10 Drug Name Suffixes Every Pharmacy Tech Student Must Know

If you are studying for your pharmacy tech exam you already know the problem. There are hundreds of drug names to memorise and they all look impossible.
Here is the good news. Drug names are not random. Every drug name contains a hidden suffix that tells you the drug class instantly. Learn 10 patterns and you can decode hundreds of drugs you have never seen before.
1. -OLOL = Beta Blocker
Examples: metoprolol, atenolol, carvedilol
Memory trick: O-LOL — your heart slows down every time.
Treats high blood pressure and heart failure.
2. -PRIL = ACE Inhibitor
Examples: lisinopril, enalapril, ramipril
Memory trick: PRIL = Pressure RILaxer.
Side effect: dry cough. Patient switches to -sartan if cough develops.
3. -SARTAN = ARB
Examples: losartan, valsartan, olmesartan
Memory trick: Same job as ACE inhibitor but without the cough.
Frequently tested on PTCB and OSMT exams.
4. -STATIN = Cholesterol Drug
Examples: atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin
Memory trick: STATIN = STops fAT IN arteries.
Every cholesterol drug ends in -statin. Every single one.
5. -DIPINE = Calcium Channel Blocker
Examples: amlodipine, nifedipine, felodipine
Memory trick: diPINE = DIPping blood pressure.
Side effect: swollen ankles and facial flushing.
6. -MYCIN = Macrolide Antibiotic
Examples: azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin
Memory trick: MY-CIN = MY antibiotic kills bacteria.
Azithromycin is the famous Z-Pak — 5 day treatment.
7. -CILLIN = Penicillin Antibiotic
Examples: amoxicillin, ampicillin, penicillin V
Memory trick: CILLIN = KILL-in bacteria.
Always check for penicillin allergy before dispensing.
8. -AZOLE = Antifungal or PPI
Examples: fluconazole (antifungal), omeprazole (acid reducer)
Memory trick: con-AZOLE fights fungi. p-RAZOLE fights acid.
Esomeprazole = Nexium = the purple pill.
9. -PAM and -LAM = Benzodiazepine
Examples: alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan)
Memory trick: PAM and LAM = I am CALM.
All benzodiazepines are controlled substances in Canada.
10. -TIDINE = H2 Blocker
Examples: famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet)
Memory trick: TIDINE = TIED DOWN acid production.
Works faster than PPIs but less powerful for long-term use.
Want all 10 suffixes in one beautiful reference guide?
Download the Drug Suffix Decoder — a one-page PDF with all 10 suffixes, memory tricks, exam tips, and a self-test quiz.
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