| Major Drug Classification | Primary Action(s) | Example | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Relieve pain (different classes for different pain types) | Opioids, NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen), Acetaminophen | | Antibiotics | Kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria | Penicillins, Cephalosporins, Tetracyclines | | Antidepressants | Alleviate symptoms of depression | SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine/Prozac), SNRIs, Tricyclics | | Antihypertensives | Lower high blood pressure | ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril), Beta-blockers, Diuretics | | Antipsychotics | Manage symptoms of psychosis | Haloperidol, Risperidone, Clozapine | | Bronchodilators | Relax and open the airways in the lungs | Albuterol, Salmeterol | | Corticosteroids | Reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system | Prednisone, Hydrocortisone | | Diuretics | Increase urine production to remove excess fluid | Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide | | Hormones | Replace deficient hormones or alter hormonal activity | Insulin, Levothyroxine, Estrogen | | Sedatives & Hypnotics | Promote calmness (sedation) or induce sleep | Benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam), Zolpidem |
You see a bear.
Used for anxiety and insomnia, often ending in "-pam" or "-lam" (e.g., Diazepam, Alprazolam). 4. Cheat Sheet: Common Drug Prefixes and Suffixes pharmacology for dummies pdf
Before you learn a single drug name, you must understand how the body moves medicine around. Any "Pharmacology for Dummies" resource will scream these four steps:
These drugs impact the brain and spinal cord to treat pain, anxiety, and psychiatric conditions. | Major Drug Classification | Primary Action(s) |
Understanding Pharmacology: A Beginner's Guide Pharmacology is the scientific study of drugs—how they are made, how they interact with the body, and how the body processes them. At its core, it is a bridge between biology and medicine, providing the foundation for rational therapy and patient care. 1. The Two Pillars of Pharmacology
Used to lower blood pressure. Examples include ACE inhibitors (often ending in "-pril") and Beta-blockers (often ending in "-lol"). Cheat Sheet: Common Drug Prefixes and Suffixes Before
Grouped by how they kill bacteria—some destroy the cell wall (Penicillins), while others stop the bacteria from making protein (Macrolides).
Instead of memorizing thousands of individual medications, successful pharmacology students learn medications by their classes and suffixes (word endings). Drug Class Common Suffix What They Do Common Example -olol Lower heart rate & blood pressure Metoprolol ACE Inhibitors -pril Relax blood vessels, lower BP Lisinopril Statins -statin Lower cholesterol production Atorvastatin Antibiotics (Penicillins) -cillin Kill or inhibit bacterial growth Amoxicillin Proton Pump Inhibitors -prazole Reduce stomach acid production Omeprazole Benzodiazepines -pam / -lam Calm the nervous system (anxiety) 5. Key Principles for Safe Medication Administration