Pharmacogenomic Testing
Pharmacogenomics is the study of how genes can affect the way different people respond
to different medicines. Depending on your genes, certain drugs can be more safe and
effective for you. Pharmacogenomic tests can be done with a blood sample, but can also
be done with a simple saliva sample making it easy to test from home. The sample will be
sent to a pharmacogenetic testing lab and your DNA will be sequenced and analyzed for
variations or changes in genes that show how you respond to medicines. Genetic testing is
available for a wide variety of medications, including ones that treat anxiety, depression,
PTDS, OCD, and bipolar disorder. While pharmacogenetic tests can tell you how medicines
may metabolize in your body, there are certain limitations. One test can not tell you how
multiple medications will metabolize, so you may have to take multiple to get the most
accurate answer. Since the field is still new, it’s important to note that tests may not be
100% accurate (but still worth the try!).
How Do the Tests Work?
Pharmacogenomic testing includes methods such as testing a single gene for a specific
genetic variant, gene panel testing and searching for small genomic variations. Single
nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) searching is one common method, for genomic variation
occurs more often in carriers of the trait. Testing will predict a person's individual drug
response along with a risk estimate. The sequence of that person's genome will help tailor
a dosage for a specific medication, especially medications for heart disease, pain, and
psychiatric conditions.
By Duponte Group
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