Pharmacology Prefixes & Suffixes Cheat Sheet 2025:...

I. Introduction: Why Drug Name Patterns Matter

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’ve never seen a drug name before.

This cheat sheet organizes high‑yield prefixes and suffixes into an easy‑reference table, complete with mnemonics and nursing considerations. Use it alongside your dosing‑calculation practice and med‑surg reviews to build a solid pharmacology foundation.

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II. High‑Yield Prefixes & Suffixes Table

Suffix/Prefix	Drug Class	Key Uses	Top Side Effects	Quick Mnemonic
‑pril	ACE inhibitors	HTN, HF, nephropathy	Cough, hyper‑K⁺, angioedema	“APRIL – cough in April”
‑sartan	ARBs	HTN, HF	Hyper‑K⁺, angioedema (rare)	“S‑ARTAN 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	↓ Mg²⁺/Ca²⁺, 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	H₂ 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‑K⁺	“IDE: insulin, diuretics eventually”

III. 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 & K⁺ levels: Hyperkalemia is a major risk.
Monitor renal function: Watch BUN/creatinine.
Warn about angioedema: Life‑threatening swelling—teach patients to seek help if tongue or lips swell.
Avoid in pregnancy: Teratogenic.

IV. Beta‑Blockers: Cardioselective vs. Non‑selective

Cardioselective (β₁) agents like aten‑olol affect the heart more than the lungs, while non‑selective drugs like propran‑olol block β₁ and β₂, risking bronchospasm. Use caution in asthmatics and diabetics (masking of hypoglycemia). Check HR and BP prior to each dose; hold if HR < 60 bpm or SBP < 90 mmHg.

V. Statins: Myopathy & Liver Monitoring

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

VI. Proton Pump Inhibitors vs. H₂ Blockers

PPIs (‑prazole) irreversibly inhibit gastric H⁺/K⁺ ATPase pumps, reducing acid >90 %. Long‑term use can decrease calcium and magnesium, leading to fractures and seizures. H₂ blockers (‑tidine) reduce acid 60 % by blocking histamine receptors on parietal cells—fewer side effects but less potent.

VII. Antibiotic Clues: Cephalosporins, Penicillins & Fluoroquinolones

Cephalosporins: “Cef‑ keeps infection in check.” Cross‑allergy with penicillin—watch for rash/anaphylaxis.
Penicillins: “CILL kills bacteria.” Main risk is allergy; instruct clients to finish all doses even if feeling better.
Fluoroquinolones: Black‑box warning for tendon rupture—avoid heavy exercise; separate from antacids.

VIII. Antifungals & Antivirals

‑azole antifungals inhibit ergosterol synthesis; monitor liver enzymes.
‑vir / ‑avir antivirals target viral enzymes; common side effects include nephrotoxicity (e.g., acyclovir) and GI upset.

IX. Monoclonal Antibodies (‑mab): Precision but Pricey

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

X. Quick Mnemonics for Rapid Recall

Class	Mnemonic	Meaning
ACE Inhibitors	“ACE î coughs”	ACE inhibitors → cough
Beta‑Blockers	“B‑Blockers Block Beats”	Slows HR & contractility
Statins	“STATIN Saves The Arteries”	Cholesterol‑lowering
Fluoroquinolones	“FLOX flops tendons”	Tendon rupture risk
PPIs	“PRAZOLE for the acid hole”	Ulcer/GERD treatment

XI. Nursing Considerations & Patient Education

Check vital signs & labs before admin: HR for beta‑blockers, BP for antihypertensives, liver enzymes for statins.
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.
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 grapefruit interactions with statins and CCBs.

XII. Final Thoughts & Further Resources

Learning drug suffixes and prefixes transforms pharmacology from a memorization marathon into a pattern‑recognition game. Use this cheat sheet to identify medication classes in practice questions, anticipate side effects, and choose interventions. Bookmark the placeholder link above; once the full guide is live, you’ll gain access to printable charts and expanded practice scenarios.

Explore more GoodNurse resources to deepen your knowledge:

Electrolyte Imbalances Cheat Sheet: Quickly identify electrolytes, like hyper‑ and hypo‑states.
Cardiac Arrhythmias Cheat Sheet: Master ECG interpretations and other cardiac signs.
Best Nursing Mnemonics for NCLEX Success: Memory hacks for complex topics.
Med‑Surg Systems Review: Systems‑based overview for fast refresh.

With consistent practice and pattern recognition, pharmacology becomes less about rote memory and more about logical deduction—an essential skill for the NCLEX and safe patient care.