Abstract
Erythromycin A is normally formulated for children as its 2′-ethyl succinate, a taste-free prodrug. Unfortunately, the prodrug hydrolyzes at a measurable rate in the medicine bottle, leading to the vile-tasting erythromycin. We have prepared derivatives of erythromycin B as putative paediatric prodrugs, taking advantage of the much improved acid stability of erythromycin B relative to erythromycin A. Thus, erythromycin B enol ether ethyl succinate is very poorly soluble in water, and its hydrolysis is undetectable in conditions resembling the medicine bottle. In acid, however, it converts rapidly to erythromycin B 2′-ethyl succinate, and this is in turn hydrolyzed to erythromycin B in neutral and basic conditions. Derivatives of erythromycin B enol ether are therefore proposed as taste-free proprodrugs of erythromycin B. © 2005 American Chemical Society.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 3878-3884 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Medicinal Chemistry |
Volume | 48 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2 Jun 2005 |