Pharmacogenetic PGx Testing, also referred to as Pharmacogenomic drug-gene testing, can guide your doctor to tailor your medications based on your genes now and for future prescription needs. Genes can influence how you process and respond to medications.
PGx study shows how your genes may affect your body’s response to, and interaction with, some prescription or OTC over-the-counter medications.
Depending on your genetic makeup, some medications may work faster or slower, or produce more or fewer side effects.
According to National Library of Medicine article Pharmacogenetic Testing: A Tool for Personalized Drug Therapy Optimization “Pharmacogenomics is a study of how the genome background is associated with drug resistance and how therapy strategy can be modified for a certain person to achieve benefit.”
PGx 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
The purpose of PGx testing is to find out if a medication is right for you. A small blood or saliva sample can help determine:
- If a medication may be an effective treatment for your medical condition
- What the best dose of a medication is for you
- Whether you could have serious side effects from a medication
Each person would need to have the same specific Pharmacogenetics only once because your genetic makeup does not change over time. You may need other PGx if you take another medication, but laboratories can perform multiple tests from a single blood or saliva sample. Each medication is associated with a different PGx test. Keep track of all your test results and share them with your doctors and pharmacist.
With any inquiries and to schedule your genetic testing, contact us today.
