Prodrug
Prodrug
A Prodrug (/ˈproʊdrʌɡ/) is a type of medication or drug that, after administration, is metabolized (i.e., converted within the body) into a pharmacologically active drug. Instead of administering a drug directly, a corresponding prodrug can be used to improve how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted (ADME).
Etymology
The term "prodrug" is a blend of the words "progenitor" and "drug", first appearing in the literature in the 1950s. It refers to a drug that is a precursor to the actual active substance, requiring metabolic conversion within the body to become active.
Mechanism of Action
Prodrugs are designed to enhance the bioavailability of a drug, improve its selectivity, and decrease its toxicity. They are inactive or less active in their administered form and must undergo enzymatic or chemical transformation in the body to be converted into their active forms.
Examples
Some examples of prodrugs include Codeine, Levodopa, and Psilocybin. Codeine is a prodrug that is metabolized into morphine, Levodopa is converted into dopamine, and Psilocybin is metabolized into psilocin.
Related Terms
- Pharmacology: The branch of medicine that deals with the uses, effects, and modes of action of drugs.
- Metabolism: The chemical processes in the body that convert or use energy.
- Enzyme: A substance produced by a living organism that acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Prodrug
- Wikipedia's article - Prodrug
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