Cardiovascular system and blood pressure
A vast array of pharmacological drugs is aimed at treating diseases of the heart and blood vessels. To quickly recognize their purpose, it is enough to pay attention to specific term elements:
- Cardiac agents (cardiotonics, as well as coronary vasodilators) contain the segments -cor(d)- or the Greek root -card(i)-. Examples of such drugs include Chromocor, Stenicardol, and Cordarol.
- Vascular drugs (antispasmodics and vasodilators) are marked by the segments -vas- and the Greek -ang(i)-. For example: Vasocor, Divascol, and Angitol.
- Agents affecting blood pressure (primarily antihypertensives, i.e., those that lower it) include the particles -pres(s)- or -ten(s)-. Characteristic names: Depressan, Regutensin, and Protensyl.
Treatment of pain, spasms, and inflammation
Pharmacological names often state directly which clinical symptom they are intended to eliminate:
- Pain relievers (analgesics) contain the segments -dol- or -alg- (from the Greek word meaning "pain"). This is easily seen in names such as Antidol or Exalgin.
- Antispasmodics, used to treat muscle spasms, contain the logical and understandable segment spasm-, as in the drugs Spasmex or Spasmol.
- Antimicrobial medications (bactericidal and antiseptic agents) are easily recognized by the suffix -cid-, which translates as "to kill". This is precisely what is present in the names Streptocidum and Gramicidinum.
- Antiallergic drugs contain a direct indication of altered body reactivity — the segment -aller(g)- (for example, in the drugs Allergol or Allerton).
Drugs affecting the nervous system
Drugs affecting the central nervous system are divided into several basic groups with their own unique markers:
- Hypnotics and general anesthetics (non-inhalational) include the segments -hypn- (of Greek origin) or -dorm- (from the Latin verb dormio — to sleep). Classic examples: Hypnomidate, Dormicum.
- Sedatives contain the root -sed-, derived from the Latin word meaning "to calm" (Sedalgin, Seduxen).
- Barbiturates (hypnotic or narcotic agents that are derivatives of barbituric acid) always have the element -barb- in their name (Phenobarbitalum, Proxibarbal).
ENT organs, eyes, and other specialized groups
Many frequency segments directly indicate a specific organ for which the drug is intended, or the medical intervention specialty:
- Nasal diseases are treated with drugs containing the segments nas- or r(h)in- (Nasivin, Nasonex).
- Otic agents contain the Greek root ot- (Otinum, Otipax).
- Ophthalmological drugs (for the eyes) have the greatest variety of term elements: oc-, ok-, oc(u)-, opht(h)alm-, opht(h)-, oft-, opt(ic)-. They can be found in the names Okacin, Betoptic, Octilia, and Oftensin.
- Gynecological drugs are designated by the segments fem- or gyn- (Femara, Gynalgin).
- Dermatological agents (used to treat skin diseases) include cut(i)- or -derm- (Psorcutan, Dermatolum).
- Androgens (male sex hormone preparations) are marked by the roots -test- (testicle), -andr-, and -vir- (man). Examples: Testoviron, Androtin.
- Vitamins are easily recognized by the multivitamin segment -vit- (Hexavitum, Undevitum), while laxatives are identified by the element -lax- (Regulax).
Briefly: answers to topical questions
Which frequency segments indicate penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics?
Antibiotics of the penicillin group are designated by the common stem `-cillinum` or `-cillin-`, while cephalosporin antibiotics are indicated by the frequency segment `-cef-` or `-ceph-`.
Many frequency segments are consonant with Russian clinical terms. For example, -card(i)- is associated with cardiology, -derm- with dermatology, and -vit- with vitamins. To memorize the segment -cid- (to kill), simply recall the words "suicide" or "bactericidal".
Class and exam questions
How to distinguish cardiac drugs from vascular drugs by their name?
Cardiac agents contain the stems -cor(d)- and -card(i)-, whereas vascular drugs can be identified by the elements -vas- and -ang(i)-.
Which segment indicates a hypnotic effect of a drug?
Hypnotic drugs usually contain the segments -hypn- (Greek root) or -dorm- (from the Latin word meaning "to sleep").
What does the element -pres(s)- mean in a drug name?
The segments -pres(s)- and -ten(s)- indicate that the drug affects blood pressure. Most often, these are antihypertensive agents designed to lower blood pressure.
What else to study on this topic
- Specifics of writing International Nonproprietary Names (INN) in Latin.
- Principles of forming trade names for combined medicinal products.
- Differences in the use of Greek and Latin doublets for the same anatomical structures.
- The structure of compound-shortened words in modern pharmaceutical terminology.
Master the entire topic in the "Latin Language" course
This is a summary. The course covers everything tested in classes and exams.
- Complete study guide on "Frequency segments in drug names" and 2,323 more pages of the subject
- Assignments and quizzes after every topic — just like in a colloquium
- AI tutor answers questions on the topic anytime
- 107 video lessons on the subject
Other topics in the "Dosage Forms" section
Prepared by WhiteCoat Pro faculty in accordance with the medical school curriculum. For educational purposes only.