How to Schedule?
Talk to your provider at your next visit or call our office at (513) 865-5916 to schedule a visit with the PGx pharmacist.
- Minors (patients <18 years old): A referral from the treating provider is
- Adults (18 years and older): A referral from your treating provider is not required but is encouraged.
TriHealth providers use code (REF4217) to refer their patients to the PGx clinic.
How Can I Prepare for The Pharmacogenomics Testing?
To prepare for an appointment, write down the name of medications that you have tried in the past for your primary condition and your experiences with said medications.
You can still meet with the PGx pharmacist or your PCP for testing if you cannot recall all the medications that you have tried.
Examples of medication history include but not limited to:
- Side effects from citalopram
- Muscle pain from simvastatin
- No benefit from sertraline
If you are not on a medication currently, and are testing to be proactive, there is no specific preparation for it.
How Do I Take the Test?
- The test must be ordered by your physician or by the PGx pharmacist.
- The comprehensive test kit is a simple cheek swab that can be collected at the office visit or at home.
- If collecting your sample at home, it is important to follow the steps provided in the test kit before mailing your sample back to the laboratory.
What Is the Cost of Pharmacogenomics Testing?
- The costs for PGx testing vary depending on the test used and the type of insurance you have.
- Some insurance companies may cover pharmacogenomic testing, depending on your policy and reasons for testing.
- In general, for the comprehensive testing, the cost is less than $350.
For more information about the cost, we advise you to call your insurance.
What Are the Benefits of Pharmacogenomics Testing?
- Your PGx results can be used by your health care providers to make your medical therapy more personalized.
- Based on your PGx results you may receive a different dosage of a certain drug, or your provider may change your medication because you are at higher risk for adverse drug reactions.
What Are the Limitations of Testing?
- This is a newer area of practice, and we are learning more and more about it every day.
- The testing and results do not apply to all medications, explain all side effects, or why your medications are not working as expected.
- You may be on a medication that you are unhappy with but PGx testing is not going to be useful for it due to the limited information about it.
- PGx only focuses on medications associated with DNA variations and well-known risk and side effects caused by genetic variation.