Urea
Urea is an endogenous metabolic waste product of protein catabolism that, in pharmaceutical concentrations, acts as a keratolytic and humectant when applied topically, disrupting hydrogen bonds in keratin to soften and hydrate hyperkeratotic skin. At higher concentrations, it is used to treat nail disorders and as a topical agent for ichthyosis, psoriasis, and xerosis. It also has pharmaceutical applications as an osmotic agent and as a diagnostic marker in breath tests for Helicobacter pylori.
Molecular Weight
60.0560 g/mol
LogP
-1.40
TPSA
69.10 Ų
Lipinski RO5
Pass
Therapeutic Areas
Mechanism of Action
Functions as a diagnostic agent by providing contrast enhancement or radioactive tracer activity that enables visualization of anatomical structures or physiological processes during medical imaging.
Pharmacokinetics (PK)
Pharmacodynamics (PD)
Functions as a diagnostic agent by providing contrast enhancement or radioactive tracer activity that enables visualization of anatomical structures or physiological processes during medical imaging.
2D Structure
Cite this structure
Embed this structure
SMILES
NC(N)=O
InChI
InChI=1S/CH4N2O/c2-1(3)4/h(H4,2,3,4)
Molecular Formula
CH4N2O
HBD / HBA
2 / 1
Rotatable Bonds
0
Heavy Atoms
4
No targets recorded
Target interaction data is not yet available for this drug.
No interactions recorded
Drug interaction data is not yet available for this compound.
No side effects recorded
Side effect data is not yet available for this drug.
Frequently Asked Questions
Urea is an endogenous metabolic waste product of protein catabolism that, in pharmaceutical concentrations, acts as a keratolytic and humectant when applied topically, disrupting hydrogen bonds in keratin to soften and hydrate hyperkeratotic skin. At higher concentrations, it is used to treat nail disorders and as a topical agent for ichthyosis, psoriasis, and xerosis. It also has pharmaceutical applications as an osmotic agent and as a diagnostic marker in breath tests for Helicobacter pylori.
Functions as a diagnostic agent by providing contrast enhancement or radioactive tracer activity that enables visualization of anatomical structures or physiological processes during medical imaging.
Yes, Urea is an approved drug. It has reached clinical phase 4. It is classified as a Small molecule.
References & Data Sources
- ChEMBL — European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI). CHEMBL985. Open-access bioactivity database.
- PubChem — National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). CID 1176. Chemical information database.
Data aggregated from publicly available pharmacological databases. Last updated 2026-03-28.
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