To provide a carbonate prodrug and a method of using it.

The present invention provides a carbonate prodrug comprising a carbonic phosphoric anhydride prodrug moiety attached to a hydroxyl or carboxyl group of a parent drug moiety. The prodrug may have improved physicochemical properties when compared with the parent drug. The present invention also provides a method of treating a disease or a condition that is responsive to the parent drug using the carbonate prodrug, as well as a kit and a unit dosage. One embodiment provides a prodrug comprising (a) a moiety of the parent drug comprising a hydroxyl group or a carboxyl group, or both, and (b) a prodrug moiety of the formula -C(O)O-P(O)(OH)₂ that is bound to the parent drug moiety in the hydroxyl group and/or the carboxyl group providing a carbonate moiety, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or solvate thereof.