Pharmacology Drug Cards One Class at a Time

-acAcetic acid NSAID (diclofenac type)

Diclofenac and aceclofenac (-clofenac), bromfenac (-fenac), etodolac (-dolac), ketorolac and sulindac all end in -ac. Tolmetin, from the same group, lacks it.

For exampleDiclofenac

-adolOpioid analgesic (tramadol type)

Tramadol and tapentadol relieve pain through mu-opioid receptors and by blocking norepinephrine reuptake. Nadolol, a beta blocker, ends in -adol by chance.

For exampleTramadol

-afilPDE5 inhibitor

Sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil block phosphodiesterase 5, which breaks down cGMP, so smooth muscle relaxes; erectile dysfunction is the best-known use.

For exampleSildenafilTadalafil

-alolBeta blocker (labetalol type)

USAN reads it as a combined alpha and beta blocker, which labetalol is. WHO defines it by chemical structure, as a sub-stem of -olol, and also lists sotalol.

For exampleLabetalol

-amivirInfluenza neuraminidase inhibitor

Oseltamivir, zanamivir and peramivir block influenza neuraminidase, so new virus particles can't leave infected cells.

For exampleOseltamivir

-apineAtypical antipsychotic (clozapine type)

Clozapine, olanzapine and quetiapine share it. Mirtazapine, an antidepressant, also ends in -apine, and carbamazepine in -zepine: both come from WHO's broader stem -pine.

For exampleClozapineOlanzapineQuetiapine

arte-Artemisinin antimalarial

Artemether, artesunate and artemisinin itself share it. Artemether is given in a combination with lumefantrine.

For exampleArtemetherArtesunate

-azepam, -azolamBenzodiazepine

Diazepam and lorazepam end in -azepam; alprazolam and midazolam, with an added triazole or imidazole ring, end in -azolam. Clobazam and chlordiazepoxide are benzodiazepines too.

For exampleDiazepamLorazepamAlprazolamMidazolam

-azosinAlpha-1 blocker (prazosin type)

Doxazosin and prazosin share it. Tamsulosin, an alpha-1 blocker used for an enlarged prostate, ends only in -osin; WHO lists it, with alfuzosin, as related.

For exampleDoxazosinPrazosin

-bactamBeta-lactamase inhibitor

Tazobactam, sulbactam and relebactam protect a partner beta-lactam from bacterial enzymes. Clavulanic acid works the same way without the stem.

For exampleTazobactam

-begronBeta-3 agonist

Mirabegron activates beta-3 receptors and treats overactive bladder; vibegron shares the stem.

For exampleMirabegron

-bendazoleBenzimidazole anthelmintic

Albendazole and mebendazole stop worms building microtubules. Omeprazole is also a benzimidazole but ends in -prazole.

For exampleAlbendazoleMebendazole

-buvirHepatitis C NS5B polymerase inhibitor

Sofosbuvir, a nucleotide prodrug, blocks NS5B, the hepatitis C RNA polymerase. HCV NS5A inhibitors end in -asvir and HCV protease inhibitors in -previr.

For exampleSofosbuvir

-caineLocal anesthetic

Lidocaine and bupivacaine block sodium channels in nerves. Inside a name, -cain- marks class I antiarrhythmics such as flecainide and procainamide; lidocaine treats arrhythmias too.

For exampleLidocaineBupivacaine

cef-Cephalosporin

Cefalexin, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone and cefixime share it. Older US names keep the spelling ceph- (cephalexin).

For exampleCefalexinCefuroximeCeftriaxoneCefixime

-ciclovirAntiherpes nucleoside analogue

Aciclovir, valaciclovir, ganciclovir and penciclovir share it. The US names of the first two are acyclovir and valacyclovir.

For exampleAciclovirValaciclovir

-cillinPenicillin

Marks penicillins (6-aminopenicillanic acid derivatives), including benzylpenicillin. Beta-lactamase inhibitors given with them keep their own names: clavulanic acid, tazobactam.

For exampleAmoxicillinBenzylpenicillinFlucloxacillinPiperacillin

-conazoleAzole antifungal

Fluconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole share it. Clotrimazole, an imidazole antifungal, doesn't, and metronidazole (-nidazole) is not an antifungal.

For exampleFluconazoleItraconazole

-cort-Corticosteroid (cortisone type)

Found in cortisone, hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone. WHO keeps prednisolone relatives under pred instead.

For exampleHydrocortisone

-coxibSelective COX-2 inhibitor

Celecoxib, etoricoxib and parecoxib share it. Ibuprofen and naproxen block COX-1 as well as COX-2, so they lack it; coxibs still carry the NSAID heart and gut warnings.

For exampleCelecoxib

-curium, -curoniumNon-depolarizing neuromuscular blocker

-curonium names (rocuronium, vecuronium) are steroid-based, and sugammadex reverses them. Atracurium (-curium) breaks down in plasma by Hofmann elimination and ester hydrolysis.

For exampleRocuroniumAtracurium

-cyclineTetracycline antibiotic

Doxycycline, minocycline and tigecycline share it. Anthracycline anticancer drugs such as doxorubicin end in -rubicin instead.

For exampleDoxycyclineTetracycline

-dilolVasodilating beta blocker

WHO files -dilol under -dil (vasodilators). Carvedilol blocks beta receptors and also alpha-1 receptors, which widens blood vessels.

For exampleCarvedilol

-dipineDihydropyridine calcium channel blocker

Marks nifedipine relatives such as amlodipine. Verapamil (-pamil) and diltiazem (-tiazem) block calcium channels too but are not dihydropyridines.

For exampleAmlodipineNifedipine

-dopaDopamine-related drug (levodopa type)

Levodopa is turned into dopamine in the brain, while methyldopa, with the same ending, lowers blood pressure through a metabolite that stimulates central alpha-2 receptors.

For exampleLevodopa

-dronic acid, -dronateBisphosphonate

INNs end in -dronic acid (alendronic acid); US names and salts end in -dronate (alendronate). Etidronic, ibandronic and risedronic acid share it.

For exampleAlendronic acidZoledronic acid

-ectinAvermectin antiparasitic (ivermectin type)

Ivermectin and moxidectin share it. Ivermectin comes from Streptomyces avermitilis and opens glutamate-gated chloride channels in parasite nerves and muscle.

For exampleIvermectin

-estr-Estrogen

Ethinylestradiol and estradiol carry it. Watch for -gestr- in progestogens (levonorgestrel) and -estrant in estrogen receptor blockers (fulvestrant).

For exampleEthinylestradiol

-fibrateFibrate (PPAR-alpha agonist)

Fenofibrate, bezafibrate and ciprofibrate are clofibrate relatives that activate PPAR-alpha and lower triglycerides.

For exampleFenofibrate

-floxacinFluoroquinolone antibiotic

WHO's stem is -oxacin (quinolones); -floxacin is its fluorinated subgroup: ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin. Nalidixic acid, the parent quinolone, has no stem.

For exampleCiprofloxacinLevofloxacinMoxifloxacin

-fluraneInhaled general anesthetic

Sevoflurane, desflurane and isoflurane are halogenated anesthetics given by inhalation. Halothane, an older one, lacks the stem.

For exampleSevoflurane

-forminBiguanide (metformin type)

Metformin, phenformin and buformin are biguanides, named after phenformin. Metformin is the one in everyday use.

For exampleMetformin

-fovirPhosphonate nucleotide antiviral

Tenofovir and adefovir are phosphonate nucleotide analogues. Tenofovir blocks the reverse transcriptase of both HIV-1 and hepatitis B virus.

For exampleTenofovir

-gab-GABA analogue (gabapentin type)

Gabapentin and pregabalin are modeled on GABA, but both bind the alpha-2-delta subunit of calcium channels, and gabapentin leaves GABA binding and breakdown untouched.

For exampleGabapentinPregabalin

-gatranDirect thrombin inhibitor

Dabigatran is taken as dabigatran etexilate. Argatroban, also a direct thrombin inhibitor, doesn't carry the stem.

For exampleDabigatran

-gest-Progestogen

Covers progesterone and synthetic progestogens such as levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone and desogestrel. Norethisterone is a progestogen without it.

For exampleLevonorgestrelMedroxyprogesterone

-gilineMAO-B inhibitor

Selegiline and rasagiline block MAO-B, the main form of the enzyme in the brain, slowing dopamine breakdown in Parkinson's disease. Phenelzine, an MAO inhibitor for depression, lacks it.

For exampleSelegilineRasagiline

gli-Glucose-lowering drug, often a sulfonylurea

At the start of a name it mostly marks sulfonylureas: gliclazide, glimepiride, glibenclamide (US glyburide). The same letters sit inside -gliptin, -gliflozin and -glitazone.

For exampleGliclazideGlimepirideGlibenclamide

-gliflozinSGLT2 inhibitor (gliflozin)

WHO defines it as sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors related to phlorizin. Empagliflozin and dapagliflozin block SGLT2 in the kidney, so more glucose leaves in the urine.

For exampleEmpagliflozinDapagliflozin

-gliptinDPP-4 inhibitor (gliptin)

Sitagliptin, linagliptin, saxagliptin and vildagliptin block dipeptidyl peptidase-4, so incretin hormones such as GLP-1 last longer.

For exampleSitagliptinLinagliptin

-glitazoneThiazolidinedione (PPAR-gamma agonist)

Pioglitazone and rosiglitazone activate PPAR-gamma. Dual PPAR-alpha and gamma agonists end in -glitazar instead.

For examplePioglitazone

-glutideGLP analogue (mostly GLP-1 agonists)

Semaglutide, liraglutide and dulaglutide are GLP-1 receptor agonists; WHO files the stem under -tide (peptides). Exenatide and lixisenatide end in -enatide instead.

For exampleSemaglutideLiraglutide

-grel-, -grelAntiplatelet drug (mostly P2Y12 blocker)

Clopidogrel, prasugrel and ticagrelor block the platelet P2Y12 (ADP) receptor. The stem may end the name or sit inside it, as in ticagrelor and cangrelor.

For exampleClopidogrelTicagrelorPrasugrel

-ifene, -ifenEstrogen receptor modulator (tamoxifen type)

Raloxifene and clomifene end in -ifene; tamoxifen keeps the older -ifen. Tamoxifen and raloxifene block estrogen receptors in some tissues and stimulate them in others.

For exampleTamoxifen

-izinePiperazine H1 antihistamine (cyclizine type)

Cetirizine, hydroxyzine and cyclizine share it; cetirizine is a metabolite of hydroxyzine. Promethazine, a phenothiazine antihistamine, ends in -azine instead.

For exampleCetirizine

-lukastLeukotriene receptor antagonist

Montelukast and zafirlukast block cysteinyl leukotriene receptors and are used for long-term control of asthma; montelukast also treats allergic rhinitis. WHO files -lukast under -ast.

For exampleMontelukast

-mabMonoclonal antibody

Older names show the source: -ximab chimeric, -zumab humanized, -umab human. WHO stopped adding that part in 2017 and dropped -mab in 2021; new names end in -tug, -bart, -ment or -mig.

For exampleRituximabTrastuzumabAdalimumabInfliximab

-metasone, -methasoneCorticosteroid (dexamethasone type)

Dexamethasone, betamethasone, beclometasone and mometasone share it; WHO files it under pred. US names keep the h (beclomethasone). Fluticasone ends in -casone.

For exampleDexamethasoneBeclometasone

-micinAminoglycoside from Micromonospora

Gentamicin and netilmicin come from Micromonospora, hence -micin. Streptomycin, from Streptomyces, uses -mycin, and amikacin (-kacin) is made from kanamycin.

For exampleGentamicin

-mycinAntibiotic from Streptomyces bacteria

Spans classes: macrolides (azithromycin), lincosamides (clindamycin), glycopeptides (vancomycin), aminoglycosides (streptomycin) and anticancer bleomycin. Gentamicin is spelled -micin.

For exampleAzithromycinClarithromycinErythromycinClindamycin

nal-Opioid antagonist (naloxone type)

Naloxone and naltrexone block opioid receptors. Nalbuphine, also nal-, is an opioid agonist-antagonist painkiller, and nalidixic acid, an old quinolone antibacterial, fits by chance.

For exampleNaloxone

-navirHIV protease inhibitor

Ritonavir, atazanavir and darunavir block HIV protease. Ritonavir also strongly inhibits CYP3A, so it raises the levels of many other drugs.

For exampleRitonavir

-nidazoleNitroimidazole antimicrobial

Metronidazole and tinidazole treat anaerobic and protozoal infections. Azole antifungals such as fluconazole and clotrimazole belong to a different group.

For exampleMetronidazole

-ololBeta blocker

Labetalol (-alol) and carvedilol (-dilol) are beta blockers that also block alpha-1 receptors. Stanozolol, an anabolic steroid, ends in -olol by chance.

For examplePropranololAtenololMetoprololBisoprolol

-onideSteroid for topical use (acetal type)

Budesonide and ciclesonide share it. Budesonide treats asthma and rhinitis, and as capsules taken by mouth it also treats Crohn's disease.

For exampleBudesonide

-onidineCentral alpha-2 agonist (clonidine type)

Clonidine stimulates central alpha-2 receptors and cuts sympathetic outflow; moxonidine and brimonidine share the stem. WHO writes it -(o)nidine, part of -nidine.

For exampleClonidine

-oxetineSelective reuptake inhibitor (fluoxetine type)

Fluoxetine is an SSRI, duloxetine an SNRI, and atomoxetine, used for ADHD, blocks norepinephrine reuptake alone. Sertraline and citalopram are SSRIs that lack the stem.

For exampleFluoxetineDuloxetine

-parinHeparin or low-molecular-weight heparin

Covers heparin itself and low-molecular-weight heparins such as enoxaparin and dalteparin. Fondaparinux, a synthetic factor Xa inhibitor, ends in -parinux.

For exampleHeparinEnoxaparin

-penemCarbapenem antibiotic

Meropenem, imipenem and ertapenem share it. WHO defines -penem as penicillin-like beta-lactams changed in the five-membered ring.

For exampleMeropenem

-peridolButyrophenone antipsychotic (haloperidol type)

Haloperidol and droperidol share it; droperidol is used mainly against nausea and vomiting around surgery. Don't confuse it with -peridone, the risperidone group.

For exampleHaloperidol

-peridoneAtypical antipsychotic (risperidone type)

Risperidone and paliperidone, its active metabolite, share it. Domperidone ends in -peridone too but is an antiemetic that blocks dopamine D2 receptors outside the brain.

For exampleRisperidone

-piprazoleAntipsychotic (aripiprazole type)

Aripiprazole and brexpiprazole share it; aripiprazole partly stimulates dopamine D2 receptors. WHO now discourages the stem because it clashes with -prazole, the proton pump inhibitors.

For exampleAripiprazole

-plasePlasminogen activator (clot buster)

Alteplase and tenecteplase are tissue plasminogen activators that dissolve clots. WHO lists them under -ase (enzymes) as -teplase; urokinase-type ones end in -uplase.

For exampleAlteplaseTenecteplase

-platinPlatinum anticancer drug

Cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin carry platinum and cross-link DNA. Cisplatin is known for kidney and nerve damage, carboplatin for bone marrow suppression and allergic reactions.

For exampleCisplatinCarboplatin

-prazoleProton pump inhibitor

Omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole and pantoprazole block the H+/K+ ATPase of parietal cells. Aripiprazole, an antipsychotic, ends in -piprazole, which WHO now discourages.

For exampleOmeprazoleEsomeprazoleLansoprazolePantoprazole

pred-Prednisolone-type corticosteroid

Covers prednisone, prednisolone and methylprednisolone, and may sit inside a name (loteprednol). WHO also files the dexamethasone-type -methasone names under this stem.

For examplePrednisolone

-prilACE inhibitor

Prodrugs such as enalapril and ramipril are turned into active forms named -prilat (enalaprilat). Don't confuse it with -tril: sacubitril blocks neprilysin, not ACE.

For exampleLisinoprilRamiprilEnalaprilCaptopril

-profenPropionic acid NSAID (ibuprofen type)

Ibuprofen, ketoprofen and flurbiprofen share it. Naproxen is a propionic acid NSAID too but lacks the stem, and diclofenac belongs to the -ac group.

For exampleIbuprofen

-prost-Prostaglandin or analogue

Misoprostol (a PGE1 analogue), alprostadil, epoprostenol and latanoprost share it. It can sit inside the name or end it.

For exampleMisoprostol

-quineQuinoline drug, often an antimalarial

Chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, primaquine and mefloquine are antimalarials, but debrisoquine and oxamniquine, also quinolines, are not.

For exampleChloroquineHydroxychloroquinePrimaquine

-racetamPiracetam-type drug (antiepileptic or nootropic)

WHO defines it by piracetam, a nootropic, but levetiracetam and brivaracetam are antiepileptics that bind the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A.

For exampleLevetiracetam

-renoneMineralocorticoid receptor antagonist

Eplerenone and finerenone block the aldosterone (mineralocorticoid) receptor. Spironolactone, the oldest drug of the class, doesn't carry the stem.

For exampleEplerenone

rifa-Rifamycin antibiotic

Rifampicin (US name rifampin), rifabutin, rifapentine and rifaximin share it. Rifampicin is a first-line tuberculosis drug.

For exampleRifampicin

-rolimusMacrolide immunosuppressant

Tacrolimus binds FKBP-12 and blocks calcineurin; sirolimus and everolimus also bind FKBP-12 but block mTOR. Ciclosporin, the other calcineurin inhibitor, lacks the stem.

For exampleTacrolimus

-rozoleNonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor

Anastrozole and letrozole block aromatase, cutting the estrogen made after menopause, and treat breast cancer. Exemestane, a steroidal aromatase inactivator, lacks the stem.

For exampleAnastrozoleLetrozole

-rubicinAnthracycline anticancer antibiotic

Doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin and idarubicin are anthracyclines. Doxorubicin comes from Streptomyces bacteria; its key toxicity is heart damage that rises with the total dose.

For exampleDoxorubicin

-salazine, -salazideAminosalicylate (mesalazine type)

Mesalazine (5-ASA) treats ulcerative colitis; sulfasalazine and balsalazide are prodrugs that gut bacteria split to free it in the colon. Mesalazine's US name, mesalamine, lacks it.

For exampleMesalazine

-sartanAngiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)

Sartans block the AT1 receptor for angiotensin II. Valsartan is also half of sacubitril/valsartan, which adds a neprilysin inhibitor.

For exampleLosartanValsartanCandesartanTelmisartan

-semideLoop diuretic (furosemide type)

Furosemide and torasemide (US name torsemide) share it. Bumetanide, another loop diuretic, carries the stem -etanide instead.

For exampleFurosemideTorasemide

-setron5-HT3 antagonist (antiemetic)

Ondansetron blocks 5-HT3 receptors to prevent nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery; granisetron and palonosetron share the stem.

For exampleOndansetron

-steride5-alpha reductase inhibitor

Finasteride and dutasteride block 5-alpha reductase, which turns testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. WHO lists the stem under -ster- (steroids).

For exampleFinasteride

-stigmineCholinesterase inhibitor

Neostigmine reverses non-depolarizing muscle relaxants and rivastigmine treats dementia. Donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor used for dementia, doesn't carry the stem.

For exampleNeostigminePyridostigmineRivastigmine

sulfa-Sulfonamide anti-infective

Sulfamethoxazole and sulfadiazine share it. Sulfasalazine, the anti-inflammatory parent drug of mesalazine, carries it too.

For exampleSulfamethoxazole

-tadineTricyclic H1 antihistamine (loratadine type)

Loratadine and desloratadine, H1 antihistamines with a three-ring core, share it. Don't confuse it with -tidine, the H2 blockers; amantadine, an antiviral, fits only by chance.

For exampleLoratadine

-taxelTaxane anticancer drug

Paclitaxel, docetaxel and cabazitaxel are taxanes. Paclitaxel, from yew trees (Taxus), stabilizes microtubules so they can't break down, which blocks cell division.

For examplePaclitaxel

-tegravirHIV integrase inhibitor

Dolutegravir, raltegravir, bictegravir and cabotegravir stop HIV integrase from inserting viral DNA into the host cell's chromosomes.

For exampleDolutegravir

-terolBeta-2 agonist bronchodilator

Salmeterol and formoterol are long-acting beta-2 agonists. Salbutamol and terbutaline lack the stem, though salbutamol's US name, albuterol, has it.

For exampleSalmeterolFormoterol

-thiazide, -tizideThiazide diuretic

Hydrochlorothiazide and bendroflumethiazide keep the older -thiazide spelling; WHO uses -tizide for newer names. Thiazide-like chlortalidone and indapamide don't carry it.

For exampleHydrochlorothiazideBendroflumethiazide

-tidineH2 receptor antagonist

Famotidine and cimetidine block histamine H2 receptors on stomach parietal cells, cutting acid. Pethidine, an opioid, and azacitidine, an anticancer drug, end in -tidine by chance.

For exampleFamotidineCimetidine

-tinibTyrosine kinase inhibitor

Imatinib blocks the BCR-ABL kinase in chronic myeloid leukemia. Sub-stems name the target: -citinib for JAK (tofacitinib), -brutinib for BTK (ibrutinib), -ertinib for EGFR (osimertinib).

For exampleImatinib

-tocinOxytocin analogue

Oxytocin and carbetocin share it. Atosiban, which blocks oxytocin receptors, ends in -siban instead.

For exampleOxytocin

-toinHydantoin antiepileptic (phenytoin type)

Phenytoin and fosphenytoin, its injectable prodrug, are hydantoins that block sodium channels. Nitrofurantoin, an antibacterial for urinary infections, shares the ending.

For examplePhenytoin

-trexateFolic acid analogue (methotrexate type)

Methotrexate blocks dihydrofolate reductase, so cells lack the reduced folate they need to make DNA. Pemetrexed and raltitrexed end in -trexed, the stem for thymidylate synthase inhibitors.

For exampleMethotrexate

-tril, -trilatNeprilysin (endopeptidase) inhibitor

Sacubitril, given with valsartan, blocks neprilysin, which breaks down natriuretic peptides; its active form is sacubitrilat. One letter away from -pril (ACE inhibitors).

For exampleSacubitril/valsartan

-triptan5-HT1B/1D agonist for migraine (triptan)

Sumatriptan stimulates serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptors to stop migraine and cluster headache attacks; rizatriptan and zolmitriptan share the stem. Don't confuse it with -triptyline.

For exampleSumatriptan

-triptylineTricyclic antidepressant (amitriptyline type)

Amitriptyline and nortriptyline share it. Imipramine and clomipramine, also tricyclic antidepressants, end in -pramine, and -triptan (sumatriptan) marks migraine drugs.

For exampleAmitriptylineNortriptyline

-trop-Atropine-like antimuscarinic

Marks atropine relatives. Ipratropium and tiotropium add -ium: as quaternary ammonium compounds they are barely absorbed and act in the airways. Somatropin, a growth hormone, fits by chance.

For exampleIpratropiumTiotropiumAtropine

-umabFully human monoclonal antibody

Adalimumab, a TNF blocker made by phage display, is fully human. Read -umab only when no z comes before it: trastuzumab ends in -zumab and is humanized.

For exampleAdalimumab

-uracilUracil derivative (anticancer or antithyroid)

Fluorouracil, an anticancer antimetabolite, and propylthiouracil, an antithyroid drug, share the ending. WHO splits them into -racil and -thiouracil.

For examplePropylthiouracilFluorouracil

-vastatinStatin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor)

Atorvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin and pravastatin block HMG-CoA reductase. WHO files the stem under -stat (enzyme inhibitors); nystatin, an antifungal, is not a statin.

For exampleAtorvastatinSimvastatinRosuvastatinPravastatin

vin-Vinca alkaloid

Vincristine, vinblastine and vinorelbine are vinca alkaloids. Vincristine, from the periwinkle plant, stops microtubules forming so dividing cells stall; it is fatal if not given intravenously.

For exampleVincristine

-virAntiviral

Sub-stems name the target: -ciclovir, -amivir, -fovir, -tegravir, -navir, -buvir, -virine (NNRTIs). Lamivudine and zidovudine are antivirals without it.

For exampleAciclovirOseltamivirTenofovirDolutegravir

-vudineNucleoside antiviral (zidovudine type)

Zidovudine and lamivudine block HIV reverse transcriptase, and lamivudine also treats hepatitis B. WHO files -vudine under -uridine.

For exampleZidovudineLamivudine

-xabanDirect factor Xa inhibitor

Rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban are taken by mouth and block factor Xa directly. Fondaparinux (-parinux) also targets factor Xa, but indirectly.

For exampleRivaroxabanApixabanEdoxaban

-ximabChimeric monoclonal antibody

Chimeric antibodies join mouse variable regions to human constant regions, as in rituximab (against CD20) and infliximab (against TNF). WHO stopped adding this part to names in 2017.

For exampleRituximabInfliximab

-zolidOxazolidinone antibacterial

Linezolid and tedizolid share it; linezolid blocks an early step of bacterial protein synthesis.

For exampleLinezolid

-zumabHumanized monoclonal antibody

Humanized antibodies are human apart from the mouse loops (CDRs) that bind the target, as in trastuzumab (against HER2) and pembrolizumab (against PD-1). WHO stopped adding this part in 2017.

For exampleTrastuzumabPembrolizumab