Pharmacogenetics is a family affair
When doctors decide which medication to prescribe, they often ask about the experiences of your family members, like your parents and siblings. This is because people in the same family can share genetic traits that affect how they respond to medications. However, it’s important to remember that everyone has their own unique mix of these traits, which influences how their body processes drugs.
Pharmacogenetic testing can reveal how your body handles different medications and identify any similarities with your family members. Did you know that about 99% of people have at least one genetic variation that can impact how well medications work or lead to side effects? To understand how you might react to certain drugs, doctors need to know your DNA profile. This helps them choose the safest and most effective medications for you.
You are made of your mom and dad’s DNA
Your body is shaped by the DNA from your mom and dad, and how you process medications is influenced by your genes as well. Most genes that help break down drugs come in pairs, with one coming from each parent. However, the G6PD enzyme differs because boys inherit it only from their mother’s X chromosome. If this gene has problems, it can lead to G6PD enzyme deficiency. Males with this condition are sensitive to certain foods, like fava beans and some medications. When they consume these, it can cause their red blood cells to break down, which can result in illness, including anemia.
Additionally, some people have extra copies of a gene called CYP2D6. These individuals can process some drugs much faster than others, which might make certain medications, like antidepressants and beta blockers, less effective for them. Having this extra gene can also increase the risk of accidentally overdosing on pain medications such as tramadol, oxycodone, and codeine.
These examples show how important genes are in determining how our bodies respond to medications.
What can your DNA tell about your drug metabolism?
Your DNA can provide insights into how your body processes medications, which is known as drug metabolism. Here’s a simple breakdown of the different categories of metabolism:
| Category | What it means |
|---|---|
| Poor metabolizers | Have inherited faulty gene copies that make their bodies take longer to clear drugs from their system. This means medication levels can build up in the body, leading to side effects or adverse drug reactions. |
| Intermediate metabolizers | Have one normal gene and one altered gene. They process medications at about half the normal speed. |
| Normal metabolizers | This group has two normal genes or a mix of one reduced and one rapidly working gene. They metabolize medications at the average speed. |
| Ultrarapid metabolizers | These individuals may have an extra gene copy, allowing them to eliminate drugs from their system much faster than the average person. This can lead to medications not being effective enough. |
It’s important to know that because different genes metabolize different drugs, someone might process one medication quickly and another slowly. Genetic testing is the best way to find out your metabolism type.
Ancestry, biological sex, and age influence medication response
Drug response can vary depending on the genetic variants present in different regions. To achieve consistent results in drug trials, chemists and doctors historically conducted trials using artificially homogeneous groups—mainly middle-aged European males. However, this approach did not always accurately reflect how the medication affects everyone else, including women, children, and older adults. Considering these differences is essential to ensure that medicines work well for everyone and are safe to use.
Children have unique metabolisms that differ from those of adults and seniors. While poor metabolism is the same for all ages, children’s bodies constantly change and develop, causing their metabolism to change within the limits of their DNA. Conversely, as people age, their liver and kidneys might not work as well over time. Since these organs help get rid of many medications, older adults might process drugs more slowly. For example, with some antidepressants like (es)citalopram, the body starts to slow down its ability to break them down around age 55. This means that someone like your mom might need a lower dose of the medication than you do so her body can handle it better.
Pillcheck is your medication prescribing guide
Pillcheck is a type of genetic test that lets you and your doctor know how your body processes different medications and flags medications based on your genetic profile:
- Red: It’s safer to avoid these drugs if possible and consider other treatments.
- Yellow: These drugs may need a dosage adjustment.
- Green: These drugs are the safest. Standard precautions apply.
Using Pillcheck helps reduce the guesswork of medication selection, enabling you and your doctor to find safer and more effective treatment options sooner. Since your DNA doesn’t change over time, Pillcheck results can be used anytime your doctor needs to prescribe new medication.
If you find several medications marked as “Red” or “Yellow,” keep in mind that your family members (like siblings, kids, and parents) may have similar genetic traits that affect how they respond to drugs. When you purchase a Pillcheck test, you’ll get a discount code to share with your family, letting them get the benefits of Pillcheck, too.
Making sense of your DNA and medication history
Understanding your DNA and medication history is important for your health. DNA testing can predict how your body responds to medications, which can be really helpful. However, only your doctors can make decisions based on these test results.
While doctors usually check for interactions between different medications, they may not always be aware of how genetics affect medication. The Pillcheck service can help by providing a detailed review of your medications by an expert pharmacist.
The pharmacist will look at your DNA test results alongside your basic health information, age, medical conditions, past medications, and side effects. They will then provide recommendations on whether you need to change any medications or dosages to make your treatment safer and more effective.
Summary
- The effectiveness and safety of many medications can be influenced by common DNA variations.
- Your ability to metabolize drugs is determined by the genetic variants inherited from your parents, which are also likely shared with your siblings and can be passed on to your children.
- A pharmacogenetic profile provides valuable insights to your healthcare provider about how your body processes different medications. The Pillcheck service combines a DNA test with support from clinical experts to assist your doctor in selecting safer and more effective treatment options.
Use Pillcheck to avoid side effects and feel better sooner
ORDER NOWSelected references
Swen JJ et al. and Ubiquitous Pharmacogenomics Consortium. A 12-gene pharmacogenetic panel to prevent adverse drug reactions: an open-label, multicentre, controlled, cluster-randomised crossover implementation study. Lancet. 2023 Feb 4;401(10374):347-356.
Bousman CA et al., Encountering Pharmacogenetic Test Results in the Psychiatric Clinic The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 67 (2), 95-100, 2022.
