Memory Aid For Generic Drug Names
Memory Aid For Generic Drug Names
Syllable in
Generic Name
-olol
-alol, -ilol
-terol
-zosin, -osin
-curium, -curine,
-curarine
-curonium
-choline
-chol
-stigmine
Interpretation
2-adrenergic blocker, antihypertensive and/or
antianginal
Combination alpha/beta blocker,
antihypertensive, heart failure treatment
2-adrenergic receptor type of bronchodilator
1-adrenoceptor selective antagonists,
antihypertensive;
Isoquinoline neuromuscular blocking agents
Steroid derivative neuromuscular blocking
agents
Cholinesterase sensitive choline ester
cholinergic agonists
Cholinesterase resistant choline ester
cholinergic receptor agonists`
Carbamate anticholinesterase inhibitors
* While this may not be an exhaustive list, every effort was made to be as inclusive as possible of drugs in each category that are
therapeutically used
Memory Aid for Cardiovascular Drugs by Generic Name Prefix, Root, or Suffix*
Syllable in
Generic Name
-semide, tanide
-pril,
-sartan
-tidine
-nidine
-triptan
nitr-, -nitr-afil
-dipine
-rinone
-phylline
-statin
-parin
-ase, -plase
-sentan
-afil
-gatran, -rudin
Interpretation
Loop diuretics, antihypertensive, heart failure
treatment
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitor, antihypertensive
Angiotensin II receptor antagonist,
antihypertensive
Histamine H2 receptor antagonist (GI),
antiulcer
Centrally acting antihypertensive drugs
Serotonin (5-HT1) agonist, antimigraine,
vascular headache suppressant
Nitrate, vasodilator, antianginal
Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, erectile
dysfunction treatment
Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker,
antianginal, antihypertensive
Phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitors, inodilators,
heart failure treatment
Xanthine type bronchodilator, antiasthmatic
HMG-Coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, lipid
lowering agent
Anticoagulant, heparin or heparinoid (all
LMWH only have parin)
Thrombolytic agent (-ase usually indicates
enzyme)
Endothelin receptor antagonist, vasodilator,
currently only approved for pulmonary
hypertension
Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, erectile
dysfunction treatment
Direct thrombin inhibitors, anticoagulants
* While this may not be an exhaustive list, every effort was made to be as inclusive as possible of drugs in each category that are
therapeutically used
Memory Aid for Pulmonary (Respiratory), Gastrointestinal Drugs by Generic Name Prefix,
Root, or Suffix*
Syllable in
Generic Name
-prazole
-phylline
-tropium
-lukast
-setron
-tidine
-pitant
-salazine
Asa, -asa
Interpretation
Proton pump inhibitors, anti-GERD and
antipeptic ulcer disease
Xanthine type of bronchodilator, antiasthmatic
Anticholinergic, muscarinic antagonists,
antiasthmatics
Leukotriene receptor antagonists,
antiasthmatics
Serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonists,
antiemetic and IBS treatment
H2 histamine receptor antagonists, anti-GERD
and anti-ulcer disease
Neurokinin receptor antagonists, anti-emetic,
possibly anxiolytic, antidepressant, antiosteoarthritic
AZO aminosalicylates, irritable bowel disease
(IBD)
Mesalamine compounds (5-ASA
formulations), IBD
* While this may not be an exhaustive list, every effort was made to be as inclusive as possible of drugs in each category that are
therapeutically used
Memory Aid for Chemotherapy Drugs by Generic Name Prefix, Root, or Suffix*
Syllable in
Generic Name
-cillin
cef-, ceph-
Interpretation
Penicillin, antibiotic; check allergy
-cycline
-onazole, -azole
-floxacin
Fluoroquinolone, antibiotic
-micin, -mycin
-thromycin
sulfa-ovir
Aminoglycoside, antibiotic
Macrolide, antibiotic
Sulfonamide, antibiotic; check allergy to
sulfa
Antiviral antiinfective (non-HIV)
-fungin
-quine
Echinocandin antifungal
Antimalarial
-rubicin
-otecan
-oposide
Vintine
-mustine
-taxel
-mab
-tinib, -fenib
-ifen, -ifene
-trozole
* While this may not be an exhaustive list, every effort was made to be as inclusive as possible of drugs in each category that are
therapeutically used
Memory Aid for Drugs Acting in the Central Nervous System by Generic Name Prefix, Root,
or Suffix*
Syllable in
Generic Name
-zepam, -zolam
-azine
-peridol
-caine
-ane
Interpretation
Benzodiazepine, antianxiety,
sedative/hypnotic
Phenothiazine dopamine receptor
antagonists, antipsychotic, antiemetic
Butyrphenones, dopamine receptor
antagonists, antipsychotic, antiemetic
Local anesthetics:
amino ester class has only 1 i in name
amino amide class has 2 is in name
-barbital
-pramine, -tyline
Tricyclic antidepressants
azodone
-azenil
* While this may not be an exhaustive list, every effort was made to be as inclusive as possible of drugs in each category that are
therapeutically used
Memory Aid for Endocrine and Anti-inflammatory Drugs by Generic Name Prefix, Root, or
Suffix*
Syllable in
Generic Name
-relin
-relix
-vaptan
-lutamide
-gliptin
-tide
sal-, -sal-sone, -lone,
pred-dronate
-glitazone
-asteride
-afil
Interpretation
Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists
Gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonists
(X is for blocker/antagonist)
ADH receptor blockers
Androgen receptor blockers
Oral hypoglycemic DPP-4 blockers
GLP-1 agonists (incretin-mimetics)
Contains salicylate; check allergy to
salicylates or aspirin
Corticosteroid, anti-inflammatory,
antiasthmatic, immunosuppressant
Bisphosphonate, bone resorption inhibitor
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor
gamma (PPAR) activators, antidiabetic
(Type II), plasma lipid lowering agents
5-alpha reductase inhibitors
PDE-5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction
* While this may not be an exhaustive list, every effort was made to be as inclusive as possible of drugs in each category that are
therapeutically used