Top Drugs for the PTCB Exam: Brand and Generic Names
Updated October 27, 2026
Medications is the biggest domain on the PTCE, 35% of the exam, and knowing common brand and generic names, drug classes and uses is a big part of it. You don’t need to memorize hundreds of names cold. Learn the name endings (suffixes) that tell you a drug’s class, then the most-prescribed drugs below.
Suffixes that tell you the drug class
| Suffix | Drug class | Examples (generic) |
|---|---|---|
| -olol | Beta blockers | metoprolol, atenolol, propranolol |
| -pril | ACE inhibitors | lisinopril, enalapril, benazepril |
| -sartan | Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) | losartan, valsartan, olmesartan |
| -dipine | Calcium channel blockers | amlodipine, nifedipine |
| -statin | HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) | atorvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin |
| -prazole | Proton pump inhibitors | omeprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole |
| -tidine | H2 blockers | famotidine |
| -cillin | Penicillin antibiotics | amoxicillin, penicillin |
| -floxacin | Fluoroquinolone antibiotics | ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin |
| -azole | Azole antifungals | fluconazole |
| -gliflozin | SGLT2 inhibitors | empagliflozin, dapagliflozin |
| -glutide | GLP-1 receptor agonists | semaglutide, liraglutide |
Commonly prescribed drugs
| Brand | Generic | Class or use |
|---|---|---|
| Lipitor | atorvastatin | Statin, high cholesterol |
| Crestor | rosuvastatin | Statin, high cholesterol |
| Zocor | simvastatin | Statin, high cholesterol |
| Synthroid | levothyroxine | Thyroid hormone, hypothyroidism |
| Norvasc | amlodipine | Calcium channel blocker, high blood pressure |
| Zestril, Prinivil | lisinopril | ACE inhibitor, high blood pressure |
| Cozaar | losartan | ARB, high blood pressure |
| Lopressor | metoprolol tartrate | Beta blocker |
| Toprol XL | metoprolol succinate | Beta blocker, extended release |
| Glucophage | metformin | Type 2 diabetes |
| Prilosec | omeprazole | Proton pump inhibitor, acid reflux |
| Protonix | pantoprazole | Proton pump inhibitor, acid reflux |
| Lasix | furosemide | Loop diuretic |
| Microzide | hydrochlorothiazide | Thiazide diuretic |
| Zoloft | sertraline | SSRI antidepressant |
| Lexapro | escitalopram | SSRI antidepressant |
| Desyrel | trazodone | Antidepressant, often for sleep |
| Neurontin | gabapentin | Nerve pain, seizures |
| Coumadin | warfarin | Anticoagulant |
| Eliquis | apixaban | Anticoagulant |
| Xarelto | rivaroxaban | Anticoagulant |
| Plavix | clopidogrel | Antiplatelet |
| Singulair | montelukast | Asthma, allergies |
| Flomax | tamsulosin | Enlarged prostate (BPH) |
| Ultram | tramadol | Opioid pain reliever (Schedule IV) |
| Zyrtec | cetirizine | Antihistamine |
Free practice quiz
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What is the generic name for Lipitor?Answer: CLipitor is atorvastatin, a statin used to lower cholesterol. Simvastatin is Zocor, rosuvastatin is Crestor, and lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor.
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A drug name ends in "-pril". Which class does it most likely belong to?Answer: DThe suffix "-pril" marks ACE inhibitors, such as lisinopril and enalapril, used for high blood pressure and heart failure.
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What is the brand name of levothyroxine?Answer: ASynthroid is levothyroxine, a thyroid hormone replacement. Glucophage is metformin, Norvasc is amlodipine and Coumadin is warfarin.
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Which drug is an anticoagulant?Answer: BApixaban (Eliquis) is an anticoagulant that prevents blood clots. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor, sertraline is an antidepressant, and montelukast treats asthma and allergies.
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Metoprolol succinate and metoprolol tartrate differ mainly in that:Answer: CBoth are the beta blocker metoprolol, but the succinate salt is an extended-release product (Toprol XL) usually taken once a day, while the tartrate salt (Lopressor) is immediate release. They aren't interchangeable without a new prescription.
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Which drug is a proton pump inhibitor?Answer: DThe "-prazole" suffix marks proton pump inhibitors such as pantoprazole (Protonix). Famotidine is an H2 blocker, furosemide is a loop diuretic, and gabapentin treats nerve pain and seizures.
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What is the generic name for Flomax?Answer: AFlomax is tamsulosin, used for symptoms of an enlarged prostate. These similar-looking names are a common look-alike, sound-alike trap, which is also why they come up in patient safety questions.
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What is the generic name for Zithromax?Answer: CZithromax is azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic. Amoxil is amoxicillin, Cipro is ciprofloxacin and Keflex is cephalexin.
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Which drug is a benzodiazepine?Answer: DLorazepam is a benzodiazepine, like alprazolam and clonazepam; the "-azepam" and "-azolam" endings are a clue. Sertraline is an SSRI, bupropion is an atypical antidepressant and quetiapine is an antipsychotic.
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Ventolin and ProAir are brand names for which drug?Answer: AVentolin and ProAir are albuterol, a short-acting bronchodilator used as a rescue inhaler for asthma and COPD.
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What is the brand name of fluoxetine?Answer: BProzac is fluoxetine. Paxil is paroxetine, Celexa is citalopram and Lexapro is escitalopram; all are SSRIs.
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Jardiance (empagliflozin) belongs to which drug class?Answer: CEmpagliflozin is an SGLT2 inhibitor, marked by the "-gliflozin" suffix, used for type 2 diabetes and also for heart failure and chronic kidney disease.
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Which drug is used to prevent gout attacks by lowering uric acid?Answer: DAllopurinol (Zyloprim) lowers uric acid production and is used to prevent gout attacks. Meloxicam is an NSAID, cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant and prednisone is a corticosteroid.
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What is the generic name for Coreg?Answer: ACoreg is carvedilol, a beta blocker used for heart failure and high blood pressure. Tenormin is atenolol.
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Lantus is a brand of which type of medication?Answer: BLantus is insulin glargine, a long-acting basal insulin usually given once a day. Rapid-acting insulins include lispro and aspart.
How to study drug names
Learn in small groups by class, not alphabetically, so the suffixes do half the work. Say the brand and generic names out loud together, and quiz yourself both ways: brand to generic and generic to brand.
Pass the PTCB exam on your first try
- All 194 questions across medications, federal requirements, patient safety and order entry
- An explanation for every answer, with the law, standard or label behind it
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