title: [Prodrugs].
abstract: Prodrugs are pharmacologically inert and nontoxic chemical compounds which are transformed in vivo into pharmacologically and therapeutically active compounds, i.e. drugs. Prodrugs are used to solve problems which cannot be solved by the drugs themselves. There are three types of problems: problems arising before the drug enters the body (solubilization, stabilization and improved acceptability); problems associated with the penetration and fate of the drug in the body (absorption, barrier crossing, duration of action); problems relating to the therapeutic target (selective local delivery). The principal prodrugs that solve these problems and the mechanisms of the solutions they provide are described and discussed.
authors: Service de Pharmacologie clinique, Hôpital de Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre.
authors: J F
authors: JF
authors: Giudicelli
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000667:Ampicillin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001374:Azacitidine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D004351:Drug Resistance; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008981:Molsidomine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D010917:Pivampicillin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D013467:Sulindac / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011355:Prodrugs; D010917:Pivampicillin; D013467:Sulindac; D000667:Ampicillin; C011674:bacampicillin; D008981:Molsidomine; D001374:Azacitidine
vernacular_title: Les promédicaments.