What is an example of a prodrug?

A prodrug is a pharmacologically inactive compound that, following administration, is metabolized in the body into an active drug that exerts a therapeutic effect. In this context, codeine serves as a classic example of a prodrug. It is administratively inactive until it is metabolized by the liver into morphine, which is the compound that provides analgesia.

The transformation of codeine into morphine illustrates the concept of prodrugs, where the metabolic process is crucial for the drug's efficacy. This metabolism usually occurs through enzymatic activity, often involving isoenzymes in the cytochrome P450 family, which is essential for activating the prodrug and contributing to its therapeutic effects.

In contrast, the other options listed, including ibuprofen, paracetamol, and aspirin, are not prodrugs. They are already active in their administered forms and do not require metabolic conversion to exert their effects. Understanding prodrugs is essential in pharmacokinetics as it emphasizes the interplay between drug formulation, metabolism, and therapeutic efficacy.