Medical Word Parts Denoting to Drugs

Hypn/o is a combining form for "sleep". Take the word hypn/o/sis as an example. Hypn/o refers to "sleep", -sis is a suffix that pertains to "condition".  Hypnosis is a special state of consciousness, similar to sleep, but with a different degree of awareness than waking consciousness.

Pyr/o or pyret/o, pyrex/o is a combining form for "fever". Take the word hyper/pyrex/ia as an example. Hyper- is a prefix for "high" or "above normal", pyrex is word root for "fever", -ia is a suffix that pertains to "condition".  A hyperpyrexia is a very high fever or set body temperature greater than or equal to 41°C (105.8°F).

Narc/o  is a combining form for "stupor" . Take the word narc/o/lepsy as an example. Narc/o pertains to "stupor", -lepsy is a suffix term that means "seizure". Narcolepsy causes sudden and uncontrollable episodes of deep sleep, often accompanied by paralysis and hallucinations.

Pharmac/o is a combining form for "drug". Take the word pharmac/o/logy as an example. Pharmac/o pertains to "drug", -logy is a suffix that refers to "study of". Pharmacology is the study of drugs, their origins, composition, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic use.

Chem/o is a combining form for "chemical" or "drug". Take the word chem/o/therapy as an example. Chem/o pertains to "drug" or "chemical", -theraphy is a suffix that refers to "treatment". Chemotherapy is a treatment that kills or slows the proliferation and spread of cancerous cells.

Anti- is a prefix that pertains "opposite (against)". Take the word anti/histamine as an example. Anti- means "against", histamine is a natural amine that dilates capillaries, contracts smooth muscles, and stimulates the release of gastric acid by the body during allergic reactions. Antihistamines block the effects of histamine.

Vas/o is a combining form for "vessel", "duct" or "vas deferens". Take the word vas/o/dilation as an example. Vas/o pertains to "vessel", -dilation is a suffix that refers to "widening". Vasodilation refers to the dilation or widening of the blood vessels.

Toxic/o or tox/o is a combining form for "toxin". Take the word toxic/o/logy as an example. Toxic/o pertains to "toxin", -logy is a suffix that refers to "study of". Toxicology deals with the composition, effects, monitoring, and treatment of poisons.

Counter- is a prefix that pertains "opposite (against)". Take the word counter/act as an example. Counter- pertains to "opposite (against)", act means "doing something". Counteract means to limit or neutralize using an opposing action or influence.

Contra- is a prefix that pertains "opposite (against)". Take the word contra/ceptive as an example. Contraceptives are devices or pills that prevent conception.

-tropic is a suffix that pertains "turn" or "change". Take the word somat/o/tropic as an example. Somat/o is a combining form that means "body", -tropic refers to "turn" or "change". Somatotropic cells are located in the anterior pituitary that produce growth hormone.

-algia is a suffix that pertains "pain". Take the word fibr/o/my/algia as an example. Fibr/o is a combining form that pertains to "fiber", my is a word root that refers to "muscle", -algia means "pain". Fibromyalgia causes pain throughout your body, affecting one's mood and sleep.

-lytic is a suffix that pertains "reducing" or "breakdown" . Take the word anxi/o/lytic as an example. Anxi/o is a combining form that pertains to "anxiety", -lytic means "reducing". An anxiolytic is a medication that reduces anxiety.

-mimetic  is a suffix that pertains "mimic (copy)" . Take the word sympath/o/mimetic as an example. Sympath/o is a combining form that pertains to "sympathetic nervous system", -mimetic means "mimic (copy)". The effects of sympathomimetic drugs are similar to the effects of endogenous agonists of the sympathetic nervous system.