Common Drug Suffixes (Part 3)

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 the suffixes for drug classes and their use.

Quick Review for the Quiz
Suffix Clinical Use Sample Generic Drugs
-cillin antibiotic (antibacterial) amoxicillin, ampicillin, dicloxacillin, nafcillin and oxacillin
-eprazole, -oprazole reduce stomach acid esomeprazole, omeprazole, rabeprazole, dexlansoprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole
-fenac non-steroidal anti-inflammatory bromfenac, diclofenac and nepafenac
-lamide diurectic (increases urine production) acetazolamide, brinzolamide, dorzolamide and methazolamide
-nazole antifungal fluconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, terconazole, tioconazole
-pril antihypertensive benazepril, captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, moexipril, ramipril
-semide diurectic (increases urine production) furosemide, torsemide
-terol bronchodilator (anti-asthma) albuterol, arformoterol, formoterol, levalbuterol, salmeterol
-trel synthetic female hormone desogestrel, etonogestrel, levonorgestrel and norgestrel

  • Question of

    Suffix for proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

    • -eprazole
    • -tyline
    • -dipine
    • -terol

    Correct Wrong

    -eprazole and -oprazole are suffix terms for proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduce stomach acid production in the stomach lining and are common treatment for heartburn and acid-related problems. Drugs such as esomeprazole (shown in the image), omeprazole, rabeprazole, dexlansoprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole are some examples of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

  • Question of

    Suffix for ACE inhibitors.

    • -pril
    • -terol
    • -statin
    • -onide

    Correct Wrong

    -pril is the suffix term for ACE inhibitors. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors lower blood pressure by dilating veins and arteries. Drugs such as benazepril (shown in the image), captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, moexipril and ramipril are some examples of (ACE) inhibitors.

  • Question of

    Suffix for carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.

    • -lamide
    • -cillin
    • -zolam
    • -fenac

    Correct Wrong

    -lamide is the suffix term for carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors belong to the diuretic class of medicines and are commonly used to treat glaucoma. Drugs such as acetazolamide (shown in the image), brinzolamide, dorzolamide and methazolamide are some examples of carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.

  • Question of

    Suffix for female hormone (progestin).

    • -trel
    • -nazole
    • -cillin
    • -lamide

    Correct Wrong

    -trel is the suffix term for female hormone (progestin). Progestin is a drug whose effects are similar to those of the female hormone progesterone commonly used in hormonal birth control, amenorrhea (absence of periods), and irregular menstruation. Drugs such as desogestrel (shown in the image), etonogestrel, levonorgestrel and norgestrel are some examples of female hormone (progestin).

  • Question of

    Suffix for antifungal.

    • -nazole
    • -tyline
    • -vudine
    • -ridone

    Correct Wrong

    -nazole is the suffix term for antifungal. Antifungal medications have been used to treat a number of fungal infections such as ring worms and athlete's foot. Drugs such as fluconazole (shown in the image), ketoconazole, miconazole, terconazole and tioconazole are some examples of antifungals.

  • Question of

    Suffix for penicillin antibiotic.

    • -cillin
    • -zodone
    • -pramine
    • -pril

    Correct Wrong

    -cillin is the suffix term for penicillin antibiotics. The penicillins are a class of antibiotics (antibacterials) that can treat a lot of bacterial infections.  Drugs such as amoxicillin (shown in the image), ampicillin, dicloxacillin, nafcillin and oxacillin are some examples of penicillins.

  • Question of

    Suffix for beta2-agonists; bronchodilator.

    • -terol
    • -zepam
    • -triptan
    • -nacin

    Correct Wrong

    -terol is the suffix term for beta2-agonist (bronchodilator). A beta2-agonist is a type of medication that belongs to the class of bronchodilators used for the treatment of asthma. Drugs such as albuterol (shown in the image), arformoterol, formoterol, levalbuterol and salmeterol are some examples of beta2-agonist.

  • Question of

    Suffix for loop diuretic (water pill).

    • -semide
    • -oprazole
    • -tinib
    • -phylline

    Correct Wrong

    -semide is the suffix term for loop diuretic (water pill). Loop diuretics increase urine flow (diuresis) to treat edema caused by heart failure, liver disease, and kidney disease. Drugs such as furosemide (shown in the image) and torsemide are some examples of loop diuretic (water pill).

  • Question of

    Suffix for NSAID.

    • -fenac
    • -dronate
    • -bital
    • -mustine

    Correct Wrong

    -fenac is the suffix term for NSAID. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and lower body temperature. Drugs such as bromfenac (shown in the image), diclofenac and nepafenac are some examples of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).