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]. Odaka H, et al. Cabergoline, dopamine D2 receptor agonist, prevents neuronal cell death under oxidative stress via reducing excitotoxicity. PLoS One. 2014 Jun 10;9(6):e99271.
[3]. Jefferson F, et al. A dopamine receptor d2-type agonist attenuates the ability of stress to alter sleep in mice. Endocrinology. 2014 Nov;155(11):4411-21.