Is it worth doing a pharmacogenetics test?

As we explained earlier, pharmacogenetics is the study of how an individual's genetic make-up affects their response to drugs. The results of a pharmacogenetics test can provide important information about how a person may react to certain medications and can help healthcare providers make informed decisions about treatment.  

Recently, we at BioCertica introduced a pharmacogenetics test as a new brand product. However, since it is a new product, it is natural to face doubts and questions about its quality, or if it is worth buying it. Whether or not someone thinks it is worth doing, a pharmacogenetics test is a personal decision that depends on individual circumstances. Therefore, we need to carefully consider all benefits and limitations that these tests may have. Here we will discuss some of them. 

Benefits

Adverse reaction prevention

One of the key benefits of a pharmacogenetics test is that it can help prevent adverse reactions to medications. By identifying genetic variations that may affect the way a person metabolizes drugs, healthcare providers can choose medications that are less likely to cause harmful side effects, or that can be dosed more appropriately for the individual. This can improve the effectiveness of treatment and reduce the risk of harm to the patient. In conclusion, this may improve adherence to medications as people are more likely to keep taking their medication if they do not cause side effects.

Medication choice

Another advantage of pharmacogenetics testing is that it can help guide the choice of medications for certain conditions. For example, certain genetic variations have been linked to an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, and the results of a pharmacogenetics test can help determine which medications may be most effective for preventing or treating those cancers.

Improved health outcomes

By identifying genetic variations that may affect the way a person metabolizes drugs, pharmacogenetics tests can help healthcare providers choose medications that are less likely to cause harmful side effects, or that can be dosed more appropriately for the individual. This can improve health outcomes and lead to better overall health.

Efficient use of resources

By making more informed decisions about treatment, pharmacogenetics tests can help reduce healthcare costs by reducing the need for unnecessary or ineffective treatments.

Avoidance of trial-and-error approach

Traditional drug prescription often involves trying multiple medications until finding one that works, which can be time-consuming and lead to unpleasant side effects. A pharmacogenetics test can help avoid this trial-and-error approach. It does so by providing information about a person's genetic makeup and how they will likely respond to different medications.

Limitations and concerns

Health concerns: 

Information from a pharmacogenetic test can help your healthcare provider make more informed decisions about your treatment. However,  it is important to understand that pharmacogenetics tests are not a perfect predictor of how a person will respond to a medication. There are limitations to the information that these tests can provide, and not all genetic variations are known. However, at BioCertica, we do our best to update our reports as new pharmacogenetic studies become available. 

Clinical utility

While pharmacogenetics tests can provide important information about a person's response to drugs, it is important to understand that the results of these tests are not the only factor that determines a person's response to medication. Other factors such as age, weight, kidney function, and liver function can also play a role.

Need for Interpretation

The results of a pharmacogenetics test are not always straightforward to average users, and may require interpretation. This interpretation can be complicated by the fact that not all genetic variations are known. Also, the results of the test may not be the only factor that affects a person's response to medication. We strongly recommend our customers book a session with practitioners to unlock the maximum potential of their pharmacogenetics reports.

In conclusion, while a pharmacogenetics test can provide valuable information about a person's response to drugs, it is important to weigh the benefits and limitations of these tests and to consider your personal circumstances before making a decision. If you feel that the benefits of a pharamacogenetics test outweigh the limitations then order your pharmacogenetics report now.

References

Pharmacogenetics – Challenges and Opportunities Ahead - PMC (nih.gov)

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) | Benefits, research solutions, & technologies (illumina.com)

Interested in trying the BioCertica Pharmacogenetics DNA kit? Click here and add Pharmacogenetics to your cart for only R3099.

If you own any other BioCertica DNA kit, you can instantly unlock your Pharmacogenetics results for only R1999* in-app.

*Terms and conditions apply.

Written by: Nermin Đuzić, M.Sc. in Genetics, Content Specialist