Prodrug Ingredients (159)

A prodrug refers to a class of compounds that are either inactive or exhibit minimal activity, which are transformed within the body into metabolites or parent drugs with pharmacological activity or significantly enhanced pharmacological effects, either through enzymatic catalysis or non-enzymatic processes. Prodrugs can be classified into two main categories: Carrier-linked prodrugs, where the parent drug is covalently bonded to a carrier, and the active drug is released after the carrier is removed via biodegradation or chemical reactions within the body. The carrier is typically 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, after undergoing a series of enzymatic transformations in the body, releases the parent drug to exert its therapeutic effects.