PTCB Quiz Prep

PTCB Drug Class Guides

These are pharmacology reference guides for the Medications domain, the largest section of the PTCE. Each guide covers one drug class end to end: the specific drugs and their brand names, the mechanism of action, the side effects and interactions you are expected to know, the counseling points, and practice questions with cited answers.

Use them to build the background knowledge the exam assumes, then confirm what you have learned with the practice questions at the end of each guide. Pick a class below to start.

10

drug-class guides

81

drugs covered

50

practice questions

Statins

Also called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors · suffix -statin

PTCB study guide to statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors): the drugs, mechanism of action, key side effects, interactions, and 5 practice questions with cited answers.

ACE Inhibitors

Also called Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors · suffix -pril

PTCB study guide to ACE inhibitors (the -pril drugs): mechanism of action, the drugs, dry cough and angioedema side effects, interactions, and 5 cited practice questions.

ARBs

Also called Angiotensin II receptor blockers · suffix -sartan

PTCB study guide to ARBs (angiotensin II receptor blockers, the -sartan drugs): mechanism, the drugs, how they differ from ACE inhibitors, side effects, and 5 cited practice questions.

Beta Blockers

Also called Beta-adrenergic blocking agents · suffix -olol

PTCB study guide to beta blockers (the -olol drugs): mechanism of action, the drugs, bradycardia and hypoglycemia-masking side effects, interactions, and 5 cited practice questions.

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Also called PPIs, gastric H+/K+ ATPase inhibitors · suffix -prazole

PTCB study guide to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs, the -prazole drugs): the drugs, mechanism of action, key side effects, the clopidogrel interaction, and 5 cited practice questions.

SSRIs

Also called Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors · suffix no single suffix

PTCB study guide to SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors): the drugs, mechanism of action, key side effects, serotonin syndrome interactions, and 5 practice questions with cited answers.

Benzodiazepines

Also called benzos (BZDs), GABA-A receptor positive allosteric modulators · suffix -azepam and -azolam (often shortened to -pam and -lam)

PTCB study guide to benzodiazepines (the -pam and -lam drugs): mechanism, Schedule IV status, side effects, the opioid interaction, and 5 practice questions with cited answers.

Opioids

Also called opioid analgesics (narcotic analgesics) · suffix no single suffix

PTCB study guide to opioid analgesics: the drugs and brand names, mu receptor mechanism, DEA schedules, key side effects, naloxone reversal, and 5 practice questions with cited answers.

NSAIDs

Also called Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs · suffix no single suffix

PTCB study guide to NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs): the drugs, mechanism of action, key side effects, interactions, and 5 practice questions with cited answers.

Antidiabetic Drugs

Also called oral antidiabetic medications and injectable non-insulin agents for type 2 diabetes · suffix class-specific suffixes

PTCB study guide to antidiabetic drugs for type 2 diabetes: metformin, sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors (-gliptin), SGLT2 inhibitors (-gliflozin), and GLP-1 agonists (-glutide), with mechanisms, side effects, and 5 cited practice questions.

All drug classes compared

Every guide at a glance. The suffix column is the fastest route to an answer on the exam: if you can spot the stem, you can usually name the class.

ClassSuffix or stemDrugs coveredMainly used for
Statins-statin7high cholesterol and cardiovascular risk reduction
ACE Inhibitors-pril7high blood pressure and heart failure
ARBs-sartan8high blood pressure and heart failure
Beta Blockers-olol8high blood pressure, angina, heart failure, and arrhythmias
Proton Pump Inhibitors-prazole6GERD, peptic ulcers, and other acid-related conditions
SSRIsno single suffix6depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders
Benzodiazepines-azepam and -azolam (often shortened to -pam and -lam)6anxiety, insomnia, seizures, alcohol withdrawal, and procedural sedation
Opioidsno single suffix10moderate to severe pain
NSAIDsno single suffix8pain, inflammation, and fever
Antidiabetic Drugsclass-specific suffixes15type 2 diabetes and blood glucose control

These guides are part of the PTCB Medications domain. When you are ready to check your recall, test yourself with the drug class identification quiz.