Antidepressants are an unusual class of drugs that often take multiple tries to ensure a patient receives the right medication, at the right dosage, and with few if any, side effects.
Pharmacogenomics helps eliminate “trial and error” when treating depression
When it comes to depression, as a provider, you don’t have a lot of time to experiment. You want to help your patient as quickly as possible get the relief they need to start living a normal life again. But depression medications are tricky. Sometimes it takes three or four medications for weeks at a time to find one that works for that patient. In the meantime, the depression is still there, and sometimes worse due to the side effects of the drugs you are trying.
Wouldn’t it be much easier to know for sure that a medication “fits” that patients genetic profile? This does multiple things.
- It eliminates the “trial and error” process. The old way to prescribe meds – let’s try this drug for 3-4 weeks and if it doesn’t work, come back and we’ll try something else.
- Let’s the provider know if there is a chance for drug-on-drug interactions potentially saving a trip to the hospital or worse, harmful side effects.
- By knowing what medication works for each unique individual, it helps the patient get better, quickly, which is the end goal.
Getting patients off a non-successful drug and then trying another one just lengthens the amount of time a patient has difficulty coping and returning to normal day-to-day activities.
Pharmacogenomics is changing that. This simple swab of the cheek can help guide healthcare professionals in proper prescribing. This test gives us hope not only for current medications but also gives providers a roadmap for future medications.
For more information on pharmacogenetic testing, or to schedule an educational webinar or speaker for your next meeting or conference, contact PGx Medical, 405-509-5112 or email info@pgxmed.com.