Prodrug Ingredients (159)

A prodrug refers to a class of compounds that are either inactive or only weakly active until they are converted within the body into metabolites or parent drugs with pharmacological activity or significantly enhanced activity. This conversion occurs through enzymatic catalysis or non-enzymatic processes. Prodrugs can be categorized into two main types: Carrier-linked prodrugs, where the parent drug is covalently bonded to a carrier, and the active drug is released after the carrier is removed through biodegradation or chemical reactions in the body. The carrier is often lipophilic and can range from small molecules like fatty chains or polyethylene glycol to larger molecules such as albumin or antibodies. Bioprecursor prodrugs, on the other hand, involve chemical modification of the active ingredient, which undergoes a series of enzymatic transformations in the body to release the parent drug and achieve its therapeutic effect.