What term is used for the removal of an amino group from a drug?

The removal of an amino group from a drug is referred to as deamination. This process involves the enzymatic or chemical removal of the amino group (-NH2) from an amino acid or a drug molecule, resulting in the formation of an associated byproduct, which is typically a carbonyl compound. Deamination plays a significant role in drug metabolism and can affect the pharmacological properties of the drug, including its activity, solubility, and excretion.

In the context of drug metabolism, recognizing deamination is crucial because it can help in understanding how a substance is processed in the body, influencing its efficacy and safety. This process is distinct from other terms related to chemical modifications of drugs. For example, amide hydrolysis involves the breakdown of amide bonds, deacetylation refers to the removal of an acetyl group, and N-dealkylation is the removal of an alkyl group from a nitrogen atom in a drug molecule. Each of these processes has different implications for the structure and activity of a drug, but deamination specifically targets the amino group, making it the correct term in this scenario.