Common Drug Suffixes (Part 2)

By taking this quiz, you will become familiar with the common suffixes of drugs. When you have this understanding, you will be able to recognize a drug class and its use.

Quick Review for the Quiz
Suffix Clinical Use Sample Generic Drugs
-floxacin antibiotic (antibacterial) besifloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin and ofloxacin
-mycin antibiotic (antibacterial) azithromycin, clarithromycin, clindamycin, erythromycin
-nacin anticholinergic darifenacin, solifenacin
-olol antihypertensive atenolol, metoprolol, nadolol, pindolol, propranolol, timolol 
-onide anti-inflammatory budesonide, ciclesonide, desonide, fluocinonide, halcinonide
-parin reduces blood clotting dalteparin, enoxaparin, fondaparinux, heparin, tinzaparin
-profen non-steroidal anti-inflammatory fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen
-tyline antidepressant amitriptyline, nortriptyline, protriptyline
-zolam treats insomnia alprazolam, estazolam, midazolam, triazolam
-zosin antihypertensive alfuzosin, doxazosin, prazosin, terazosin

  • Question of

    Suffix for an antibiotic; antibacterial.

    • -mycin
    • -tadine
    • -onide
    • -parin

    Correct Wrong

    -mycin is a suffix term for antibiotic. Antibiotics, also called antibacterials, destroy or slow down the growth of bacteria. Drugs such as azithromycin (shown in the image), clarithromycin, clindamycin and erythromycin are some examples of antibiotics.

  • Question of

    Suffix for antithrombotic; anticoagulant (blood thinner).

    • -parin
    • -iramine
    • -statin
    • -mustine

    Correct Wrong

    -parin is a suffix term for antithrombotic. The antithrombotic drug belongs to the anticoagulant class that reduces blood clotting. Drugs such as dalteparin (shown in the image), enoxaparin, fondaparinux, heparin and tinzaparin are some examples of antithrombotic.

  • Question of

    Suffix for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

    • -profen
    • -tadine
    • -bicin
    • -thiazide

    Correct Wrong

    -profen is a suffix term for NSAID. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and lower body temperature. Drugs such as fenoprofen (shown in the image), flurbiprofen, ibuprofen and ketoprofen are some examples of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

  • Question of

    Suffix for benzodiazepine.

    • -zolam
    • -profen
    • -bital
    • -iramine

    Correct Wrong

    -zolam is a suffix term for benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines belong to a class of drugs known as tranquilizers used for treating insomnia. Drugs such as alprazolam (shown in the image), estazolam, midazolam and triazolam are some examples of benzodiazepines.

  • Question of

    Suffix for the muscarinic antagonist (anticholinergic).

    • -nacin
    • -triptan
    • -oprazole
    • -zodone

    Correct Wrong

    -nacin is a suffix term for muscarinic antagonist (anticholinergic). Muscarinic antagonist is a type of anticholinergic drug that blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, used for treating nausea, motion sickness, and stomach ulcers. Drugs such as darifenacin (shown in the image) and solifenacin are some examples of muscarinic antagonist.

  • Question of

    Suffix for beta-blocker.

    • -olol
    • -tadine
    • -thiazide
    • -tyline

    Correct Wrong

    -olol is a suffix term for beta-blocker. Beta-blockers, also called beta-adrenergic blocking agents, lower blood pressure. Drugs such as atenolol (shown in the image), metoprolol, nadolol, pindolol, propranolol and timolol are some examples of beta-blocker.

  • Question of

    Suffix for corticosteroid.

    • -onide
    • -parin
    • -vudine
    • -ridone

    Correct Wrong

    -onide is a suffix term for corticosteroid. Corticosteroids treat inflammation.  Drugs such as budesonide (shown in the image), ciclesonide, desonide, fluocinonide, halcinonide are some examples of beta-blocker.

  • Question of

    Suffix for tricyclic antidepressant (TCA).

    • -tyline
    • -vudine
    • -mab
    • -dronate

    Correct Wrong

    -tyline is a suffix term for tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) belong to a class of antidepressants that is used in the treatment of depression. Drugs such as amitriptyline (shown in the image), nortriptyline and protriptyline are some examples of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA).

  • Question of

    Suffix for quinolone antibiotic.

    • -floxacin
    • -eprazole
    • -caine
    • -tyline

    Correct Wrong

    -floxacin is a suffix term for quinolone antibiotics. Quinolones are classified as antibiotics (antibacterials) that are used to treat a wide range of infections. Drugs such as besifloxacin (shown in the image), ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin and ofloxacin are some examples of quinolone antibiotics.

  • Question of

    Suffix for alpha-blocker.

    • -zosin
    • -vudine
    • -dazole
    • -dipine

    Correct Wrong

    -zosin is a suffix term for alpha-blocker. Alpha blockers lower blood pressure by blocking a hormone called norepinephrine from constricting smaller blood vessels and arteries. Drugs such as alfuzosin (shown in the image), doxazosin, prazosin and terazosin are some examples of alpha blockers.