Many medications in the non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antiviral class have names that end with which suffix?

Medications in the non-HIV antiviral class are often characterized by their naming convention, which typically ends with the suffix "-vir." This suffix is derived from the Latin word "virus" and indicates that the medication is an antiviral agent. The "-vir" suffix is common among many classes of antiviral drugs, including those that treat other viral infections such as hepatitis, herpes, and influenza.

For example, drugs like acyclovir and antiretroviral agents for treating viruses other than HIV commonly feature this suffix, underscoring their mechanism of action as inhibitors of viral replication. This consistent naming pattern helps healthcare professionals easily identify the class of drugs and their intended use in combating viral infections.

Other suffixes mentioned, such as "-cillin" (associated with penicillin antibiotics), "-mivir" (related to antiviral medications like oseltamivir for influenza but less broadly applicable), and "-floxacin" (representing fluoroquinolone antibiotics), pertain to different classes of medications and do not generally apply to non-HIV antiviral drugs, reinforcing why "-vir" is the appropriate and recognized suffix for this category.