Classify prodrugs. Give examples of any two prodrugs. (Bio Organic Chemistry & Drug Design)
Answers
Prodrugs can be classified into two major types,based on how the body converts the prodrug into the final active drug form:
Type I prodrugs are bioactivated inside the cells (intracellularly). Examples of these are anti-viral nucleoside analogs that must be phosphorylated and the lipid-lowering statins.
Type II prodrugs are bioactivated outside cells (extracellularly), especially in digestive fluids or in the body's circulatory system, particularly in the blood. Examples of Type II prodrugs are salicin (described above) and certain antibody-, gene- or virus-directed enzyme prodrugs used in chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
Both major types can be further categorized into subtypes, based on factors such as
(Type I) whether the intracellular bioactivation location is also the site of therapeutic action, or
(Type 2) whether or not bioactivation occurs in the gastrointestinal fluids or in the circulation system.