There are significant gender differences in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of psychotropic medications. Gender differences in pharmacokinetics such as drug absorption, bioavailability, drug distribution, drug metabolism, and elimination have clinical implications in terms of plasma levels, drug half-lives, side effects and toxicity. Women and men also show different pharmacodynamic response to a variety of drugs. Additionally female-specific issues such as pregnancy, menopause, oral contraceptive use and menstruation may also have profound effects on drug metabolism. These and other gender-related issues are considered in this article. Gender differences in drug metabolism have the potential to affect appropriate dosing, effectiveness and toxicity. Further research is needed to determine the scope and significance of these sex differences.ope
