Medical Definition of Prodrug
Prodrug: A precursor (forerunner) of a drug. A prodrug must undergo chemical conversion by metabolic processes before becoming an active pharmacological agent. For example, sulfasalazine is a prodrug. It is not active in its ingested form. It has to be broken down by bacteria in the colon into two products -- 5-aminosalicylic acid (5ASA) and sulfapyridine -- before becoming active as a drug.
Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionaryhttp://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=23992
Last Editorial Review: 1/25/2017
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