Sex-Related Differences in the Pharmacological Response in SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Dyslipidemia, and Diabetes Mellitus: A Narrative Review
June 2023
in “
Pharmaceuticals
”
Studysummary This review reports that sex-related differences in pharmacological response have been observed in SARS-CoV-2 infection, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus, with implications for treatment strategies; for example, men may respond better to genomic vaccines for SARS-CoV-2, while women may benefit more from certain antiviral medications.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The narrative review discusses sex-related differences in pharmacological responses in SARS-CoV-2 infection, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus. It suggests that men may have more severe SARS-CoV-2 infections and respond better to genomic vaccinations, while women may respond better to antiviral medications like remdesivir. In dyslipidemia, women tend to have higher HDL-C and lower LDL-C levels, and may need lower statin dosages for equal LDL-C reductions. In diabetes, women may have a higher risk of complications like diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy, despite lower rates of cardiovascular disease. They may respond better to oral hypoglycemic medications like metformin. The review concludes that sex-related differences in pharmacological response exist in these conditions, and further research is needed for personalized treatment strategies.
