Drug Suffix Cheat Sheet for the PTCB Exam

Why Drug Suffixes Are Your Secret Weapon

Learning drug suffixes is the single most efficient study strategy for the PTCB certification exam. When you know that all ACE inhibitors end in -pril, you can immediately identify lisinopril, enalapril, benazepril, and ramipril as the same class, even if you have never studied those specific drugs. This guide covers every high-yield suffix you need for exam day.

Cardiovascular Drug Suffixes

• -pril: ACE inhibitors (lisinopril, enalapril, benazepril) - treat hypertension; dry cough side effect
• -sartan: ARBs (losartan, valsartan, irbesartan) - treat hypertension; no cough
• -olol: Beta blockers (metoprolol, atenolol, propranolol) - treat hypertension, heart rate control
• -dipine: Dihydropyridine CCBs (amlodipine, nifedipine) - treat hypertension; peripheral edema
• -statin: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin) - lower cholesterol; myopathy risk

Diabetes Drug Suffixes

• -gliptin: DPP-4 inhibitors (sitagliptin, saxagliptin) - oral diabetes medications
• -glutide: GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide, liraglutide) - injectable diabetes and weight loss
• -gliflozin: SGLT2 inhibitors (empagliflozin, dapagliflozin) - oral diabetes with CV benefits

Antibiotic Suffixes

• -cillin: Penicillins (amoxicillin, ampicillin) - broad-spectrum antibiotics
• -mycin/-micin: Aminoglycosides (gentamicin, tobramycin) - nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity risk
• -cycline: Tetracyclines (doxycycline, minocycline) - avoid in children under 8
• -floxacin: Fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin) - tendon rupture risk
• -azole: Azole antifungals (fluconazole, ketoconazole) - liver toxicity concern

CNS Drug Suffixes

• -pam/-lam: Benzodiazepines (diazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam) - Schedule IV controlled substances
• -triptan: Migraine medications (sumatriptan, rizatriptan) - serotonin agonists
• -done: Some opioids (methadone, hydrocodone) - controlled substances

GI Drug Suffixes

• -prazole: Proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, pantoprazole) - acid suppression; take before meals
• -tidine: H2 blockers (famotidine, ranitidine) - acid reduction
• -setron: 5-HT3 antagonists (ondansetron) - anti-nausea

Other Important Suffixes

• -sone/-solone: Corticosteroids (prednisone, prednisolone) - anti-inflammatory
• -mab: Monoclonal antibodies (adalimumab, infliximab) - biologic medications
• -parin: Anticoagulants (heparin, enoxaparin) - blood thinners
• -terol: Beta-2 agonists (albuterol, salmeterol) - bronchodilators
• -asone/-onide: Topical corticosteroids (betamethasone, triamcinolone) - skin conditions

How to Study Drug Suffixes

1. Create flashcards with the suffix on one side and the drug class, example drugs, and key facts on the other
2. Group suffixes by body system to create mental categories
3. Practice identifying drug classes from generic names in PTCB practice questions
4. Review the Top 200 Drugs flashcards with suffix awareness

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