Gene Testing for Antidepressants & Psychotropics: Not There Yet

An increasingly common question I get asked is, “Will gene testing help my doctor know which antidepressant to prescribe?” Popular tests such as GeneSight suggests that they can “shorten your road to recovery” and how you, as an individual, will respond to specific antidepressant medications. Does drug-gene testing, also referred to as pharmacogenomics or pharmacogenetics, work? And if so, does it only work for certain types of medications? Let’s find out. The Promise of Gene Testing The idea of gene-drug testing is pretty simple. By testing your DNA, companies hope to be able to predict your response (or likely non-response) to specific types of antidepressants. It’s also being marketed for a number of other diseases and medications. Just a year ago, GeneSight had some pretty strong marketing language on its site. The company was strongly suggesting its test could help your doctor choose the best antidepressant for you: Fortunately, the GeneSight genetic test can provide doctors answers that quickly lead to relief. Pharmacogenomic testing helps empower your doctor with the exact information needed to prescribe you the best medication for you. By examining how your DNA responds to specific medications such as antidepressants, this simple, painless test lets doctors know which medications may not work for you, so you can get back to feeling like yourself again. […] Through pharmacogenomic testing, your doctor can identify the correct ...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Depression Disorders General Medications Treatment drug-gene testing gene-drug gene-drug test pharmacogenetics pharmacogenomics Source Type: blogs