Stable isotopes in compounds of therapeutic interest

A recent novel use of stable isotopes in an area of interest to the medicinal chemist has been to increase the therapeutic index of an antibacterial agent. 

3-Fluoro-D-[2- H] alanine (20) shows the same antibacterial activity as the protio form of the fluoroamino acid. However, since the metabolism in vivo is several fold less substitution of the deuterium produces enhanced pharmacological activity [167], 

This is an area that is really in its infancy, but it may well produce significant advances in the future. 

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