Antimetabolite

A drug that mimics the structure of natural metabolites (purines, pyrimidines, folic acid) and interferes with nucleic acid synthesis or metabolic pathways. In immunopharmacology, antimetabolites suppress rapidly dividing immune cells. They are used as immunosuppressants in transplantation and autoimmune diseases, and as cytotoxic agents in cancer chemotherapy.

उदाहरण

• Methotrexate — dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor (RA, psoriasis, cancer)
• Mycophenolate mofetil — IMPDH inhibitor depleting guanosine in lymphocytes
• Azathioprine — purine analog prodrug converted to 6-mercaptopurine