Rate-Limiting Step: Difference between revisions

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In chemistry, many catalytic reactions have a '''rate-limiting step'''.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rate-determining_step</ref> The catalyst is necessary for the reaction to happen, and if there are no spare catalysts, the process has achieved maximum efficiency, whereby adding more of the chemical to be converted does not speed up proceedings or increase total concentrations of the end result.

In drug chemistry, this is often an enzyme involved in the metabolism of a drug. Once there are no more free catalysts available, the reaction has reached its maximum speed. This is especially relevant for [[prodrug|prodrugs]], which are inert when ingested, but metabolized into an active form. If the enzymes required to transform the drug into the (more) active form are satiated, the production of active substance can go no faster. This leads to a slower buildup of active substance, and can occasion a '''ceiling effect''' where adding more drugs does not get the user any higher, although it may prolong the experience and exacerbate side effects.

In drug chemistry, this is often an enzyme involved in the metabolism of a drug. Once there are no more free catalysts available, the reaction has reached its maximum speed. This is especially relevant for [[prodrug|prodrugs]], which are inert when ingested, but metabolized into an active form. If the enzymes required to transform the drug into the (more) active form are satiated, the production of active substance can go no faster. This leads to a slower buildup of active substance, and can occasion a '''ceiling effect''' where adding more drugs does not get the user any higher, although it may prolong the experience and exacerbate side effects.{{citation needed}}

=Prodrugs affected by rate-limiting steps=

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 In chemistry, many catalytic reactions have a '''rate-limiting step'''.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rate-determining_step</ref> The catalyst is necessary for the reaction to happen, and if there are no spare catalysts, the process has achieved maximum efficiency, whereby adding more of the chemical to be converted does not speed up proceedings or increase total concentrations of the end result.
-In drug chemistry, this is often an enzyme involved in the metabolism of a drug. Once there are no more free catalysts available, the reaction has reached its maximum speed. This is especially relevant for [[prodrug|prodrugs]], which are inert when ingested, but metabolized into an active form. If the enzymes required to transform the drug into the (more) active form are satiated, the production of active substance can go no faster. This leads to a slower buildup of active substance, and can occasion a '''ceiling effect''' where adding more drugs does not get the user any higher, although it may prolong the experience and exacerbate side effects.
+In drug chemistry, this is often an enzyme involved in the metabolism of a drug. Once there are no more free catalysts available, the reaction has reached its maximum speed. This is especially relevant for [[prodrug|prodrugs]], which are inert when ingested, but metabolized into an active form. If the enzymes required to transform the drug into the (more) active form are satiated, the production of active substance can go no faster. This leads to a slower buildup of active substance, and can occasion a '''ceiling effect''' where adding more drugs does not get the user any higher, although it may prolong the experience and exacerbate side effects.{{citation needed}}
 =Prodrugs affected by rate-limiting steps=