Understanding PGx Testing: The Future of Personalized Medicine
How many times have you or a loved one started a new medication, only to find it didn't work? Or worse, it caused unpleasant side effects? We often accept this "trial-and-error" process as a normal part of healthcare. But what if there was a better way?
What if a simple DNA test could help your doctor predict which medications and dosages are most likely to work best for you? This is the power of pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing. A PGx report gives you and your healthcare provider actionable guidance based on your unique genetic makeup. It's a critical step away from one-size-fits-all medicine and toward truly personalized care.
Case Study
TW, a female in her 50s, went into the hospital for major abdominal surgery. Before her surgery, she had taken the PGx test and found that her body would have a bad reaction to a common pain medication. She asked for that to be noted in her medical records.
However, when she was in the recovery room, coming out of anesthesia, she heard the doctor ordering that exact pain medication! After some discussion, he agreed to substitute another equally effective drug. TW made a rapid and full recovery.
Had she not known the first medication would be harmful to her, she could have had a serious reaction to it, setting her recovery back several weeks – or worse.
What Does PGx Test For?
Currently, the PGx test analyzes 165 drugs and how they interact with your unique genetic blueprint — including 22 of the 50 most prescribed outpatient drugs in the U.S.
- #1: Atorvastatin (statin)
- #2: Metformin (antidiabetic)
- #6: Metoprolol (beta-blocker)
- #10: Omeprazole (proton pump inhibitor)
- #11: Sertraline (SSRI antidepressant)
What Are The Benefits of PGx Testing?
1. Minimizes the Risk of Adverse Drug Reactions
The reality is that the "one-size-fits-all" approach to prescribing medication often misses a crucial factor: your genes. Your genes contain instructions for proteins that metabolize and transport drugs throughout your body. If you have a specific genetic variant, your body might break down a drug too slowly, causing it to build up and become toxic, or too quickly, making it ineffective. This is where Pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing steps in, transforming how we approach medication and ushering in the era of personalized medicine. A simple PGx test analyzes your DNA to determine how your unique genetic makeup affects your body's response to over 150 different drugs. The result? A clear roadmap for you and your doctor to find the most effective and safest treatment plan.
2. Maximizes Effectiveness and Ends the "Trial-and-Error" Cycle
For conditions like depression, patients often must try multiple medications over months or even years before finding one that works—a frustrating and time-consuming process known as "trial-and-error." PGx testing provides immediate clarity. PGx results allow your healthcare team to select the right drug and dose the first time, speeding up the time it takes to feel better and helping you achieve symptom remission faster.
3. Provides a Lifetime Tool for Your Health
Unlike other medical tests that only apply to a current condition, the results of your PGx test are valid for your entire life. Your genes don't change, so your results can be used to inform all of your future medication decisions. Whether you're starting a new prescription for a common condition or need an emergency medication in the future, your PGx report provides an essential reference to:
Decrease Healthcare Costs: PGx testing may reduce hospital length of stays, readmissions, and ER visits, saving you and the healthcare system money.
Improve Adherence: Understanding why a medication is specifically tailored to your body can increase your confidence and willingness to stick to your treatment plan.
Simplify Complex Regimens: If you are taking multiple drugs (e.g., a Metoprolol beta-blocker, an Omeprazole PPI, and an antidepressant), PGx helps your doctor identify potential gene-drug and drug-drug interactions, leading to an optimized regimen. By giving you the knowledge of your genetic blueprint, PGx testing takes the guesswork out of medication.