Get fast and accurate results with PGx testing from Chabado Genomics.
The purpose of pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing is to determine how well you will likely respond to a specific drug therapy (medication) based on your individual genetic makeup. It’s an important type of testing because your body has thousands of genes you inherited from your parents that can play a role in how parts of those genes behave.
- PGx testing typically evaluates well-established pharmacogenomic genes
- This testing looks at how processes such as absorption and metabolism may affect how certain medications work within your body
How Pharmacogenomics (PGx) Testing is Done
PGx testing typically involves taking either a small blood sample or a saliva sample. The sample may be taken at the lab or your doctor may collect the sample at their facility or practice and send it to our lab for analysis. Specifically, the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) in your sample will be extracted and examined with a process known as DNA sequencing.
Tests can be ordered individually or as a panel (testing on a group of common genes). Possible genetic changes, irregularities, or variants in one or more of your genes that may affect how medications work within your system will be identified. Each medication you are either taking currently or may be taking in the future is associated with a different PGx test.
What PGx Testing Does for Doctors
The need for pharmacogenomics testing is determined on an individual basis. If, for instance, you have a condition such as diabetes that tends to run in families, the results may help your doctor determine if a certain medication will benefit you and other individuals in your family who may also be receiving treatment for the same condition. Additional factors often considered when interpreting the results of PGx testing include:
- Age and weight
- Overall health and well-being
- Lifestyle (e.g., diet, amount of time spent exercising)
- Responses to previous drug treatments
Your family health history may play in role in interpreting the results. Results of tests for different medications can be kept on file to help make medication decisions in the future. PGx testing may also help your doctor:
- Determine if a specific medication may benefit you
- Recommend a dosage that’s appropriate for your genetic makeup
- Identify potential side effects that you may experience with certain medications
Possible Benefits for Patients
While PGx testing doesn’t guarantee that you will respond well to any medication, it may help give your doctor an idea of how your body may react to certain prescription drugs or combinations of over-the-counter and prescription drugs. This information can be used by your doctor to make an appropriate treatment suggestion and medication selection.
If you are in need of pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing, Chabado Genomics will provide the results your doctor needs to make informed decisions about medications you may be currently taking or treatments that may benefit you. PGx testing increases the odds that you will be given the right medication based on your unique genetic characteristics. Testing of this nature isn’t available for all medications, so your doctor will determine if it’s necessary and appropriate for you.