What term describes the removal of an acetyl group from a drug?

The term that describes the removal of an acetyl group from a drug is deacetylation. In pharmacology and biochemistry, deacetylation refers specifically to the process where an acetyl group (a functional group derived from acetic acid) is cleaved from a molecule. This process is crucial because it can significantly affect the drug's activity, metabolism, and elimination from the body.

Deacetylation can occur through various enzymatic pathways and may lead to the formation of more active or inactive metabolites depending on the specific drug and its metabolic context. This concept is essential in understanding how drugs are transformed and modified within the body, influencing their safety and efficacy.

The other terms provided refer to different biochemical processes. Amide hydrolysis involves the breakdown of an amide bond, aromatic hydroxylation involves the introduction of a hydroxyl group into an aromatic ring, and N-dealkylation is the process of removing an alkyl group from a nitrogen atom in a compound. Each of these processes pertains to different chemical modifications and does not specifically relate to the removal of an acetyl group.