Pump Inhibitors vs. H2 Blockers

PPIs (-prazole) irreversibly inhibit gastric H¹/K¹ ATPase pumps, reducing acid production by more than 90%. Long-term use can decrease calcium and magnesium, leading to fractures and seizures. H&sub2; blockers (-tidine) reduce acid about 60% by blocking histamine receptors on parietal cells — fewer side effects but less potent.

Antibiotic Clues: Cephalosporins, Penicillins, and Fluoroquinolones

Cephalosporins (cef-/ceph-): Cross-allergy with penicillin — always check allergy history and watch for rash or anaphylaxis.

Penicillins (-cillin): Main risk is allergy. Instruct patients to finish all doses even if feeling better.

Fluoroquinolones (-floxacin): Black-box warning for tendon rupture — avoid heavy exercise while on these drugs. Separate from antacids by at least 2 hours. See the Antibiotic Mnemonics section of our pharm mnemonics guide for aminoglycoside and fluoroquinolone memory tricks.

Antifungals and Antivirals

-azole antifungals inhibit ergosterol synthesis. Monitor liver enzymes (AST, ALT) throughout therapy.

-vir / -avir antivirals target viral enzymes. Common side effects include nephrotoxicity (especially acyclovir — hydrate well) and GI upset.

Monoclonal Antibodies (-mab)

Monoclonal antibodies bind specific targets — tumor cells, inflammatory mediators. Infusion reactions (fever, chills, hypotension) are common; premedicate with acetaminophen and antihistamines. Screen for latent infections (TB, hepatitis B) before starting therapy.

Quick Mnemonics for Rapid Recall

Class	Mnemonic	What It Means
ACE Inhibitors	“ACE ↑ coughs”	ACE inhibitors cause dry cough
Beta-Blockers	“B-Blockers Block Beats”	Slows HR and contractility
Statins	“STATIN Saves The Arteries”	Cholesterol-lowering
Fluoroquinolones	“FLOX flops tendons”	Tendon rupture risk
PPIs	“PRAZOLE for the acid hole”	Ulcer/GERD treatment
Anticoagulants	“PT = Pill, aPTT = Parenteral”	Warfarin vs. heparin monitoring

For the full collection of drug class mnemonics, see our Pharmacology Mnemonics Cheat Sheet.

Nursing Considerations and Patient Education

Check vital signs and labs before administration: HR for beta-blockers, BP for antihypertensives, liver enzymes for statins, potassium for ACE inhibitors and diuretics.

Monitor for allergic reactions: Especially with penicillins and cephalosporins. Have epinephrine ready.

Teach safe administration: Never crush extended-release capsules. Take statins at night. Space fluoroquinolones from antacids by 2 hours. Avoid grapefruit juice with statins and calcium channel blockers.

Pregnancy safety: ACE inhibitors and ARBs are contraindicated — switch to labetalol or methyldopa for hypertension in pregnancy.

Interprofessional collaboration: Pharmacists can check drug–drug interactions; dietitians can advise on dietary interactions.

NCLEX Practice Questions

Question 1. A nurse is reviewing a new prescription for a medication ending in “-sartan.” Which lab values should the nurse plan to monitor?

Show Answer

Potassium and creatinine. The -sartan suffix identifies an ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker). Like ACE inhibitors, ARBs can cause hyperkalemia and affect renal function. Normal K¹ is 3.5–5.0 mEq/L.

Question 2. A client is prescribed a medication ending in “-floxacin.” Which patient teaching is most important?

Show Answer

Report any tendon pain immediately and avoid strenuous exercise. The -floxacin suffix identifies a fluoroquinolone. These carry a black-box warning for tendon rupture and tendinitis. Also teach patients to avoid dairy and antacids close to dosing (chelation reduces absorption).

Question 3. A nurse is caring for a client on a medication ending in “-olol” who reports dizziness. Vital signs show HR 52 bpm, BP 88/56 mmHg. What is the priority action?

Show Answer

Hold the medication and notify the provider. The -olol suffix identifies a beta-blocker. With HR <60 bpm and hypotension, the drug should be held. These are expected side effects at excessive doses. Document findings and continue monitoring.

💪 Master every NCLEX topic with GoodNurse AI

2,500+ NCLEX-style questions with detailed rationales, adaptive difficulty, and AI-powered explanations that break down why each answer is right or wrong. Available in 10+ languages.

Under $10/month — no card needed to start.

Start Free Today →