Sex related-differences in blood concentration of psychotropic drugs

Abstract

In clinical practice of psychiatry, it has been suggested that blood concentrations of psychotropic drugs are different between women and men. Women secrete less gastric acid and have a slower rate of gastric emptying rate than men, which could potentially lead to increased absorptivity. Women have a larger volume of distribution than men, which could potentially lead to prolonged excretion. Women have a smaller liver and a lower liver blood flow than men. Additionally, most cytochrome p450 enzymes have a sex-dependent difference in activity. Women have a lower activity of many uridine diphosphate glucoronyl enzymes. Despite the many pharmacokinetic sex differences indicated, there are few investigations on sex differences in blood concentrations of psychotropic drugs. More reserch is needed to guide drug treatment for women with appropriate doses.