PRODRUG Meaning and
Definition
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A prodrug is a concept employed in pharmacology that refers to a biologically inactive compound or molecule that is administered into the body and subsequently undergoes a biochemical transformation to convert it into an active drug. In simpler terms, it is a chemical substance that is designed to be converted into a therapeutic drug inside the body after administration. The conversion process typically involves enzymatic or chemical reactions that occur naturally within the body, resulting in the release of the active drug.
The primary rationale behind developing prodrugs is to improve the pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic properties of a drug. This means that prodrugs can enhance aspects such as drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination rates, while also reducing potential adverse effects. By modifying a drug into a prodrug form, it may exhibit improved solubility, better stability, increased selectivity, or greater lipophilicity, ultimately leading to enhanced therapeutic outcomes.
Prodrugs can be classified into different types, depending on their mode of activation, such as enzymatic prodrugs and carrier-linked prodrugs. The enzymatic prodrugs require specific enzymes to convert them into active drugs, while carrier-linked prodrugs release their active moiety after they interact with specific endogenous molecules present within the body.
Overall, the rationale behind developing prodrugs is to optimize drug characteristics, improve efficacy, and minimize unwanted side effects, with the aim of delivering safer and more effective therapies to patients.
Common Misspellings for PRODRUG
Etymology of PRODRUG
The word "prodrug" is a combination of two terms: "pro-" and "drug".
1. "Pro-" is a prefix derived from Latin and Greek. It means "before" or "in advance". In the context of the word "prodrug", it implies that the compound is a precursor or an inactive form that undergoes a chemical conversion within the body to become an active drug.
2. "Drug" originates from the Dutch word "droog", which means "dry". In the English language, it refers to any substance used to treat, cure, or alleviate symptoms of an illness.
Combining these two components, the word "prodrug" was coined to describe a substance that is administered in an inactive or less active form and is converted into an active drug inside the body. The term was first introduced in medicinal chemistry during the 1950s.
