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Drug suffixes cheat sheet: drug classes by their ending

A drug's ending usually tells you its class: -olol is a beta blocker, -pril an ACE inhibitor, -sartan an ARB. Learn the suffix and you can reason about a drug you have never seen.

A suffix hints at the class, not the whole story, so always confirm a drug before you give or chart it.

Built from NurseLingo's RN-written study decks· Updated Oct 2026· Sources

SuffixClassWatch For
-ololBeta blocker
  • Lowers HR & BP
  • Hold if HR <60; no abrupt stop
-prilACE inhibitor
  • Lowers BP; slows diabetic kidney disease
  • Watch dry cough, high K+, angioedema
-sartanARB
  • Lowers BP, blocks angiotensin II
  • Still check K+
-statinCholesterol lowering (not nystatin)
  • Report muscle pain (rhabdo)
  • Simvastatin: take in the evening
-prazoleProton pump inhibitor
  • Reduces gastric acid
  • Long-term: low Mg/B12
-dipineCCB (dihydropyridine)
  • Vasodilation lowers BP
  • Watch peripheral edema
-parinAnticoagulant
  • Prevents clot formation
  • Enoxaparin syringe: keep the air bubble
-floxacinFluoroquinolone
  • Broad-spectrum antibiotic
  • Tendon rupture risk
-cillinPenicillin
  • Bactericidal antibiotic
  • Ask about allergy first
-zepam/-zolamBenzodiazepine
  • Sedative, anxiolytic
  • Antidote: flumazenil
-semide (loop)Loop diuretic
  • Potent diuresis
  • Watch hypokalemia, ototoxicity
-terolBeta-2 agonist
  • Albuterol = rescue; salmeterol is not
  • Watch tachycardia, tremor

RN pearl: A suffix hints at the class, not the whole story. Always confirm before you chart.

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Frequently asked questions

What drug class ends in -olol?

Beta blockers, such as metoprolol. They lower heart rate and blood pressure. Hold the dose if the heart rate is under 60, and don't stop them abruptly.

What is the difference between -pril and -sartan drugs?

Both lower blood pressure by acting on the renin-angiotensin system. ACE inhibitors (-pril) can cause a dry cough; ARBs (-sartan) block angiotensin II and are an option when that cough is a problem. Check potassium with both.

What should you watch for with -floxacin antibiotics?

Fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin carry a risk of tendon rupture.

Keep studying

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Sources

  1. Pharmacology for Nurses, 18.3 Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs), OpenStax
  2. Pharmacology for Nurses, 7.1 Bacterial, Viral/COVID-19 and Fungal Infections, OpenStax
  3. Pharmacology for Nurses, 25.1 Adrenergics and Anticholinergics, OpenStax
  4. Clinical Nursing Skills, 12.3 Preparing Unit-Dose Packaged Medications, OpenStax

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