Drug Interactions

• If you are taking over-the-counter medications with prescription drugs you may increase your probability of a drug reaction or adverse effect. The same is true with any dietary supplements such as vitamins or herbal remedies. Women are more likely than men to mix medications, vitamins and supplements. The more medications and supplements you consume, the more the risk increases. Tell your doctor what you take and try to limit things as much as possible when on prescribed medications.
  
  

Size and Weight

• Women tend to be smaller and weigh less than men. Additionally, women have a naturally higher body fat content than men. Drugs that are stored and are concentrated in fat cells will remain in the body for longer periods of time. Since prescriptions are often based on size and weight and not body fat content, a man with the same height and weight as a woman may be less likely to experience reactions to drugs. The most widely used drug that this is observed in is alcohol.
  
  

Metabolism

• Men generally have a faster metabolism than women. Of course, in both sexes, younger individuals have a faster metabolism than older ones. What this means regarding drug reactions is that the faster a person metabolizes items ingested into the body, the faster the drug will be absorbed and used, and waste released from the body. So women will have drugs remaining in their systems longer, which can lead to higher probabilities of reaction.
  
  

Hormones

• Differences in hormones can greatly affect how the body reacts to drugs. Certain enzymes are higher in women than in men, which can lead to metabolic changes from drug ingestion. Pregnancy, menopause and menstruation also play a role in body imbalances that may cause different reactions to drugs at different times of a woman's life--even within the space of a month. Taking birth control pills can also affect how your body will react to other drugs.
  Of course many drugs are on the blacklist for women who are pregnant because of the possible dangers to the fetus. Always consult your doctor about what are suitable medications when expecting.
  
  

Further Research

• While there are many indications that already demonstrate that women are at a higher risk of drug reaction, much research still needs to be conducted. As more is learned, women can be given better drug prescription levels, or other alternatives can be developed that work specifically with a woman's biology.