PHARMACOGENOMICS (PGX)
Innovative and Individualized Drug Therapy Solutions
Precision Healthcare Based on Unique Genetic Factors
Each patient deserves accessible healthcare personalized to maximize outcomes and minimize risks. PGX testing informs healthcare providers about medications and dosages to optimize the patient experience. Invest in precision healthcare from ASAP Diagnostics.
What Is Pharmacogenomics?
PGX uses DNA to test how patients respond to specific drugs. PGX testing aims to prevent side effects or adverse reactions while achieving the best results from prescription medications. PGX allows healthcare providers to tailor treatment for the patient.
How Does PGX Work?
Our genes influence how our bodies react to drugs. When patients have specific gene variants, their bodies process some medications differently. If a gene variant disrupts the expected reaction to a drug, the patient may experience unexpected side effects, or the medicine may not work as planned.
Pharmacogenomic testing identifies genetic variants associated with drug responses. For example, variants may occur in genes that impact drug metabolism due to missing or altered drug-receptor proteins. Pharmacogenomic tests can determine a patient's response or reaction to a drug before, during, or after administration of the medication. PGX testing empowers healthcare professionals and reduces adverse or wasteful outcomes.
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Reduce dependence on the trial and error method for medication effectiveness
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Build efficiency into the pharmaceutical treatment process
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Decrease the cost incurred by patients for ineffective medications
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Minimize dangerous and life-threatening patient side effects or reactions
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Improve patient care with personalized treatment plans
Discover the Right Medicine for Safe and Effective Treatment
Drug Receptors
Certain medications attach to drug receptors on the surface of cells. If a patient's DNA has a variant in a required protein, the medicine may not work or could require a different dosage.
Drug Uptake
DNA impacts whether certain drugs can enter the cell tissue or whether the drug accumulates in an unintended part of the body. DNA impacts the effectiveness and accurate dosage based on how the patient's cells consume and react to the prescribed medicine.
Drug Breakdown
DNA affects the speed with which the body breaks down (metabolizes) certain medications. The patient's genes may break down a drug more quickly or slowly than the typical timeframe. In these cases, changes in dosage positively impact efficacy and reduce side effects.
Medically Necessary for Treatment
PGX testing offers critical data to correct current medication use or administer the accurate dosage.
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The patient takes more than four medications and requires a new medication
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The patient experienced a severe or life-threatening reaction to a medication
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The medicine is not working to relieve or correct the medical condition
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The patient is a candidate for targeted drug therapy
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The FDA recommends the identification of the gene biomarker before beginning drug therapy
Clinical Diagnostics and Treatment
Before prescribing certain medications, PGX testing can help identify the effective treatments and dosage.
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Choose the most effective medications from the start
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Identify drug toxicity to determine the safest medications
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Determine the optimal dosage to minimize side effects and maximize effectiveness
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Understand drug metabolism and potential drug interactions
When to Order Pharmacogenetic Testing
PGX testing may aid patient testing in two critical ways.falls into two categories based on specific criteria. First, certain medical situations benefit from genetic testing when prescribed treatments have unintended side effects or ineffective solutions. Second, precision diagnostics assist in developing effective treatment plans and cutting out the trial and error process.
The PGX Testing Process
Simple and effective testing improves healthcare for doctors and patients with valuable data.
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The healthcare provider collects a DNA sample from the patient's saliva or blood.
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The healthcare provider sends the secure sample to ASAP Diagnostics.
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ASAP Diagnostics processes the sample using innovative technology.
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The healthcare provider receives the result with a detailed report.
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The healthcare provider uses the information for precision treatment.
Improve outcomes and the patient experience with targeted gene testing.
Types of PGX Testing
ASAP Diagnostics offers PGX testing for three clinical areas: Cardiovascular, Pain, and Psychological medications.
Cardiac Panel
Pain Panel
Psych Panel
Why is Pharmacogenetic Testing Essential?
The usual practice for administering medication includes prescribing drugs appropriate for the medical condition in the standard dose based on age, weight, and gender. This hit or miss approach was the only option in the past and often resulted in ineffective treatment, prolonged patient suffering, and severe side effects.
Today, healthcare professionals have the innovative option to connect the proper medications at the correct dosage to produce the best results. Practitioners can reduce risks and improve treatment with precision medicine backed by accurate data.
Does PGX Testing Work for Everyone?
PGX testing aims to identify genetic markers that impact certain medications. Currently, testing only applies for medications with an accepted pharmacogenetic test. For example, Warfarin treatment benefits from PGX testing.
Not every patient tested will have a genetic marker that requires non-standard drug treatment. However, patients benefit from ruling out risks and gain confidence in their treatment even in those cases.
How Does PGX Testing Differ from Other Genetic Testing?
Patient DNA provides information for many different purposes. From identifying disease to determining paternity, people seek genetic testing. However, PGX testing works specifically to recognize how DNA impacts the efficacy and reaction of certain medications. Even if a patient has had another genetic test, that data does not apply for individualized drug treatment. The healthcare provider must order a PGX test for a specific patient, and the results will not provide data for other purposes or individuals.
Does the FDA Require PGX Testing?
No. Currently, the FDA does not require pharmacogenetic testing before prescribing any medication. However, certain drugs do recommend testing for accurate and safe results.
Patients and their doctors benefit from the advanced data offered by PGX testing. Informed diagnostics means better results quicker.
Will a Patient Need Repeat Testing for New Medications?
No. In most cases, your results will remain accurate throughout your lifetime. Your PGX test works to identify how your unique DNA reacts to various medications. If patients need additional medications, their healthcare provider may benefit from reviewing previous PGX tests. Also, as pharmacogenetic testing advances, more medicines may become available for testing.
Does PGX Testing Reduce the Need for Drug Monitoring?
PGX testing reduces serious side effects and sets accurate dosing from the start. However, other factors impact medication usage. Patients will continue to need monitoring from their healthcare provider.
Changes in health, weight, lifestyle, and other factors can impact drug dosage and efficacy. When patients add a new medication, change the dosage, or stop taking a medication, monitoring becomes especially important for the patient's health.
Empowered and Precise Healthcare
ASAP Diagnostics supports healthcare professionals with cutting-edge diagnostic testing. Our lab processes the test quickly, safely, and accurately. As a top laboratory in the Southeast, we have the capacity, equipment, and software integration to provide excellent service with trusted results.
Stay ahead of the curve with state-of-the-art healthcare solutions. PGX testing changes how healthcare is done. Today's healthcare professionals have access to lifesaving data designed to enhance treatment with medication. Identify the targeted drugs, rule out ineffective treatment, and reduce the risk of adverse reactions.