Pharmacogenomic testing examining genes of a patient to determine if a certain medication may be effective and whether or not side effects could be experienced. The test results are based on a patient’s genetic profile. Testing can be done on several different types of drugs and medications, including:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids.
- Local anesthetics
- Cardiac Panel
- Psych Panel
- Cholinergic agonists used by dentists
- ACE inhibitors and beta blockers
- Diuretics
- Pain Panel
- Custom Panel
How is the Test Done?
A healthcare practitioner may test a patient’s genes for certain variations and results of the testing may be combined with the individual’s clinical information, including age, weight, health and other drugs that they are taking, to help tailor therapy. Sometimes, the healthcare practitioner may use this information to adjust the medication dose or sometimes to choose a different drug.
Pharmacogenetic testing for a specific gene is only performed once since a person’s genetic makeup does not change over time. Depending on the medication, a single or multiple gene may be ordered.
Testing may be ordered prior to starting specific drug therapies.