A drug that is similar enough to a natural chemical to participate in a normal biochemical reaction in cells but different enough to interfere with the normal division and functions of cells. So named because the drug inhibits a normal metabolic process. Examples of antimetabolites include 6-mercaptopurine (6MP), methotrexate, and hydroxyurea.

A drug that is very similar to natural chemicals in a normal biochemical reaction in cells but different enough to interfere with the normal division and functions of cells.

Substance, structurally similar to a metabolite, which competes with it or replaces it, and so prevents or reduces its normal utilization.

n. a substance that has a molecular structure that is so similar to that of another natural substance required for physiological functioning that it may be accepted by the body as the required molecul [..]

(n) an antineoplastic drug that inhibits the utilization of a metabolite

Definition: (an-tee-meh-TAB-oh-lite) A drug that is very similar to natural metabolite in a normal biochemical reaction (metabolism) in cells but different enough to inhibit its utilization, thus it b [..]

Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry Antimetabolite: A drug that interferes with normal cellular metabolic activities such as mitosis and DNA biosynthesis. Sulfa drugs such as sulfanilamide exert [..]

A drug that is very similar to natural chemicals in a normal biochemical reaction in cells but different enough to interfere with the normal division and functions of cells.

a drug used to treat cancer

A substance that prevents utilization of a metabolite.

<pharmacology> A group of anti-cancer drugs which prevent cells growing and dividing by blocking the chemical reactions required in the dividing by blocking the chemical reactions required in the cell to produce DNA. Drugs of this type include 6 mercaptopurine, azathioprine, thioguanine, methotrexate. See: chemotherapy. (13 Oct 1997)