Question

What is a prodrug?

(a) An excipient which helps in creating the environment for the drug-dissolving

(b) Chemically drug precursor

(c) Excipient of drug formulation

(d) A drug which is used by professionals

I had been asked this question by my college professor while I was bunking the class.

This interesting question is from Prodrugs topic in division Prodrugs & Excretion of Drugs of Drug Biotechnology

Answer 1

Correct option is (b) Chemically drug precursor

The best I can explain: A prodrug is a chemically manufactured inert drug precursor which in biotransformation will give the pharmacologically active drug compound. Prodrugs are inactive when given as a dosage, but upon biotransformation gives active metabolites.