The combining form -olol refers to which pharmacologic class?

• A. Beta blocker
• B. Antibiotic
• C. Vasodilator
• D. Analgesic

Answer: (A)

The suffix -olol designates beta-adrenergic blocking agents, or beta-blockers. These drugs block beta receptors, especially beta-1 receptors in the heart, which reduces heart rate, lowers the force of heart contractions, and often lowers blood pressure. They can also lessen renin release by the kidneys, contributing to their antihypertensive effect. Because this suffix is specifically tied to beta-blockers, it’s the best match among the options. Antibiotics and analgesics use different suffixes, and vasodilators don’t share a single defining suffix like -olol. Examples such as propranolol and metoprolol illustrate how this naming convention signals the beta-blocker class.