Dipivefrine
Encyclopedia
Dipivefrine is a prodrug
of epinephrine
used to treat glaucoma
. It is available as ophthalmic solution. It causes vasoconstriction, decreased aqueous humor production, and decreases intraoccular pressure. It is converted to epinephrine upon penetration of the cornea.
Prodrug
A prodrug is a pharmacological substance administered in an inactive form. Once administered, the prodrug is metabolised in vivo into an active metabolite, a process termed bioactivation. The rationale behind the use of a prodrug is generally for absorption, distribution, metabolism, and...
of epinephrine
Epinephrine
Epinephrine is a hormone and a neurotransmitter. It increases heart rate, constricts blood vessels, dilates air passages and participates in the fight-or-flight response of the sympathetic nervous system. In chemical terms, adrenaline is one of a group of monoamines called the catecholamines...
used to treat glaucoma
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disorder in which the optic nerve suffers damage, permanently damaging vision in the affected eye and progressing to complete blindness if untreated. It is often, but not always, associated with increased pressure of the fluid in the eye...
. It is available as ophthalmic solution. It causes vasoconstriction, decreased aqueous humor production, and decreases intraoccular pressure. It is converted to epinephrine upon penetration of the cornea.