| abstract |
Pro-drug compounds of the formula (I) or (II) are provided that when administered to humans or other mammals provide an increased duration of active compound in the plasma compared to compounds of corresponding structure in which labile groups are not present. <EMI ID=1.1 HE=46 WI=100 LX=613 LY=1101 TI=CF> In the above formulae:<BR> ```n is 0, 1 or 2;<BR> ```P represents hydrogen or methyl;<BR> ```Q represents a labile amine- or amide-forming organic group that becomes removed in the human or animal body, and in a compound of formula (I) is other than acyl;<BR> ```R<SP>1</SP> represents hydrogen or a labile ester-forming group selected from substituted and unsubstituted C<SB>1</SB> - C<SB>6</SB> alkyl, benzyl and phenyl groups that become removed in the human or animal body;<BR> ```R<SP>2</SP> represents methyl; and<BR> ```the groups R<SP>3</SP> (which when n is 2 may be the same or different) represent a C<SB>1</SB> - C<SB>6</SB> alkyl. The compounds may be used to treat a range of neurological conditions, e.g. epilepsy or pain. |