Table 1.

Examples of prodrug and the purpose of modification.

Parent Drug	Prodrug	Reason of Modification
Amoxicillin	Sarmoxicillin	Increase distribution
Ampicillin	Bacampicillin, Pivampicillin, Talampicillin	Increase distribution
Ampicillin	Hetacillin Enhance Bioavailability	Increase stability
Carbencillin	Carfecillin, Carindacillin	Enhance Bioavailability
Chloramphenicol	Chloramphenicol palmitate ester	Improve Taste
Chloramphenicol	Chloramphenicol succinate ester	Water solubility
Clindamycin	Clindamycin palmitate ester	Improve taste
Clindamycin	Clindamycin 2’ phosphate ester	Decrease pain on injection
Cefamandole	Cefamandole nafate ester	Stability
Cycloserine	Pentizidone	Stability
Diethylstilbesterol	Fostestrol	Decrease gastric distress
Dopamine	L-dopa	Delivery to brain
Epinephrine	Dipirefrin	Corneal penetration
Erythromycin	Erythromycin ethylsuccinate	Gastric stability
Estradiol	Estradiol cypionate	Extend duration
Elilefrine	Elilefrine stearate ester	Bioavailability
Fluphenazine	Fluphenazine decanoate	Long acting depot injections
Formaldehyde	Methenamine	Urinary tract delivery
Metronidazole	Amino acid esters,	Water solubility
	Benzoyl derivative	Mask taste
Naloxone	Mono and disulphate ester	Extend duration
Nitrogen Mustard	Amide derivative	Delivery to neoplastic tissue
Salicylic acid	Salsalate	Gastrointestinal tolerance and bioavailbility
Sulfisoxazole	Acetyl esters	Improve taste
Testosterone	Testosterone propionate	Extend duration
Triamcinolone	Acetonide	Increase topical activity