Abstract: The invention pertains to a pharmaceutical composition for topical administration, comprising a prodrug for an agonist and/or an antagonist for an adrenergic receptor, wherein the prodrug has an octanol/water partition coefficient of at least 0, for use in a method of shaping a mammalian body by modulation of subcutaneous fat tissue. The invention further pertains to cosmetic and therapeutic application of such prodrugs, such as their use in methods of shaping a mammalian body by locally modulating subcutaneous fat tissue. The invention also pertains to the prodrugs themselves, as well as to methods of making these prodrugs.