Articles

Siponimod (Mayzent) treats multiple sclerosis, and its safety and dose depend on the CYP2C9 gene. Learn how MS is treated, why CYP2C9 testing is needed before siponimod, and how genes affect other medications people with MS take.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon shaped by genes, gut bacteria and the environment. Learn what a Nature study found about mutations in colon cells, how UC affects colorectal cancer risk, which medications are...

What you eat can change how your medications work. Using warfarin as an example, learn why vitamin K intake should stay consistent, what to know about cranberry, grapefruit, alcohol and herbal products, and how CYP2C9 and other genes...

Not all genetic tests are equally precise. Learn the basics of genes and SNPs, why measuring haplotypes gives more useful information than single SNPs, and how high-definition pharmacogenetic testing gives more accurate drug response results.

Aspirin is widely used for pain, fever and heart protection, but some people react to it with hives, swelling or asthma attacks. Learn why aspirin intolerance happens, what genetic testing can and cannot tell you, and how CYP2C9...

Brewed green tea is safe for most people, but concentrated green tea extract can rarely cause serious liver injury. Learn what the evidence shows about dose and genetic risk, which other supplements can harm the liver, why St....

When the first antidepressants do not work, there are still many options. Learn how treatment-resistant depression is defined, what research shows for exercise, diet and weight management, how rTMS, ECT, ketamine and esketamine are used, and how genetic...

Insomnia can worsen anxiety, depression and chronic pain. Learn why cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia comes first, how sleep medications such as zopiclone, zolpidem, the newer orexin blockers lemborexant and daridorexant, trazodone and melatonin compare, which ones older...

The best antidepressant for a teenager may not suit an older adult. Learn which antidepressants have the best evidence for young people and what the suicidal-thoughts warning means, which medications older adults should avoid, how to lower the...

Some genetic tests report the SLC6A4 serotonin transporter gene to predict how you will respond to SSRIs. Studies disagree, and the 2023 CPIC guideline found the evidence too weak to guide prescribing. Learn why Pillcheck relies on CYP2D6,...

Not all pharmacogenetic tests are the same. Learn what sets Pillcheck apart: evidence-based, actionable interpretation, a patient-centred model, support after testing, clinical utility and results you can use for life.

As drug labels and guidelines add pharmacogenetic information, prescribers face new questions about liability. Learn what drug labels require or recommend, what the legal literature says about genetic information in prescribing, and practical steps to use pharmacogenetic results...

Many people with depression or anxiety try several medications before one works. Learn which treatments guidelines recommend first, why response differs from person to person, and how testing CYP2D6, CYP2C19 and CYP2B6 can help you and your doctor...

About one in three people with depression do not get well after several antidepressants. Learn what clinical trials show about IV ketamine and esketamine nasal spray, how they compare with ECT, what Canadian guidelines recommend, their risks, and...

Choosing a genetic test for your medications can be confusing. Learn what to look for when comparing pharmacogenetic tests for mental health medications, from the genes covered to automatic report updates.

Inflammation is linked to some forms of depression, especially depression with loss of pleasure (anhedonia) and high CRP. Learn what trials show about adding celecoxib to antidepressants, why ibuprofen is less studied, how to combine these drugs safely...

Pharmacogenetic testing shows how your genes affect the way your body clears medications. Learn what a PGx test can and can't tell you, and how it helps find antidepressants and other drugs less likely to cause side effects.

Can aging be reversed? Learn why we age, what telomeres and the Yamanaka genes reveal about the biological clock, and how researchers at the Salk Institute reversed signs of aging in mice by reprogramming their genes.

A practical guide for pharmacists and prescribers on talking with patients about pharmacogenetic testing: what to explain before the test, how to describe metabolizer results in plain words, how current medications can change the picture, how to close...

Is marijuana addictive, and why are some people more at risk? Learn what a JAMA Psychiatry study found about three genetic variants linked to cannabis dependence, and the genetic links between marijuana addiction, schizophrenia and depression.