351. Women significantly more likely to have adverse drug reactions
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Women experience between 50 and 75 percent more adverse drug reactions than men do. In a new study published in the journal Nature Communications, researchers looked for the specific reasons that women are more likely to suffer the negative side effects of many medications. They found a number of different factors, more than just the differences in body weight between men and women. Some of the factors that made women more susceptible included body temperature, iron levels, lean body mass, fat levels, and heart rate variability. Rather than just adjusting the doses of medications by body weight, the researchers argue that each drug should be studied individually in women to determine the potential side effects and whether they can be taken safely.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
