drug prefixes, roots, and suffixes

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

These prefixes, roots, and suffixes apply only to generic names.

prefix, root,
examples (generic names) drug class or drug category
suffix
phosphodiesterase (PDE)
-afil avanafil; sildenafil; tadalafil; vardenafil
inhibitor
betamethasone; dexamethasone; diflorasone;
-asone corticosteroid
fluticasone; mometasone
-bicin doxorubicin; epirubicin; idarubicin; valrubicin antineoplastic; cytotoxic agent
butabarbital; butalbital; phenobarbital;
-bital barbiturate (sedative)
secobarbital
bupivacaine; lidocaine; mepivacaine;
-caine local anesthetic
prilocaine; proparacaine
cefaclor; cefdinir; cefixime; cefprozil;
cef-, ceph- cephalosporin antibiotic
cephalexin
amoxicillin; ampicillin; dicloxacillin;
-cillin penicillin antibiotic
nafcillin; oxacillin
cort clocortolone; fludrocortisone; hydrocortisone corticosteroid
demeclocycline; doxycycline; minocycline;
-cycline tetracycline antibiotic
tetracycline; terramycin
albendazole; mebendazole; metronidazole; anthelmintic; antibiotic;
-dazole
tinidazole antibacterial
amlodipine; felodipine; nifedipine;
-dipine calcium channel blocker
nimodipine; nisoldipine
alendronate; etidronate; ibandronate; bisphosphonate; bone resorption
-dronate
risedronate inhibitor
-eprazole esomeprazole; omeprazole; rabeprazole proton pump inhibitor (PPI)
-fenac bromfenac; diclofenac; nepafenac NSAID
besifloxacin; ciprofloxacin; levofloxacin;
-floxacin quinolone antibiotic
moxifloxacin; ofloxacin
antidiabetic; inhibitor of the
-gliptin saxagliptin; sitagliptin; linagliptin
DPP-4 enzyme
 -glitazone pioglitazone; rosiglitazone; troglitazone antidiabetic; thiazolidinedione
brompheniramine; chlorpheniramine;
-iramine antihistamine
pheniramine
acetazolamide; brinzolamide; dorzolamide;
-lamide carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
methazolamide
adalimumab; daclizumab; infliximab;
-mab monoclonal antibody
omalizumab; trastuzumab
carmustine; estramustine; lomustine;
-mustine alkylating agent (antineoplastic)
bendamustine
azithromycin; clarithromycin; clindamycin;
-mycin antibiotic; antibacterial
erythromycin
muscarinic antagonist
-nacin darifenacin; solifenacin
(anticholinergic)
fluconazole; ketoconazole; miconazole;
-nazole antifungal
terconazole; tioconazole
atenolol; metoprolol; nadolol; pindolol;
-olol beta blocker
propranolol; timolol
fluocinolone; fluorometholone; prednisolone;
-olone corticosteroid
triamcinolone
-olone nandrolone; oxandrolone; oxymetholone anabolic steroid
budesonide; ciclesonide; desonide;
-onide corticosteroid
fluocinonide; halcinonide
-oprazole dexlansoprazole; lansoprazole; pantoprazole proton pump inhibitor (PPI)
dalteparin; enoxaparin; fondaparinux; heparin; antithrombotic; anticoagulant
parin; -parin
tinzaparin (blood thinner)
aminophylline; dyphylline; oxtriphylline; xanthine derivative
-phylline
theophylline (bronchodilator)
clomipramine; desipramine; imipramine;
-pramine tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)
trimipramine
loteprednol; prednicarbate; prednisolone;
pred; pred- corticosteroid
prednisone
benazepril; captopril; enalapril; lisinopril;
-pril ACE inhibitor
moexipril; ramipril
fenoprofen; flurbiprofen; ibuprofen;
-profen NSAID
ketoprofen
 -ridone iloperidone; paliperidone; risperidone atypical antipsychotic
candesartan; irbesartan; losartan; olmesartan; angiotensin II receptor
-sartan
valsartan antagonist; ARB
-semide furosemide; torsemide loop diuretic (water pill)
alosetron; dolasetron; granisetron; serotonin 5-HT3 receptor
-setron
ondansetron; palonosetron antagonist
dolasetron; granisetron; ondansetron;
-setron antiemetic and antinauseant
palonosetron
atorvastatin; lovastatin; pitavastatin; HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor;
-statin
pravastatin; rosuvastatin; simvastatin statins
sulfacetamide; sulfadiazine; antibiotic; anti-infective; anti-
sulfa-
sulfamethoxazole; sulfasalazine inflammatory
alcaftadine; cyproheptadine; desloratadine;
-tadine antihistamine
loratadine; olopatadine
-tadine amantadine; rimantadine antiviral; anti-influenza-A
albuterol; arformoterol; formoterol;
-terol beta agonist; bronchodilator
levalbuterol; salmeterol
chlorothiazide; hydrochlorothiazide;
-thiazide thiazide diuretic (water pill)
methyclothiazide
crizotinib; dasatinib; erlotinib; gefitinib;
-tinib antineoplastic (kinase inhibitor)
imatinib
desogestrel; etonogestrel; levonorgestrel;
-trel female hormone (progestin)
norgestrel
tretin-; tretin; retinoid; dermatologic agent;
acitretin; alitretinoin; isotretinoin; tretinoin
-tretin form of vitamin A
almotriptan; eletriptan; rizatriptan; antimigraine; selective 5-HT
-triptan
sumatriptan; zolmitriptan receptor agonist
-tyline amitriptyline; nortriptyline; protriptyline tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)
abacavir; efavirenz; enfuvirtide; nevirapine;
vir; -vir antiviral; anti-HIV
ritonavir; tenofovir
adefovir; entecavir; ribavirin (along with
vir; -vir antiviral; anti-hepatitis
interferon)
acyclovir; famciclovir; penciclovir;
-vir antiviral; anti-herpes
valacyclovir
 -vir cidofovir; ganciclovir; valganciclovir antiviral; anti-CMV
-vir oseltamivir; zanamivir antiviral; anti-flu
lamivudine; stavudine; telbivudine;
-vudine antiviral; nucleoside analogues
zidovudine
clonazepam; diazepam; flurazepam;
-zepam benzodiazepine
lorazepam; temazepam
-zodone nefazodone, trazodone, vilazodone antidepressant
-zolam alprazolam; estazolam; midazolam; triazolam benzodiazepine
-zosin alfuzosin; doxazosin; prazosin; terazosin alpha blocker
prefix, root,
examples (generic names) drug class or drug category
suffix
Stem Definition Examples
-abine (see -arabine, - decitabine
citabine)
-ac Anti-inflammatory bromfenac; dexpemedolac
agents (acetic acid
derivatives)
-acetam See -racetam
-actide Synthetic seractide
corticotropins
-adol, - Analgesics (mixed tazadolene; spiradolene;
aldol- opiate receptor levonantradol
agonists/
antagonists)
-adox Antibacterials carbadox
(quinoline dioxide
derivatives)
-afenone Antiarrhythmics alprafenone; diprafenone
(propafenone
derivatives)
-afil PDE5 inhibitors tadalafil
-aj- Antiarrhythmics lorajmine
(ajmaline derivatives)
-aldrate Antacid aluminum magaldrate
salts
-algron Alpha1 - and alpha2 - dabuzalgron
adrenoreceptor
agonists
-alol Combined alpha and labetalol; medroxalol
beta blockers
-amivir (see -vir)
-ampa Ionotropic non-NMDA
glutamate receptors
(AMPA and/or KA
receptors)
subgroups:
- Ionotropic non-NMDA becampanel
Stem Definition Examples
ampanel glutamate receptors
(AMPA and/or KA
receptors);
antagonists
- Ionotropic non-NMDA forampator
ampator glutamate receptors
(AMPA and/or KA
receptors);
modulators
-andr- Androgens nandrolone
-anib Angiogenesis semaxanib
inhibitors
-anserin Serotonin 5-HT2 altanserin; tropanserin;
receptor antagonists adatanserin
-antel Anthelmintics carbantel
(undefined group)
-antrone Antineoplastics; pixantrone
anthraquinone
derivatives
-apsel P-selectin antagonists torapsel
-arabine Antineoplastics fazarabine; fludarabine
(arabinofuranosyl
derivatives)
aril-, - Antiviral (arildone pleconaril; arildone; fosarilate
aril, -aril- derivatives)
-arit Antirheumatics lobenzarit; clobuzarit
(lobenzarit type)
-arol Anticoagulants dicumarol
(dicumarol type)
-arone Antiarrhythmics amiodarone; dronedarone
-arot- Arotinoids etarotene; sumarotene;
tazarotene
subgroup:
-arotene Arotinoid derivatives bexarotene; linarotene;
tazarotene
Stem Definition Examples
arte- Antimalarials arteflene
(artemisin
derivatives)
-ase Enzymes alglucerase; dornase alfa
subgroups:
-dismase Enzymes; superoxide sudismase
dismutase activity
(exception: orgotein)
-teplase Enzymes; tissue-type alteplase; duteplase; silteplase
plasminogen
activators
-uplase Enzymes; urokinase- saruplase; nasaruplase
type plasminogen
activators
-ast Antiasthmatics/antiall
ergics (not acting
primarily as
antihistamines;
leukotriene
biosynthesis
inhibitors)
subgroups:
-lukast Antiasthmatics/antiall cinalukast; pobilukast
ergics; leukotriene
receptor antagonists
-milast Antiasthmatics/antiall piclamilast
ergics; type IV
phosphodiesterase
inhibitors
-trodast Antiasthmatics/antiall seratrodast
ergics; thromboxane
A2 receptor
antagonists
-zolast Antiasthmatics/antiall eclazolast; ontazolast
ergics; benzoxazole
derivatives
Stem Definition Examples
-tegr- Antiasthmatics/antiall valategrast
ergics; integrin
antagonists
-astine Antihistaminics ebastine
(histamine-H1
receptor antagonists)
-(a)tadine Tricyclic histaminic- desloratadine; rupatadine;
H1 receptor somantadine
antagonists,
loratadine derivatives
-atadine Tricyclic olopatadine; loratadine
antiasthmatics
-axine Antianxiety,
antidepressant
inhibitor of
norepinephrine and
dopamine re-uptake
subgroup:
-(f)axine radafaxine
-azenil Benzodiazepine bretazenil; flumazenil
receptor
agonists/antagonists
-azepam Antianxiety agents lorazepam
(diazepam type)
-azepide Cholecystokinin devazepide
receptor antagonists
-azocine Narcotic quadazocine; ketazocine
antagonists/agonists
(6,7-benzomorphan
derivatives)
-azoline Antihistamines/local antazoline
vasoconstrictors
(antazoline type)
-azosin Antihypertensives doxazosin
(prazosin type)
Stem Definition Examples
-bactam Beta-lactamase sulbactam
inhibitors
-bamate Tranquilizers/antiepil meprobamate; felbamate
eptics (propanediol
and pentanediol
groups)
-barb, - Barbituric acid phenobarbital; secobarbital;
barb- derivatives eterobarb
-begron Beta 3 talibegron
adrenoreceptor
agonist
-bendazole Anthelmintics cambendazole
(tibendazole type)
-berel Beta estrogen prinaberel
receptor agonist
-bersat Anticonvulsants; carabersat; tidembersat
antimigraine
(benzoylamino-
benzpyran
derivatives)
bol-, -bol- Anabolic steroids bolandiol; mibolerone
-bufen Non-steroidal anti- indobufen
inflammatory agents,
fenbufen derivatives
-bulin Antineoplastics mivobulin
(mitotic inhibitors;
tubulin binders)
-butan Antiseptics dapabutan; lopobutan
(dapabutan type)
-butazone Anti-inflammatory mofebutazone
analgesics
(phenylbutazone
type)
-caine Local anesthetics dibucaine
calci-, - Vitamin D analogues calcipotriene; tacalcitol
Stem Definition Examples
calci-
-camra Antivirals tremacamra
(intracellular
adhesion molecules,
icam-1 derivatives)
-camsule Camphorsulfonic acid ecamsule
derivatives used as
UVA sunscreens
-casan Caspase (interleukin pralnacasan
–1b) converting
enzyme inhibitors
-caserin Serotonin receptor lorcaserin; vabicaserin
agonists, primarily 5-
HT2
-castat (see -stat)
-carbef Antibiotics loracarbef
(carbacephem
derivatives)
-catib Cathespin inhibitors balicatib
-cavir (see -vir)
cef- Cephalosporins cefazolin
-cept Receptor molecules, alvircept
native or modified ( a
preceding infix should
designate the target)
subgroups:
-co- Receptor molecules, mirococept
native or
modified;complement
receptors
-facept Receptor molecules, alefacept
native or
modified;lymphocyte
function-associated
with antigen 3 (LFA)
Stem Definition Examples
receptor
-farcept Receptor molecules, pifarcept
native or modified;
interferon receptors
-lefacept Receptor molecules, alefacept
native or modified;
lymphocyte function-
associated antigen 3
-nercept Receptor molecules, lenercept
native or modified;
tumor necrosis factor
receptors
-vircept Receptor molecules, alvircept
native or modified;
antiviral receptors
-cet Receptors (small
molecule)
subgroup:
-calcet Receptors (small tecalcet
molecule); calcium
-cetrapib Cholesterol ester torcetrapib
transfer protein
inhibitors
-cic Hepatoprotectives limazocic
(timonacic type)
-ciclib Cyclin dependent seliciclib
kinase inhibitors
-ciclovir (see -vir)
-cidib Cyclin dependent alvocidib
kinase inhibitor
-cidin Natural antibiotics gramicidin
(undefined group)
-ciguat Guanaline cyclase ataciguat; atriciguat
activator
-cillin Penicillins ampicillin
Stem Definition Examples
-citabine Nucleoside antiviral gemcitabine; fiacitabine;
or antineoplastic zalcitabine
agents, cytarabine or
azarabine derivatives
-clidine Muscarinic agonists vedaclidine; talsaclidine
(various indications)
-clone Hypnotics/tranquilizer pagoclone
s (zopiclone type)
-cog Blood coagulation
factors
subgroups:
-eptacog Blood coagulation eptacog alfa (activated)
factors; blood
coagulation factor VII
- Blood coagulation nonacog alfa
nonacog factors; blood
coagulation factor IX
-octocog Blood coagulation moroctocog alfa; octocog alfa
factors; blood
coagulation factor
VIII
-cogin Blood coagulation tifacogin
cascade inhibitor
-conazole Systemic antifungals fluconazole; oxiconazole
(miconazole type)
-cort- Cortisone derivatives hydrocortisone
-coxib Cyclooxygenase-2 celecoxib; parecoxib;
inhibitors valdecoxib
-cridar (see -dar)
-crinat Diuretics (ethacrynic brocrinat
acid derivatives)
-crine Acridine derivatives amsacrine; quinacrine
-cromil Antiallergics nedocromil
(cromoglicic acid
derivatives)
Stem Definition Examples
- Neuromuscular atracurium; alcuronium;
curium(als blocking agents pipecuronium
o- (quaternary
curonium) ammonium
compounds)
-cycline Antibiotics minocycline
(tetracycline
derivatives)
-dan Positive inotropic prinoxodan; indolidan
agents (pimobendan
type)
-dapsone Antimycobacterials acedapsone
(diaminodiphenylsulfo
ne derivatives)
-dar Multidrug resistance
inhibitors
subgroups:
-cridar Multidrug resistance elacridar
inhibitors;acridine
carboxamide
derivatives
-icodar Multidrug resistance biricodar
inhibitors;pipecolic
acid derivatives
-quidar Multidrug resistance lamiquidar; zozuquidar
inhibitors; quinoline
derivatives
-spodar Multidrug resistance valspodar
inhibitors; ciclosporin
D derivatives
-denoson Adenosine A receptor tecadenoson; binodenoson
agonists
-dermin (see -ermin)
dil-, -dil-, - Vasodilators fostedil
dil (undefined group)
Stem Definition Examples
-dipine Phenylpyridine darodipine; felodipine
vasodilators
(nifedipine type)
-dismase (see -ase)
-distim (see -stim)
-ditan Antimigraine (5-HT1 alniditan
receptor agonists)
-dopa Dopamine receptor levodopa
agonists
-dore Dopamine D2D3 aplindore fumarate
receptor modulators
-dotin Synthetic analogs of tasidotin HCl
the dolastatin series
-dralazine Antihypertensives hydralazine; endralazine
(hydrazine-
phthalazines)
-dronate Calcium metabolism etidronate; tiludronate
regulators
-dutant (see -tant)
-ectedin Ecteinascodin monectedin
derivatives
-ectin Antiparasitics doramectin; moxidectin
(ivermectin type)
-elestat (see -stat)
-elvakin (see -kin)
-emcinal Erythromycin mitemcinal
derivatives lacking
antibiotic activity
-entan Endothelin receptor bosentan
antagonists
-eptacog (see -cog)
-eptakin (see -kin)
-erg- Ergot alkaloid pergolide
derivatives
Stem Definition Examples
-eridine Analgesics anileridine
(meperidine type)
-ermin Growth factors
subgroups:
-bermin Growth factors; telbermin
vascular endothelial
growth factors
-dermin Growth factors; murodermin
epidermal growth
factors
-fermin Growth factors; ersofermin
fibroblast growth
factors
-nermin Growth factors; sonermin; tasonermin
tumor necrosis
factors
-plermin Growth factors; becaplermin
platelet derived
growth factors
-sermin Growth factors; mecasermin
insulin-like growth
factors
-termin Growth factors; cetermin
transforming growth
factors
sub subgroups:
- Growth factors; bone dibotermin alfa
otermi morphogenetic
n proteins
estr-, - Estrogens estrone; fenestrel
estr-
subgroups:
-estrant Estrogen antagonists fulvestrant
-etanide Diuretics (piretanide bumetanide
type)
Stem Definition Examples
-exakin (see -kin)
-ezolid Oxazolidinone eperezolid; linezolid
antibacterials
-farnib Farnesyl transferase tipifarnib
inhibitor
-fenamate "fenamic acid" ester, etofenamate
salt derivatives
-fenamic Anti-inflammatory flufenamic acid
acid agents (anthranilic
acid derivatives)
-fenin Diagnostic aids arclofenin
((phenylcarbamoyl)m
ethyl iminodiacetic
acid derivatives)
-fenine Analgesics (fenamic floctafenine
acid subgroup)
-fentanil Narcotic analgesics alfentanil; mirfentanil;
(fentanyl derivatives) brifentanil
-fentrine Phosphodiesterase pumafentrine
inhibitor
-fermin (see -ermin)
- Amfetamine levmetamfetamine
fetamin(e) derivatives
-fiban Fibrinogen receptor lamifiban; tirofiban
antagonists
(glycoprotein IIb/IIIa
receptor antagonists)
-fibatide (see -tide)
-fibrate Antihyperlipidemics bezafibrate
(clofibrate type)
-filcon Hydrophilic contact alphafilcon A; xylofilcon A;
lens materials mipafilcon A
-fingol Sphingosine cedefingol; safingol
derivatives
-flapon 5-lipoxygenase- quiflapon
Stem Definition Examples
activating protein
(FLAP) inhibitors
-flurane General inhalation enflurane
anesthetics
(halogenated alkane
derivatives)
-fo- Phosphoro- adefovir
derivatives
-focon Hydrophobic contact trifocon A; pasifocon B;
lens materials satafoconA
-formin Hypoglycemics buformin
(phenformin type)
-fradil Calcium channel mibefradil
blockers acting as
vasodilators
-fulven Antineoplastic, viridofulven
acylfulven derivatives
-fungin Antifungal antibiotics kalafungin
(undefined group)
-fylline Theophylline enprofylline; bamifylline;
derivatives cipamfylline
-gab- Gabamimetics fengabine
gado- Gadolinium gadodiamide; gadoteridol;gadob
derivatives enate
(principally for
diagnostic use)
-gapil Neuronal apoptosis omigapil
inhibitors; GAPDH
-ganan Antimicrobial, iseganan; pexiganan
bactericidal
permeability
increasing
polypeptide
-gatran Thrombin inhibitors efegatran
(argatroban type)
Stem Definition Examples
-gest- Progestins megestrol
-giline MAO inhibitors, type selegiline
B
-gillin Antibiotics mitogillin
(Aspergillus strains)
gli- Antihyperglycemics gliflumide
-gliptin Antihyperglycemics; vildagliptin
dipeptidyl
aminopeptidase-IV
inhibitors
-glitazar Antihyperglycemics; farglitizar
PPAR agonists (not
thiazolidene
derivatives)
-glitazone Antihyperglycemics; ciglitazone; rosiglitazone
PPST agonists
(thiazolidene
derivatives)
-glumide CCK antagonists, amiglumide; itriglumide
antiulcer, anxiolytic
agent
-golix GnRH receptor rupugolix
antagonists
(nonpeptide)
-gosivir (see -vir)
- (see -stim)
gramostim
-grastim (see -stim)
-grel-, - Platelet aggregation itazigrel; dimetagrel; furegrelate
grel inhibitors (undefined
group)
guan- Antihypertensives guanoctine
(guanidine
derivatives)
-ibat Ileal bile acid barixibat
Stem Definition Examples
transport inhibitor
-icam Anti-inflammatory enolicam; tenoxicam
agents (isoxicam
type)
-icodar (see -dar)
-ifen(e) Antiestrogens of the nitromifene; raloxifene;
clomifene and droloxifene
tamoxifen groups
-ilide Class III ibutilide; risotilide; dofetilide
antiarrhythmic agents
-imepodib Inosine merimepodib
monophosphate
dehydrogenase
inhibitors
-imex Immunostimulants forfenimex; roquinimex;
ubenimex
-imibe- Antihyperlipidaemics, eldacimibe; avasimibe;
acyl CoA: cholesterol pactimibe
acyltransferase
(ACAT) inhibitors
-imod Immunomodulators ivarimod; pidotimod
subgroup:
- Immunomodulators; dormapimod
mapimo mitogen-activated
d protein (MAP) kinase
inhibitors
-imus Immunosuppressives tacrolimus; napirimus;
gusperimus; sirolimus
io- Iodine-containing iodamide
contrast media
-irudin Anticoagulants desirudin
(hirudin type)
-isant Histamine H3 cipralisant
receptor antagonists
-isomide Antiarrhythmics bidisomide
Stem Definition Examples
(disopyramide
derivatives)
- Quaternary clidinium; disiquonium;
ium (also - ammonium polixetonium
onium) derivatives
-ixafor CXCR4 antagonists plerixifor
-kacin Antibiotics obtained amikacin
from Streptomyces
kanamyceticus
(related to
kanamycin)
-kalant Potassium channel almokalant; terikalant
antagonists
-kalim Potassium channel cromakalim; aprikalim
agonists
-kalner Opener of large flindokalner
conductance calcium-
activated (maxi-k)
K+ channels
-kef- Enkephalin agonists metkephamide; casokefamide
(various indications)
-kin Interleukin type
substances
subgroups:
-decakin Interleukin type ilodecakin
substances;
interleukin-10
analogues and
derivatives
-dodekin Interleukin type edodekin alfa
substances;
interleukin-12
analogues and
derivatives
-elvekin Interleukin type oprelvekin
Stem Definition Examples
substances;
interleukin 11
analogues and
derivatives
-eptakin Interleukin type
substances;
interleukin 7
analogues and
derivatives
-exakin Interleukin type atexakin alfa
substances;
interleukin 6
analogues and
derivatives
-leukin Interleukin type teceleukin; aldesleukin
substances;
interleukin 2
analogues and
derivatives
-nakin Interleukin 1
analogues and
derivatives
sub subgroups:
- Interleukin 1 pitonakin
onakin analogues and
derivatives;
interleukin 1-a
analogues and
derivatives
- Interleukin 1 mobenakin
benaki analogues and
n derivatives;
iinterleukin 1-b
analogues and
derivatives
- Interleukin 1
Stem Definition Examples
nonaki analogues and
n derivatives;
iinterleukin 9
analogues and
derivatives
-octakin Interleukin 1 emoctakin
analogues and
derivatives;
iinterleukin 8
analogues and
derivatives
-penkin Interleukin 1
analogues and
derivatives;
iinterleukin 5
analogues and
derivatives
-trakin Interleukin 1 binetrakin
analogues and
derivatives;
iinterleukin 4
analogues and
derivatives
-kinra Interleukin receptor
antagonists
subgroup:
-nakinra Interleukin receptor anakinra
antagonists;
interleukin 1 (IL-1)
receptor antagonists
-kiren Renin inhibitors ditekiren; terlakiren; zankiren
-lazad Lipid peroxidation tirilazad
inhibitors
-leptin Leptin derivatives metreleptin
-leukin (see -kin)
-lind Pro-apoptotic cGMP ractalind; dractalind
Stem Definition Examples
phosphodiesterase
inhibitors
subgroup:
-sulind Pro-apoptotic cGMP exisulind
phosphodiesterase
inhibitors;
antineoplastics,
sulindac metabolites
-lipim Lipoprotein lipase ibrolipim
activators
-locib Antineoplastics that etalocib
inhibit the formation
of 5-LO, LTB4, LTC4,
and thromboxane B2
(TxB2); and Activate
PPARg nuclear
receptors
-lubant Leukotriene receptor ticolubant
antagonists
(treatment of
inflammatory skin
disorders)
-lukast (see -ast)
-lutamide Antiandrogens bicalutamide; flutamide
-lutril Neutral daglutril
endopeptidase
inhibitors possessing
additional endothelin
converting enzyme
inhibitory activity
-mab Monoclonal antibodies imciromab; abciximab;
capromab; dacliximab;
detumomab; enlimomab
subgroups:
-axo- Monoclonal
antibodies; rat-
Stem Definition Examples
murine hybrid
antibodies
-les- Monoclonal
antibodies; infix for
inflammatory/infectio
us lesions
-toxa- Monoclonal urtoxazumab
antibodies; toxin as a
target
- Antivirals/antiparkins rimantadine; dopamantine
mantadine, onians (adamantane
-mantine derivatives)
-mastat (see -stat)
-meline Cholinergic agonists xanomeline
(arecoline derivatives
used in treatment of
Alzheimer's disease)
-melteon Selective melatonin ramelteon
receptor agonist
-mer Polymers cadexomer; carbetimer
-mesine Sigma receptor igmesine; panamesine
ligands
-mestane Antineoplastics plomestane
(aromatase
inhibitors)
-metacin Anti-inflammatory zidometacin
agents (indomethacin
type)
-micin Antibiotics maduramicin; gentamicin
(Micromonospora
strains)
-monam Monobactam gloximonam; oximonam;
antibiotics tigemonam
-morelin (see -relin)
-moren Non-peptidic growth ibutamoren
Stem Definition Examples
hormone
secretagogues
-mostim (see -stim)
-motine Antivirals (quinoline famotine
derivatives)
-moxin Monoamine oxidase benmoxin; domoxin
inhibitors (hydrazine
derivatives)
-mulin Antibacterials, retapamulin
pleuromulin
derivatives
-multin Mucosal tolerance ismomultin
inductors
-mustine Antineoplastics carmustine
(chloroethylamine
derivatives)
-mycin Antibiotics lincomycin
(Streptomyces
strains)
nab-, - Cannabinol nabazenil; dronabinol
nab- derivatives
-nakalant Mixed vernakalant
sodium/potassium
channel blockers
-nakin (see -kin)
nal- Narcotic nalmefene
agonists/antagonists
(normorphine type)
-navir (see -vir)
-nercept (see -cept)
-nermin (see -ermin)
-nertant Neurotensin receptor reminertant
antagonists
-nesib Kinesin inhibitors ispinesib
Stem Definition Examples
-netant (see -tant)
-neurin Neurotensin receptor abrineurin
antagonists;
neurotropins
-nicline Nicotinic altinicline
acetylcholine receptor
partial
agonists/agonists
nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory agents
(tenidap
-nidap Nonsteroidal anti- ilonidap; tenidap
inflammatory agents
(tenidap type)
-nidazole Antiprotozoal tinidazole
substances
(metronidazole type)
nifur- 5-nitrofuran nifuratel; nifuratrone
derivatives
-nil Benzodiazepine
receptor
antagonists/agonists
subgroups:
-punil Mitochondrial emapunil
benzodiazepine
receptor (MBR)
selective, partial, or
inverse agonists
(purine derivatives)
-quinil Benzodiazepine lirequinil
receptor agonists,
also partial or inverse
(quinoline
derivatives)
-nixin Anti-inflammatory clonixin
agents
Stem Definition Examples
(anilinonicotinic acid
derivatives)
-nonacog (see -cog)
-nonakin (see -kin)
-octacog (see -cog)
-octakin (see -kin)
-olol Beta-blockers timolol; atenolol
(propranolol type)
-olone Steroids (not minaxolone
prednisolone
derivatives)
-onide Topical steroids amcinonide
(acetal derivatives)
-opilone Epothilone filopilone
-orex Anorexiants fludorex
-orphan Narcotic methorphan; dextrorphan
antagonists/agonists
dextro-(morphinan
derivatives)
-osuran Urotensin receptor palosuran
antagonists
-otilate Hepatoprotectants, mivotilate
di-isopropyl-1,3-
dithiol- malonate
derivatives
-oxacin Antibacterials difloxacin; ciprofloxacin
(quinolone
derivatives)
-oxan Alpha-adrenoceptor imiloxan
antagonists
(benzodioxane
derivatives)
-oxanide Antiparasitics bromoxanide
(salicylanilide
derivatives)
Stem Definition Examples
-oxef Antibiotics flomoxef
(oxacefalosporanic
acid derivatives)
-oxetine Antidepressants dapoxetine; seproxetine
(fluoxetine type)
-pafant Platelet-activating apafant; dacopafant;
factor antagonists tulopafant; lexipafant
-pamide Diuretics alipamide
(sulfamoylbenzoic
acid derivatives)
-pamil Coronary vasodilators tiapamil
(verapamil type)
-pamine Dopaminergics fosopamine; ibopamine
(butopamine type)
-panel AMPA receptor fanapanel; irumpanel;
antagonists talampanel
-parcil Antithrombotics beciparcil; iliparcil
-parcin Glycopeptide avoparcin
antibiotics
-parin Heparin derivatives heparin; tinzaparin; dalteparin
and low molecular
weight (or
depolymerized)
heparins
-parinux Antithrombotyic fondaparinux
indirect selective
synthetic factor Xa
inhibitors
-paroid Antithrombotics danaparoid; sulparoid
(heparinoid type)
peg- PEGylated pegcaristim; pegnartograstim;pe
compounds gvisomant
-penem Antibacterial imipenem
antibiotics
(carbapenem
Stem Definition Examples
derivatives)
-penkin (see -kin)
perflu- Blood substitutes perflubron; perflunafene
and/or diagnostics
(perfluorochemicals)
-peridol Antipsychotics haloperidol
(haloperidol type)
-peridone Antipsychotics risperidone; iloperidone;
(risperidone type) ocaperidone
-perone Antianxiety duoperone
agents/neuroleptics
(4'-fluoro-4-
piperidinobutyrophen
one derivatives)
-pezil Acetylcholinesterase icopezil; donepezil
inhibitors used in the
treatment of
Alzheimer’s disease
-pidem Hypnotics/sedatives zolpidem; alpidem
(zolpidem type)
-pirdine Cognition enhancers linopirdine; besipirdine;
sibopirdine
-pirox Antimycotics ciclopirox
(pyridone
derivatives)
-pitant (see -tant)
-plact Platelet factor 4 iroplact
analogs and
derivatives
-pladib Phospholipase A2 ecopladib
inhibitors
-planin Antibacterials mideplanin; ramoplanin;
(Actinoplanes strains) teicoplanin
-platin Antineoplastics cisplatin
(platinum
Stem Definition Examples
derivatives)
-plasninin Inhibitors of tiplasninin
plasminogen
activator inhibitors –
type 1
-plermin (see -ermin)
-plestim (see -stim)
-plon Non-benzodiazepine ocinaplon; zaleplon
anxiolytics, sedatives,
hypnotics
-poetin Erythropoietins epoetin alfa; epoetin beta
-porfin Benzoporphyrin verteporfin; temoporfin
derivatives
-pramine Antidepressants lofepramine
(imipramine type)
-prazan Acid pump inhibitors, omidaprazan
not dependent on
acid activation
-prazole Antiulcer agents omeprazole; disuprazole
(benzimidazole
derivatives)
subgroup:
- Antiulcer agents pumaprazole
maprazol (benzimidazole
e derivatives); acid
pump inhibitors
pred-, - Prednisone and prednicarbate; cloprednol;
pred-, - prednisolone oxisopred
pred derivatives
-pressin Vasoconstrictors desmopressin
(vasopressin
derivatives)
-pride Sulpiride derivatives remoxipride; zacopride
-pril Antihypertensives enalapril; temocapril; spirapril
(ACE inhibitors)
Stem Definition Examples
-prilat Antihypertensives enalaprilat; spiraprilat
(ACE inhibitors)
(diacid analogs of the
-pril entity)
-prinim Nootropic agents, leteprinim
purine derivatives
-prim Antibacterials ormetoprim
(trimethoprim type)
-prisnil Selective asoprisnil
progesterone
receptor modulators
(SPRM)
-pristin Antibacterials, quinupristin; efepristin
pristinamycin
derivatives
-pristone Progesterone mifepristone
receptor antagonists
-profen Anti- flurbiprofen
inflammatory/analges
ic agents (ibuprofen
type)
-prost-, - Prostaglandin rioprostil; dinoprost
prost derivatives
-protafib Protein tyrosine ertiprotafib
phosphatase 1B
inhibitors
-pultide (see -tide)
-proget Nonsteroidal ligand tanaproget
for the progesterone
receptor
-queside Cholesterol pamaqueside
sequestrants
(glycosides)
-racetam Nootropes (piracetam piracetam
type)
Stem Definition Examples
-racil Uracil type eniluracil; gemeracil; oteracil
antineoplastics
-relin Prehormones or nafarelin
hormone-release
stimulating peptides
subgroups:
subgroups:
-morelin Growth hormone- dumorelin
release stimulating
peptides
-tirelin Thyrotropin releasing protirelin
hormone analogues
-relix Hormone-release detirelix
inhibiting peptides
aldosterone
antagonists
(spironolactone type)
-renone Aldosterone canrenone
antagonists
(spironolactone type)
-restat (see -stat)
-retin-, - Retinol derivatives etretinate; pelretin
retin
-rev Therapeutic virus
subgroup:
-tucirev Therapeutic virus; lontucirev
tumoricidal
-ribine Ribofuranil loxoribine
derivatives
(pyrazofurin type)
rifa- Antibiotics (rifamycin rifapentine; rifampin
derivatives)
-rinone Cardiotonics milrinone
(amrinone type)
-rozole Aromatase inhibitors letrozole; fadrozole; vorozole
Stem Definition Examples
(imidazole/triazole
derivatives)
-rsen Antisense alicaforsen
oligonucleotides
-rubicin Antineoplastic esorubicin; idarubicin
antibiotics
(daunorubicin type)
sal-, -sal- Anti-inflammatory mesalamine; diflunisal;
, -sal agents (salicylic acid balsalazide
derivatives)
-sartan Angiotensin II losartan; eprosartan
receptor antagonists
-semide Diuretics (furosemide azosemide
type)
-sermin (see -ermin)
-serod Serotonin receptor piboserod
antagonists and
partial agonists
-serpine Rauwolfia alkaloid reserpine
derivatives
-setron Serotonin 5-HT3 ondansetron; granisetron;
antagonists lurosetron
-siban Oxytocin antagonists barusiban
-sidomine Antianginals pirsidomine; molsidomine;
(sydnone derivatives) linsidomine
som- Growth hormone somatrem; somatropin
derivatives
subgroups:
som- - Growth hormone sometribove
bove derivatives; bovine
somatotropin
derivatives
som- - Growth hormone sometripor; somagrepor
por derivatives; porcine
somatotropin
Stem Definition Examples
derivatives
-sonan 5-HT1B receptor elzasonan
antagonists
-spirone Anxiolytics zalospirone; tiospirone
(buspirone type)
-spodar (see -dar)
-sporin Immunosuppressants geclesporin; oxeclosporin
(cyclosporine type)
-stat-, - Enzyme inhibitors
stat
subgroups:
-castat Enzyme inhibitors; nepicastat
dopamine beta-
hydrolase (DBH)
inhibitors
-elestat Enzyme inhibitors; sivelestat
elastase inhibitors
-inostat Enzyme inhibitors; dacinostat
inhibitors of histone
deacetylase
-mastat Enzyme inhibitors; batimastat
antineoplastics
(matrix
metalloproteinase
inhibitors)
- Enzyme inhibitors; nafamostat
(a)mosta proteolytic enzyme
t inhibitors
-restat- Aldose-reductase ponalrestat; tolrestat
, -restat inhibitors
-vastatin Antihyperlipidemics atorvastatin; lovastatin;
(HMG-CoA inhibitors) pravastatin
-urestat Urease inhibitor benurestat
-stat- Renal cilastatin
dehydropeptidase
Stem Definition Examples
inhibitor
-stat- Pepsin inhibitor pepstatin
-statin Renal cilastatin; pepstatin
dehydropeptidase
inhibitor pepsin
inhibitor
-ster- Steroids (androgens, testosterone
anabolics)
-steride Testosterone epristeride; fenasteride
reductase inhibitors
-stigmine Cholinesterase quilostigmine; teserstigmine
inhibitors
(physostigmine type)
-stim Colony-stimulating
factors
subgroups:
-distim Colony-stimulating milodistim
factors; conjugates of
two different types of
colony-stimulating
factors
- Colony-stimulating molgramostim; regramostim;
gramosti factors; granulocyte sargramostim; ecogramostim
m macrophage colony-
stimulating factors
(GM-CSF)
-grastim Colony-stimulating filgrastim; lenograstim
factors; granulocyte
colony-stimulating
factors (G-CSF)
-mostim Colony-stimulating mirimostim
factors; macrophage
colony-stimulating
factors (M-CSF)
-plestim Colony-stimulating daniplestim
Stem Definition Examples
factors; interleukin 3
derivatives;
pleiotropic colony-
stimulating factors
-stinel NMDA receptor licostinel
antagonists (glycine
recognition site)
-sulam Antineoplastics, indisulam
apoptosis inducing
sulfonamide
sulfa- Antimicrobials sulfasalazine
(sulfonamides
derivatives)
-sulfan Antineoplastics, busulfan
alkylating agents
(methanesulfonate
derivatives)
-sulind (see -lind)
-tant Tachykinin
(neurokinin) receptor
antagonists
subgroups:
-dutant Tachykinin saredutant
(neurokinin) receptor
antagonists; NK2
receptor antagonists
-netant Tachykinin osanetant
(neurokinin) receptor
antagonists; NK3
receptor antagonists
-pitant Tachykinin dapitant; zinapitant; lanepitant
(neurokinin) receptor
antagonists; NK1
receptor antagonists
-tapide Microsomal implitapide
triglyceride transfer
Stem Definition Examples
protein (MTP)
inhibitors
-taxel Antineoplastics, paclitaxel
taxane derivatives
-tecan Antineoplastics topotecan; irinotecan
(camptothecine
derivatives)
-tecarin Antineoplastics becatecarin
(rebeccamycin
derivatives)
-tepa Antineoplastics azetepa
(thiotepa derivatives)
-teplase (see -ase)
-termin (see -ermin)
-terol Bronchodilators albuterol
(phenethylamine
derivatives)
-tesind Thymidilate metesind
synthetase inhibitors
(benzindole
derivatives)
-texafin Texaphryn motexafin
derivatives
-thiazide Diuretics (thiazide chlorothiazide
derivatives)
-tiapine Antipsychotics quitiapine
(dibenzothiazepine
derivatives)
-tiazem Calcium channel diltiazem; clentiazem;
blockers (diltiazem iprotiazem
type)
-tibant Antiasthmatics icatibant
(bradykinin
antagonists)
-tide Peptides and octreotide
Stem Definition Examples
glycopeptides
subgroups:
-fibatide Peptides and eptifibatide
glycopeptides;
platelet aggregation
inhibitors
(glycoprotein IIb/IIIa
receptor antagonists)
-pultide Peptides and sinapultide
glycopeptides;
peptides used as
pulmonary
surfactants
-tidine H2-receptor lupitidine; ranitidine;
antagonists donetidine
(cimetidine type)
-tinib Tyrosine kinase canertinib; imatinib; mubritinib
inhibitors
-tirelin (see -relin)
-tirome Antihyperlidaemic, anitirome; axitirome
thyromimetic
derivatives
-tocin Oxytocin derivatives oxytocin
-toclax Antineoplastic, BLC-2 obatoclax
inhibitor
-toin Antiepileptics albutoin
(hydantoin
derivatives)
-toran TLR4 receptor eritoran
antagonists
-tox(a)- Toxins urtoxazumab
-traposin AP2 inhibitors seltraposin
-trexate Antimetabolites (folic methotrexate
acid derivatives)
-trexed Antineoplastic pemetrexed; ralitrexed;
Stem Definition Examples
thymidylate nolatrexed
synthetase inhibitors
-tricin Antibiotics (polyene mepartricin
derivatives)
-tril, -trilat Endopeptidase candoxatril; candoxatrilat
inhibitors
-triptan Antimigraine agents naratriptan; oxitriptan;
(5-HT1 receptor sumatriptan
agonists)
-triptyline Antidepressants amitriptyline
(dibenzo[a,d]cyclohe
ptane derivatives)
-troban Antithrombotics daltroban; sulotroban
(thromboxane A2
receptor antagonists)
-trodast (see -ast)
-troline Antipsychotics carvotroline; gevotroline
(dopamine D2
antagonists)
- Thrombopoetin eltrombopag
trombopag agonists
trop-, - Atropine derivatives benztropine
trop-
-uclin Mucosal tolerance
inhibitors
-uplase (see -ase)
-uracil Uracil derivatives fluorouracil
used as thyroid
antagonists and as
antineoplastics
-uridine Antivirals; idoxuridine
antineoplastics
(uridine derivatives)
-vaptan Vasopressin receptor conivaptan; relcovaptan
antagonists
Stem Definition Examples
-vastatin (see -stat)
-verine Spasmolytic agents mebeverine
(papaverine type)
vin-, -vin- Vinca alkaloids vinepidine; apovincamine
vir-, -vir- Antiviral substances ganciclovir;
, -vir (undefined group) enviradine; viroxime; alvircept;
delavirdine
subgroups:
-amivir Antiviral substances; zanamivir
neuraminidase
inhibitors
-cavir Antiviral substances; lobucavir
carbocyclic
nucleosides
-cyclovir Antiviral substances; acyclovir
(acyclovir type)
-ciclovir Antiviral substances; desciclovir; famciclovir;
(acyclovir type) penciclovir
-gosivir Antiviral substances; celgosivir
glucosidase inhibitor
-navir Antiviral substances; droxinavir; indinavir; ritonavir
HIV protease
inhibitors (saquinavir
type)
-virdine Antiviral substances; atevirdine; delevirdine
(non-nucleoside
reverse transcriptase
inhibitors; pyridine
derivatives)
-virenz Antivirals (non- efavirenz
nucleoside reverse
transcriptase
inhibitors;
benzoxazinone
derivatives)
Stem Definition Examples
-virsen Antivirals (antisense) afovirsen; fomivirsen;
trecovirsen
-vircept (see -cept)
-virdine (see -vir)
-virenz (see -vir)
-virimat Antiviral, disrupts bevirimat
viral maturation
-viroc CCR5 antagonists maraviroc
subgroup:
-criviroc CCR5 antagonists, ancriviroc
immunomodulators
-vudine Antineoplastics; stavudine; lamivudine;
antivirals (zidovudine alovudine
group) (exception:
edoxudine)
-xaban Anticoagulant (Factor tamixaban
Xa inhibitor)
-xanox Antiallergic tixanox
respiratory tract
drugs (xanoxic acid
derivatives)
- Antineoplastics, pixantrone
(x)antrone mitoxantrone
derivatives aza-
anthracenedione
class of antitumor
agents
-zolamide Carbonic anhydrase brinzolamide; dorzolamide;
inhibitors sezolamide
-zolast (see -ast)
-zomib Proteozome inhibitors bortezomib
-zotan 5-HT1A receptor robalzotan; sarizotan;
agonists/antagonists ibalzotan; lecozotan
acting primarily as
neuroprotectors