Proton pump inhibitors | | |
Esomeprazole (Nexium) Lansoprazole (Prevacid) Pantoprazole (Protonix) Rabeprazole (Aciphex) | Formation of active sulfonamide form | Bioprecursor prodrugs that are converted into their respective active sulfonamide forms site-selectively in acidic conditions of stomach |
Antiplatelet agent | | |
Clopidogrel (Plavix) | Formation of the active thiol | Bioprecursor prodrug that selectively inhibits platelet aggregation |
Antiviral agent | | |
Valacyclovir (Valtrex) | l-Valyl ester of acyclovir | Bioconversion by valacyclovir hydrolase (valacyclovirase) |
| | Transported predominantly by hPEPT1 |
| | Oral bioavailability improved from 12–20% (acyclovir) to 54% (valacyclovir) |
Hypercholesterolemia | | |
Fenofibrate (Tricor) | Isopropyl ester of fenofibric acid | Lipophilic ester of fenofibric acid |
Antiviral agent | | |
Tenofovir disoproxil (Atripla) | Bis-(isopropyloxy-carbonyloxymethyl) ester of tenofovir | Bioconversion by esterases and phosphodiesterases |
| | The oral bioavailability of tenofovir from tenofovir disoproxil is 39% after food |
Psychostimulant | | |
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) | l-Lysyl amide of dextroamphetamine | Bioconversion by intestinal or hepatic hydrolases |
| | Reduced potential for abuse due to prolonged release of active drug |
Influenza | | |
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) | Ethyl ester of oseltamivir carboxylate | Improved bioavailability compared with oseltamivir carboxylate, allowing oral administration |
Hypertension | | |
Olmesartan medoxomil (Benicar) | Cyclic carbonate ester of olmesartan | Improved bioavailability compared with olmesartan, allowing oral administration |
Immunosuppressant | | |
Mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept) | Morpholinyl ethyl ester of mycophenolic acid | Improved oral bioavailability with less variability |
Glaucoma | | |
Latanoprost (Xalatan) | Isopropyl ester of latanoprost acid | Bioconversion by esterases |
| | Improved lipophilicity to achieve better ocular absorption and safety |