Chemistry
The Role of Drug Metabolism in the Bioactivation of Prodrugs
Quick fact
Codeine is a classic prodrug that, once consumed, is converted by liver enzymes into morphine—the actual pain-relief active molecule—demonstrating how metabolism can be harnessed to deliver drugs precisely where they're needed.
Why this is interesting
Why do many medicines only start working after your body processes them? The answer lies in a clever metabolic trick called bioactivation.