By taking this quiz, you will become familiar with the common word parts that can be used as both prefixes, suffix or word roots for drug naming. When you have this understanding, you will be able to recognize the word parts, its drug class and its use.
Quick Review for the Quiz
| Suffix | Clinical Use | Sample Generic Drugs |
|---|---|---|
| cef-, ceph- | antibiotic (antibacterial) | cefaclor, cefdinir, cefixime, cefprozil, cephalexin |
| pred, pred- | anti-inflammatory | oteprednol, prednicarbate, prednisolone, prednisone |
| sulfa- | antibiotic (antibacterial) or anti-inflammatory | sulfacetamide, sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfasalazine |
| tretin-, tretin, -tretin | dermatologic agent | acitretin, alitretinoin, isotretinoin, tretinoin |
| vir, -vir | antiviral (anti-HIV) | abacavir, efavirenz, enfuvirtide, nevirapine, ritonavir, tenofovir |
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Question of
Word part for retinoid (dermatologic agent; a form of vitamin A).
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tretin
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pred
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vir
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cort
Correct Wrong
tretin-, tretin or -tretin is a word part for retinoid. A retinoid is a class of medication derived from vitamin A that is used to treat inflammatory skin disorders, skin cancer, and aging skin. Drugs such as acitretin (shown in the image), alitretinoin, isotretinoin and tretinoin are some examples of retinoids.
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Question of
Word part for corticosteroids.
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pred
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tretin
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vir
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cort
Correct Wrong
pred or pred- is a word part that pertains to corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are steroid hormones used to treat inflammation. Drugs such as oteprednol (shown in the image), prednicarbate, prednisolone and prednisone are some examples of retinoids.
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Question of
Prefix that pertains to an antibiotic or anti-inflammatory.
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sulfa-
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cef-
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bil-
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nil-
Correct Wrong
sulfa- is a prefix term that pertains to either an antibiotic (antibacterial) or anti-inflammatory drug. Drugs such as sulfacetamide (shown in the image), sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole and sulfasalazine are some examples of antibiotics.
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Question of
Word part that pertains to an antiviral (anti-HIV).
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vir
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tretin
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pred
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cort
Correct Wrong
vir or -vir is a word parts that pertains to antiviral (specifically as an anti-HIV drugs). Drugs such as abacavir (shown in the image), efavirenz, enfuvirtide, nevirapine, ritonavir and tenofovir are some examples of antiviral (anti-HIV) drugs.
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Question of
Prefix for cephalosporin antibiotic.
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cef-
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sulfa-
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hemi-
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epi-
Correct Wrong
cef- or ceph- is a prefix that pertains to cephalosporin antibiotic. Cephalosporins belong to a class of antibiotics (antibacterials) that treat a variety of bacterial infections, most commonly skin infections and soft tissue infections, as well as urinary tract infections (UTI). Drugs such as cefaclor (shown in the image), cefdinir, cefixime, cefprozil and cephalexin are some examples of cephalosporins.
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