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Sex differences in HIV: Natural history, pharmacokinetics, and drug toxicity

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Abstract

In the early years of the HIV epidemic, the burden of the disease was principally among men. In recent years, HIV infection among women has become a growing problem worldwide. There is now an increasing awareness that HIV may affect men and women differently. New data have emerged from studies that have focused on HIV-infected women, suggesting the existence of sex-related differences in natural history, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of antiretroviral therapy. This paper reviews the current literature with an emphasis on recent data regarding sex differences in HIV that have implications for clinical practice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for AIDS Research and Education, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, BH-412 CHS, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, 90095, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Judith S. Currier MD

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  1. Obiamiwe C. Umeh MD
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  2. Judith S. Currier MD
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Umeh, O.C., Currier, J.S. Sex differences in HIV: Natural history, pharmacokinetics, and drug toxicity. Curr Infect Dis Rep 7, 73–78 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-005-0026-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-005-0026-9

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