Hints for Remembering Medication Classifications

Helpful When Studying for the NCLEX Exam

Prefix or
Suffix
Cef- or ceph-cillin
-mycin
-cycline

Likely Drug
Classification
Cephalosporin
antibiotic
penicillin
antibiotic
aminoglycoside or
macrolide antibiotic
tetracycline

Example of a Medication
in
This Classification
cefazolin, cephalexin
ceftin
bicillin
penicillin G
gentamycin, tobramycin
erythromycin
doxycycline
minocycline

-gliptin

DDP-4 inhibitor for

treating diabetes

vildagliptin (Galvus)
sitagliptin (Januvia)

-oxacin

a fluoroquinolone
antibiotic

Ciprofloxacin
levofloxacin

-azoles

-mab

-pine
-pril
-sartan

-olol

-ol
-osin
-parin
-thiazide

Precautions/Information to Know

5% cross sensitivity with penicillin

Can cause GI distress
Common allergy
GI distress
Renal toxicity , ototoxicity with
aminoglycosides
Dental problems (enamel discoloration) for
fetus if taken in pregnancy or before age 8
Interferes with oral contraceptives
watch for respiratory infections, headaches

photosensitivity reactions

indicates an antifungal Itraconazole

fluconazole (Diflucan)
clotrimazole
ketoconazole
miconazole (Lotrimin)
indicates a
daclizumab
monoclonal antibody
indicates a calcium
amlodipine
channel blocker
(exception verapamil
doesnt end in pine)
indicates an ACE
captopril
inhibitor
indicates an
valsartan
angiotensin receptor
blocker (ARB)
indicates a beta
propranolol
blocker
acebutolol

very liver toxic, many drug-drug interactions

indicates a beta
agonist
indicates an alpha
blocker
indicates an
anticlotting agent
indicates a diuretic

albuterol

rapid heart rate, sympathetic reaction

doxazosin, prazosin

first dose reaction; monitor for CHF

heparin, dalteparin

Injected; monitor for excessive bruising or

bleeding
weight loss, fluid & electrolyte balance

polythiazide,
hydrochlorothiazide

injected, flu-like symptoms

monitor BP, rhythm

monitor cough
not to be used during pregnancy

monitor cardiovascular effects,

caution with diabetics

-ase

-statin
-triptan
-enafil

indicates an enzyme,
usually used with
thrombolytics
indicates an HMG CoA
inhibitor
indicates and
antimigraine drug
indicates an
impotence drug

urokinase, streptokinase

Monitor for bleeding

lovastatin, pravastatin

pregnancy category X,
with diet and exercises, rhabdomyolysis
monitor BP, cardiac effects

zolmitriptan
sildenafil

-barbital

indicates a barbiturate phenobarbital

-pam

indicates a
benzodiazepine

-lukast

indicates a
leukotrience receptor
antagonist
indicates a colony
stimulating agent
indicates an
antisecretory agent

-stim
-prazole

-setron
-azine
-sone
-esterone
-dronate
-olone
-asteride
-profen

indicates a centrally
acting antiemetic
indicates a
phenothiazine
indicates a
corticosteroid
indicates a progestin
indicates a calcium
regulator
indicates an anabolic
steroid
indicates an androgen
inhibitor
Indicates an NSAID

diazepam
(exception:
chlordiazepoxide does
not end in pam)
zafirlukast

filgrastim

not with nitrates (can cause fatal

hypotension) or alpha blockers;
must be used with sexual stimulation
CNS depressant, stimulates liver
enzymes to metabolize drugs
liver and renal toxic

Asthma maintenance drug

Not for use in acute asthma attack
injected; check bone marrow

omeprazole (Prilosec)
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are not for
esomeprazole (Nexium)
prolonged use: can cause hip fractures
(exception aripiprazole
ends in prazole and is
an antipsychotic agent
not in this classification)
ondansetron, granisetron injected, CNS depression
promethazine

CNS depressant

cortisone, prednisone

timing of dose, risk of infection

progesterone

annual pap smear

etidronate

dosing details, monitor calcium

androlone

liver and heart toxicity

dutasteride

Monitor urinary output

ibuprofen

Monitoring GI bleeding