title: Gender differences in depression and antidepressant pharmacokinetics and adverse events.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review data generated by studies examining gender differences in the prevalence of depression, as well as in antidepressant pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and adverse events.
  
  
  METHODS
  Published articles and abstracts were identified through MEDLINE (January 1966-April 1999) using the following search terms: antidepressant, response, gender, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, female, side effect, and adverse events. All articles that assessed gender differences in antidepressant response, pharmacokinetics, and adverse events, as well as articles that evaluated postulated mechanisms for these differences, were reviewed. Additional articles were identified from bibliographies of retrieved articles.
  
  
  METHODS
  All relevant abstracts, studies, and review articles were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gender differences in the prevalence of depression have been reported and may result from the interaction of several factors. Women have been shown to have a higher incidence of depression, which may be due to artifact, social, or biologic reasons. Studies suggest that the pharmacokinetic disposition of popular antidepressants varies between men and women, and women taking antidepressants may exhibit a different adverse event profile. Only one study specifically evaluated gender differences in antidepressant treatment response.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research elucidating gender differences in response to antidepressant treatment and on depression prevalence is needed. Some studies report that the pharmacokinetics of antidepressants may vary between men and women. Therefore, clinicians should be aware that potential differences in antidepressant pharmacokinetics may exist, and a dosage adjustment may be necessary for women to ensure a favorable drug response, compliance, and decreased incidence of adverse events.
authors.affiliation: California Clinical Trials, Beverly Hills 90211, USA.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Frackiewicz
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sramek
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Cutler
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents