What is the “USAN stem” for sartan (angiotensin receptor blockers)?
The USAN (United States Adopted Names) naming stem for angiotensin receptor blockers is -sartan. This suffix appears in the generic (non-brand) name of ARBs, such as losartan, valsartan, irbesartan, candesartan, and telmisartan. [1][2]
How do you recognize an ARB from the generic name?
If a drug’s generic name ends with -sartan, it is almost always an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). That naming convention is part of how USAN stems help distinguish drug classes. [1][2]
Are there exceptions—what if the name doesn’t end in “-sartan”?
Most ARBs use -sartan, but the converse is not always true: some drugs can have similar-looking endings yet belong to different classes. For a sure classification, you still need to confirm the drug’s mechanism (ARB vs. something else) rather than relying only on the suffix. [1][2]
Quick reference: common -sartan ARBs
Common examples of -sartan drugs include:
losartan, valsartan, irbesartan, candesartan, and telmisartan. [1][2]
Sources
- https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/patient-education/drug-names-explained-stems
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279144/