1. A medication or chemical compound that is inactive or less active in its administered form but is converted into an active drug by metabolic processes in the body.
Usage: pharmaceutical/medical term; commonly used in pharmacology and drug development

Examples

• Codeine is a prodrug that the body converts into morphine.
• Researchers designed the prodrug to improve drug absorption in the intestines.
• The prodrug approach allows doctors to deliver medication more effectively to target tissues.
• Many antiviral prodrugs are activated by enzymes in infected cells.
• The pharmaceutical company developed a prodrug formulation to reduce side effects.