Use of stable isotopes to determine compliance

The natural variation in the abundance of stable isotopes of light elements (C, H, O, N) in humans is less than 0.5%. Much larger variations can be induced through administration of drugs labeled with enriched isotopes of these elements. Such labels thus can be used as tracers of compliance. Variations of several percent can be generated without adverse physiological effect. An example is presented of the use of deuterium oxide as a tracer, and …