Mechanisms, explained simply10 min read
What does -prazole mean?
The -prazole stem marks a proton pump inhibitor. Why irreversible binding makes the effect outlast the drug, why dosing is before food, and the CYP2C19 trap.
Blog — Tag
drug stems.
Mechanisms, explained simply10 min read
What do -azepam and -azolam mean?
The -azepam and -azolam stems mark benzodiazepines. Why frequency rather than duration of channel opening makes them safer than barbiturates, and which are safe in liver disease.
Mechanisms, explained simply10 min read
What does -dipine mean?
The -dipine stem marks a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker acting on vessels rather than the heart. Why that causes ankle oedema and reflex tachycardia.
Mechanisms, explained simply10 min read
What does -terol mean?
The -terol stem marks a beta-2 agonist. Why the same receptor causes bronchodilation, tremor and low potassium, and why a long-acting one is never used alone in asthma.
Mechanisms, explained simply10 min read
What does -floxacin mean?
The -floxacin stem marks a fluoroquinolone inhibiting DNA gyrase. Why tendon rupture, QT prolongation and the chelation interaction all follow from the class.
Exam traps: X vs Y9 min read
Mycin vs micin: one letter, two organisms
The endings mark the organism that produced the antibiotic, not how it works. Why gentamicin and erythromycin are spelled differently and share nothing else.
How to study10 min read
Drug suffixes in pharmacology: what stems tell you
Stems are assigned by mechanism, so -olol, -pril and -sartan predict the target before you memorise anything. How the system works and exactly where it stops.