Drug Metabolism · Pharmacology

What happens during the 'De-alkylation' of a drug molecule?

  1. A water molecule is added across a double bond
  2. The molecule is converted into its mirror-image stereoisomer
  3. An alkyl group is removed from the drug molecule
  4. A nitrogen atom is replaced by an oxygen atom
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Correct answer: An alkyl group is removed from the drug molecule

De-alkylation is a common Phase I oxidative reaction catalyzed by CYP450. For example, the conversion of Codeine to Morphine involves O-demethylation (the removal of a methyl group).

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