Question

question 113

a pharmacy technician is filling a prescription for metoprolol succinate (toprol xl). the technician should recognize that the suffix -olol indicates this medication belongs to which drug class?

alpha blockers
ace inhibitors
beta blockers
calcium channel blockers

Explanation:

Identify the target drug and suffix

Using the Metoprolol Formulations knowledge point, the medication in question is metoprolol succinate. The prompt asks to identify the drug class indicated by the suffix "-olol".

Map the suffix to its drug class

Using the Pharmacology Suffixes knowledge point

$$ \text{"-olol"} \implies \text{Beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists (Beta blockers)} $$

Evaluate the given options

• Alpha blockers: Typically end in suffixes like "-osin" (e.g., doxazosin, prazosin).
• ACE inhibitors: Typically end in the suffix "-pril" (e.g., lisinopril, enalapril).
• Beta blockers: Characteristically end in the suffix "-olol" (e.g., metoprolol, atenolol, propranolol).
• Calcium channel blockers: Often end in "-dipine" (e.g., amlodipine, nifedipine), though some non-dihydropyridines differ.

Answer:

• Alpha blockers
• ACE inhibitors
• Beta blockers (Correct answer)
• Calcium channel blockers