Pharmacogenomics (PGx) Individualized Medication Therapy

Pharmacogenomics, also called “PGx”, is a genetic test used to understand how your unique genetic makeup can affect the way your body reacts to and processes medications. The differences in your genes can influence how well a medicine works for you or if it might cause side effects.

What Is Pharmacogenomics (PGx) Testing?

• When choosing a medication, your provider considers many factors to determine the best medication and dose for you. However, prescription medications are not “one size fits all” and patients may respond differently to the same medication.
• Benefit of medications are affected by so many factors such as age, sex, kidney and liver function, other medications, etc. One of the factors is genetics (DNA). In fact, more than 90% of people have at least one genetic variation that may potentially change their response to medications.
• By knowing your genetic makeup, providers can choose medicines and doses of medications that are more likely to be effective and safe for you.

You May Benefit from Pharmacogenomics Testing If:

• You are taking multiple medications and would want to know how they will interact with each other and your genes.

• You are not happy with your current medication due to side effects or not seeing improvement in your symptoms.
• You have been diagnosed with a new condition and will be prescribed multiple new medications.
• You are not on any medications but are interested in pharmacogenomic testing to be proactive about your health.

How Will the Pharmacogenomics Information Be Used to Improve My Health?

• One unique feature of pharmacogenomics testing is that results are not only related to your current medications, but the same results can also be used in the future when you are receiving new prescription medications.
• With a pharmacogenomics approach, you work with your health care providers to select the right medication at the right dose, reduce the “trial and error” period, potentially reduce risks for side effects and increase the effectiveness of treatment.

TriHealth Pharmacogenomic Services provides pharmacogenomic testing and education to individuals.

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) Clinic:

There are two types of clinic visits at TriHealth:

During a pre-test visit:

• The pharmacist will review your current and previous medications to determine if genetic testing will be helpful.
• The pharmacist provides education about PGx testing, benefits, and limitations.
• PGx testing will be ordered if recommended.
• Your DNA sample will be collected via swabbing the inside of your cheeks and sent to the lab for PGx testing

During the post-test visit:

• Once results are available, the pharmacist will call you to review results with you.
• The pharmacist will also write a summary about your PGx results, including recommendations based on your results.
• Your results summary will be provided to you and can be sent to your providers at your request.
• If you previously have had pharmacogenomics testing done and would like our pharmacogenomics pharmacist to review your results, please contact our office at 513-865-5916 to schedule a post-test visit with the PGx pharmacist.

Who is a Pharmacogenomics (PGx) Pharmacist?

A PGx pharmacist is a pharmacist who has completed extra training in the interactions between medications and an individual person’s genes.

• The PGx pharmacist reviews your current medications to determine if PGx testing may be helpful.
• Once results are available, PGx pharmacist will review the genetic test results and combines the results with pertinent information gathered from you regarding your medical and medication history.
• With the information obtained from the genetic test results, patients who are at an increased risk of side effects and/or at risk for poor or no response to medications are identified.
• After obtaining and reviewing the information needed, the pharmacist will discuss results with you and your care provider to optimize medication therapy.

What Medications are Affected by DNA?

This is a list of some of the common medications where PGx testing may be helpful:

**Note that this is not a comprehensive list of all medications that can be affected by your genes (DNA).