prodrugn.
/ˈprəʊdrʌɡ/, U.S. /ˈproʊˌdrəɡ/ Biochemistry and Physiology.
Any (usually biologically inactive) compound that can be converted into an active drug in the body by metabolic processes; a compound from which a given drug is metabolized.
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the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > [noun] > that from which drug is metabolized
prodrug1968
1968 Jrnl. Pharmaceut. Sci. 57 779/2 Carbonate and carboxylate esters prepared as potential prodrugs of acetaminophen were shown to have a variety of physicochemical properties, particularly lipid and water solubilities.
1979 European Jrnl. Pharmacol. 60 95 Prodrug methodology may thus prove useful in designing new selectively acting DA [= dopamine] agonists.
1994 Daily Tel. 29 July 6/6 A ‘prodrug’ that reacts with the enzyme to make a short-lasting anti-cancer drug is given to the patient.
2000 J. C. Mcauliffe & O. Hindsgaul in M. Fukuda & O. Hindsgaul Molecular & Cellular Glycobiol. viii. 272 Several reports detail the synthesis of carbohydrate containing prodrugs of cytotoxic alkylating agents such as cyclophosphamide and isophosphoramide.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1968