Small Molecule Drug

A Small Molecule Drug is a pharmaceutical compound that has low molecular weight enabling cell membrane permeation and oral bioavailability.

• AKA: Small Molecule Pharmaceutical, Low Molecular Weight Drug, Small Molecule Therapeutic.
• Context:
  • It can typically have Molecular Weight below 900 daltons.
  • It can typically cross Cell Membranes through passive diffusion.
  • It can typically bind Intracellular Targets via molecular interaction.
  • It can typically demonstrate Oral Bioavailability for systemic delivery.
  • It can typically follow Lipinski's Rule of Five for drug-like property.
  • ...
  • It can often target Enzyme Active Sites with specific binding.
  • It can often modulate Receptor Function through ligand interaction.
  • It can often exhibit Predictable Pharmacokinetics following adme principles.
  • It can often undergo Chemical Modification for property optimization.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Very Small Molecule Drug to being a Large Small Molecule Drug, depending on its molecular size range.
  • It can range from being a Highly Selective Small Molecule Drug to being a Promiscuous Small Molecule Drug, depending on its target specificity profile.
  • It can range from being a Natural Product Small Molecule Drug to being a Fully Synthetic Small Molecule Drug, depending on its molecular origin source.
  • ...
  • It can be discovered through High-Throughput Screening of compound librarys.
  • It can be optimized via Medicinal Chemistry for improved property.
  • It can be manufactured through Chemical Synthesis at industrial scale.
  • It can be formulated into Various Dosage Forms for patient administration.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Small Molecule Drug Classes, such as:
    • Statin Molecules for cholesterol lowering.
    • Beta Blockers for cardiovascular treatment.
    • Proton Pump Inhibitors for acid suppression.
    • Kinase Inhibitors for cancer therapy.
  • Small Molecule Drug Target Types, such as:
    • Enzyme-Targeting Small Molecules like protease inhibitors.
    • Receptor-Targeting Small Molecules like gpcr ligands.
    • Ion Channel-Targeting Small Molecules like calcium channel blockers.
    • Transporter-Targeting Small Molecules like ssri antidepressants.
  • Small Molecule Drug Origins, such as:
    • Natural Product-Derived Small Molecules like aspirin.
    • Semi-Synthetic Small Molecules like simvastatin.
    • Fully Synthetic Small Molecules like atorvastatin.
  • Small Molecule Drug Size Ranges, such as:
    • Ultra-Small Drug Molecules under 200 daltons.
    • Typical Small Drug Molecules between 200-500 daltons.
    • Large Small Drug Molecules between 500-900 daltons.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Biologic Drug, which consists of large protein molecules rather than small molecules.
  • Antibody Drug, which uses immunoglobulins rather than small molecule compounds.
  • Gene Therapy, which delivers genetic material rather than small molecules.
  • Cell Therapy, which uses living cells rather than chemical compounds.
• See: Pharmaceutical Compound, Drug Molecule, Statin Molecule, Oral Drug, Synthetic Drug.

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