Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry

Prodrug: A substance that before metabolism has little or no drug activity. Metabolism alters the prodrug's molecular structure, producing the active (or more active) form of the drug.

	Metabolism
Molecular structure of Prontosil, a red diazo dye. Lacks in vitro antibiotic activity.		In vivo metabolism converts Prontosil into sulfanilamide, a sulfa drug which is the active antibiotic.