Pharmacokinetic considerations for drugs that treat diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: what's new?

The most effective way to treat IBS-D is to focus on managing the most common and troublesome symptoms. However, healthcare providers face a challenge when it comes to identifying the right treatment for each patient, and the root cause of this is the diversity of the IBS-D population. Studies have shown that there are differences in how men and women metabolize drugs, which may lead to gender-specific adverse reactions. Women tend to have higher drug concentrations in their bloodstream and take longer to eliminate them. Therefore, healthcare providers may need to reduce the dosage for female patients to address this gender-specific issue. Integrating IBS care into sustainable development efforts can indirectly contribute to achieving SDGs and promote health and well-being for all.