Key Takeaways
- Generic names are universal and assigned by USAN; brand names are proprietary and trademarked by manufacturers.
- Drugs are classified by therapeutic category (what they treat) or pharmacological class (how they work).
- Common drug suffixes help identify drug classes (e.g., -pril for ACE inhibitors, -statin for HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors).
- Pharmacy technicians must know both generic and brand names for top prescribed medications.
- Drug classifications include cardiovascular, CNS, analgesics, anti-infectives, endocrine, and respiratory agents.
Last updated: January 2026
Generic and Brand Drug Names & Classifications
Understanding drug nomenclature and classification is fundamental for pharmacy technicians. This knowledge helps with prescription processing, inventory management, and patient safety.
Generic vs. Brand Names
Every medication has at least two names: a generic name and a brand name.
| Name Type | Description | Example | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generic Name | Official, non-proprietary name | metformin | Lowercase, assigned by USAN, universal worldwide |
| Brand Name | Proprietary, trademarked name | Glucophage | Capitalized, owned by manufacturer, marketing name |
Generic Names
The generic name (also called the nonproprietary name) is:
- Assigned by the United States Adopted Names (USAN) Council
- Written in lowercase letters
- The same regardless of manufacturer
- Used in pharmacy references and medical literature
Brand Names
The brand name (also called the trade name or proprietary name) is:
- Created and trademarked by the manufacturer
- Written with initial capital letter
- May have multiple brand names for the same generic drug
- Often easier for patients to remember
Example: The generic drug atorvastatin is sold under the brand name Lipitor by Pfizer.
Common Drug Suffixes
Learning drug name suffixes helps identify the drug class and mechanism of action. This is critical for the PTCE exam.
Cardiovascular Drug Suffixes
| Suffix | Drug Class | Example Generic | Example Brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| -pril | ACE Inhibitors | lisinopril | Zestril, Prinivil |
| -sartan | ARBs (Angiotensin Receptor Blockers) | losartan | Cozaar |
| -olol | Beta Blockers | metoprolol | Lopressor, Toprol-XL |
| -dipine | Calcium Channel Blockers (Dihydropyridines) | amlodipine | Norvasc |
| -statin | HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors | atorvastatin | Lipitor |
Anti-Infective Drug Suffixes
| Suffix | Drug Class | Example Generic | Example Brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| -cillin | Penicillins | amoxicillin | Amoxil |
| -mycin/-micin | Aminoglycosides | gentamicin | Garamycin |
| -floxacin | Fluoroquinolones | ciprofloxacin | Cipro |
| -cycline | Tetracyclines | doxycycline | Vibramycin |
| -azole | Antifungals (Azoles) | fluconazole | Diflucan |
| -vir | Antivirals | acyclovir | Zovirax |
CNS and Psychiatric Drug Suffixes
| Suffix | Drug Class | Example Generic | Example Brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| -pam/-lam | Benzodiazepines | lorazepam, alprazolam | Ativan, Xanax |
| -triptan | Migraine Medications | sumatriptan | Imitrex |
| -prazole | Proton Pump Inhibitors | omeprazole | Prilosec |
| -tidine | H2 Blockers | famotidine | Pepcid |
Diabetes Drug Suffixes
| Suffix | Drug Class | Example Generic | Example Brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| -gliptin | DPP-4 Inhibitors | sitagliptin | Januvia |
| -glutide | GLP-1 Agonists | semaglutide | Ozempic, Wegovy |
| -gliflozin | SGLT2 Inhibitors | empagliflozin | Jardiance |
Drug Classification Systems
Drugs can be classified by:
- Therapeutic Category - What condition they treat (e.g., antihypertensives, antibiotics)
- Pharmacological Class - How they work (mechanism of action)
- Chemical Structure - Their molecular composition
Major Therapeutic Categories
| Category | Purpose | Common Drug Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular | Heart and blood vessel conditions | Beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, statins, diuretics |
| CNS/Neurological | Brain and nervous system | Antidepressants, anticonvulsants, anxiolytics |
| Anti-Infectives | Infections | Antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals |
| Endocrine/Metabolic | Hormones and metabolism | Diabetes medications, thyroid drugs |
| Respiratory | Lung and breathing | Bronchodilators, corticosteroids, antihistamines |
| Gastrointestinal | Digestive system | PPIs, H2 blockers, antiemetics |
| Analgesics | Pain relief | NSAIDs, opioids, acetaminophen |
| Musculoskeletal | Muscles and bones | Muscle relaxants, bisphosphonates |
Exam Tips
- When you see a drug name ending in a common suffix, you can often identify its class even if you've never seen the specific drug before.
- Know the top 200 drugs by both generic and brand names.
- Generic substitution laws allow pharmacists to substitute FDA-approved generics unless the prescriber indicates "DAW" (Dispense As Written).
Test Your Knowledge
A prescription is written for "Lipitor 20 mg." What is the generic name for this medication?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
A drug with the suffix "-pril" belongs to which drug class?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
Which of the following correctly pairs a generic name with its brand name?
A
B
C
D