The invention relates to compositions and methods for a one-step synthetic technique for making cationic steroid or cationic drug molecules for use as delivery vehicles. The invention further relates to methods for using cationic steroid molecules in lipofection or transfection, delivery of drugs, and for treatment of inflammation and other diseases and disorders. The invention also relates to cationic steroid prodrugs and cationic prodrugs and to methods of modifying drugs.