Pharmacology Made Easy: Drug Charts, Suffixes & NCLEX Questions

Pharmacology Made Easy: Drug Charts, Suffixes & NCLEX
Questions
Table of Contents
1. Common Drug Suffixes & Classifications
2. Major Drug Categories & Charts
3. Key Pharmacology Concepts
4. NCLEX-Style Practice Questions
5. Quick Reference Tables


Drug Suffixes & Classifications {#drug-suffixes}
Cardiovascular Medications

Suffix Drug Class Example Action

Block conversion of
-pril ACE Inhibitors Lisinopril
angiotensin I to II

- ARBs (Angiotensin Block angiotensin II
Losartan
sartan Receptor Blockers) receptors

Block beta-adrenergic
-olol Beta Blockers Metoprolol
receptors

-
Calcium Channel Blockers Amlodipine Block calcium channels
dipine

, Suffix Drug Class Example Action

HMG-CoA Reductase Lower cholesterol
-statin Atorvastatin
Inhibitors synthesis

Antibiotics

Suffix Drug Class Example Mechanism

Inhibit cell wall
-cillin Penicillins Amoxicillin
synthesis

Gentamicin, Inhibit protein
-mycin Aminoglycosides/Macrolides
Erythromycin synthesis

Inhibit DNA
-floxacin Fluoroquinolones Ciprofloxacin
gyrase

Inhibit protein
-cycline Tetracyclines Doxycycline
synthesis

-cef, - Inhibit cell wall
Cephalosporins Cephalexin
ceph synthesis

CNS Medications

Suffix Drug Class Example Use

-pam, - Lorazepam,
Benzodiazepines Anxiety/sedation
lam Diazepam

Various CNS Trazodone,
-pine Depression/psychosis
drugs Risperidone