What is pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing?
Pharmacogenomics is the study of how your genes affect your response to medications. A PGx test reads a small set of genes from a cheek swab and gives your prescriber information to help choose drugs and doses.
Why the same pill works differently for different people
Most medications are processed by enzymes in your liver. The genes that build those enzymes come in different versions. Some versions work faster, some slower, and some barely at all.
That's why one person does well on a standard dose while another gets side effects or no relief. PGx testing finds those differences before a prescription is written, instead of after weeks of trial and error.
Too much drug
Slow processing can let a drug build up and cause side effects.
Too little effect
Fast processing can clear a drug before it has time to work.
Prodrugs that never switch on
Some drugs need an enzyme to become active. Without it, they don't work.
The right fit
With PGx results, the prescriber can pick a drug and dose that fits.
Where do you fall on the spectrum?
Each gene result places you in a category. Tap one to see what it means, using the CYP2C19 gene as an example.
Simplified for education. Prescribing decisions use the full report and the patient's clinical picture.
The genes behind most drug-gene interactions
Most drug-gene interactions run through the CYP450 enzymes in the liver. Genes like CYP2D6 have more than 100 known variant alleles.
Antidepressants, antipsychotics, codeine, tramadol, metoprolol, tamoxifen
Clopidogrel, SSRIs like citalopram and sertraline, proton pump inhibitors
Warfarin, NSAIDs like celecoxib and meloxicam, phenytoin
Warfarin sensitivity, used with CYP2C9 to guide dosing
Statins, especially simvastatin, and the risk of muscle pain
Efavirenz and some other medications
Thiopurines used in autoimmune disease and some cancers
Is PGx testing right for you?
Ask your provider or pharmacist if any of these sound familiar.
Side effects
Medications have caused nausea, fatigue, headaches, dizziness or other unwanted reactions.
Starting something new
Especially for mental health, pain, heart health or long-term therapy.
It isn't working
Your current medication isn't giving the relief or results you expected.
Several prescriptions
More medications means more chances for a drug-gene interaction.
What happens after the swab
- Step 1
Swab
A quick cheek swab. No needles or blood draw.
- Step 2
Coverage check
Insurance is verified. Any cost is confirmed with you first.
- Step 3
Lab analysis
A CLIA-certified lab reads your genes in 5–7 days after it receives the sample.
- Step 4
Review together
Your provider or pharmacist explains the results and any changes.
Coverage for eligible patients
Medicare covers PGx testing when a clinician is considering or using a specific drug with an actionable gene-drug interaction and needs the result for that decision. Medicaid and commercial coverage vary by state and plan. We verify each patient's coverage before testing.