Stable heavy isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, and other elements have been incorporated into drug molecules, largely as tracers for quantitation during the drug development process. Deuteration has gained attention because of its potential to affect the pharmacokinetic and metabolic profiles of drugs[1].
References:
[1]. Russak EM, et al. Impact of Deuterium Substitution on the Pharmacokinetics of Pharmaceuticals. Ann Pharmacother. 2019;53(2):211-216.
[2]. Lazer ES, et al. Effect of structural modification of enol-carboxamide-type nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on COX-2/COX-1 selectivity. J Med Chem. 1997 Mar 14;40(6):980-9.
[3]. Iturriaga MP, et al. Meloxicam decreases the migration and invasion of CF41.Mg canine mammary carcinoma cells. Oncol Lett. 2017 Aug;14(2):2198-2206.
[4]. Fikry EM, et al. Rutin and meloxicam attenuate paw inflammation in mice: Affecting sorbitol dehydrogenase activity. J Biochem Mol Toxicol. 2018 Feb;32(2).