Prodrugs (/prəʊˈdrʌɡz/) are a type of medication that are inactive when ingested. They require a chemical reaction within the body to become active and produce their therapeutic effects. The prefix "pro-" implies that the drug is a precursor or a "pro-drug" to the active compound. The spelling of "Prodrugs" follows English phonetic conventions in which "o" is pronounced with a long "o" sound and the "s" at the end of the word indicates plural form.
Prodrugs are a type of biologically inactive compound that are specifically designed to undergo a chemical transformation within the body, thus becoming active drugs. These compounds are synthesized in such a way that they are able to be metabolized or transformed into their active form through various enzymatic, chemical, or physical processes.
The concept of prodrugs originated from the need to enhance the pharmaceutical properties of drugs, such as their stability, solubility, absorption, or duration of action. By modifying the chemical structure of a drug molecule, prodrugs can be developed to overcome these limitations and improve their therapeutic efficacy.
Prodrugs are typically administered in an inactive or less active form and are activated within the body through metabolism or other chemical reactions. This conversion occurs through enzymes or other biologically relevant factors present in the body, resulting in the release of the active drug molecule.
The advantage of utilizing prodrugs is that they can optimize drug therapy by increasing the bioavailability, targeting specific sites, reducing toxicity or side effects, and improving patient compliance. Prodrugs have been engineered for a wide range of therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system disorders, and infectious diseases.
In summary, prodrugs are biologically inactive compounds that are intentionally designed to undergo a transformation within the body, resulting in the liberation of the active drug. These modified compounds possess several advantages in terms of improving drug properties and treatment outcomes.
The word "prodrugs" is derived from a combination of two terms: "pro-" and "drugs".
1. "Pro-" is a Latin prefix meaning "before" or "in favor of". It is commonly used to indicate something preparatory or preliminary.
2. "Drugs" refers to substances that have medicinal or pharmacological effects on the body.
When combined, the term "prodrugs" suggests that these substances are inactive or partially active pharmacological agents that undergo a transformation within the body to become active drugs. The prefix "pro-" implies that the drug is in a precursor or inactive state before it is metabolized or modified into its active form within the body.