BACKGROUND

Have you ever taken a medication that didn't work the way it was supposed to?

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• No relief from your symptoms?

• Too many side effects?

• You didn't get better?

• You just didn't feel like yourself?

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Traditionally, medications were designed on the premise of "one size fits all" and were prescribed using a "trial and error" approach. People have always known that everyone responds to medication differently, but in the past there was no way to scientifically predict how a person might respond to a certain medication or a certain dose. Too often, these methods led to unintended consequences that caused a huge burden to patients, doctors, and our entire health system: side effects, non-compliance, increased hospitalizations, opioid abuse, poly-pharmacy, and more.

 

NOW THERE IS A BETTER WAY

 

Pharmacogenomics can help reduce these unintended consequences by scientifically predicting: 

• Who will benefit from a certain medication

• Who will not respond to a certain medication

• Who will experience side effects or serious adverse reactions

 

BENEFITS OF PHARMACOGENOMICS

• Personalized Medicine.  Eliminate trial-and-error prescriptions. Physicians can use the iGenomeDx report to help determine a better treatment regimen for each patient. 

• Safer Medications. Better OutcomesTM. Reduce the possibility of adverse drug reactions and increase therapeutic efficacy by figuring the right medication at the right dose at the right time. 

• One Test. One TimeTM. Say goodbye to costly repeat-testing! Once you test a gene you never have to test it again! Order a comprehensive evaluation to prevent additional testing in the future.

• Reduce Multiple MedicationsTM. With tailored medication regimens based on genetic findings, patients can reduce the number of medications they have to buy and remember to take.

• Decrease Overall Cost of Care. A PGx test from iGenomeDx will help lower overall healthcare costs by reducing: 

  • The number of adverse drug reactions

  • The number of hospital admissions

  • The length of time it takes to find the right medication and the right dose

  • The long-term effects of disease

  • The number of failed drug trials

SCIENCE

Pharmacogenomics is the study of genetic differences that can affect an individual's response to medications. Medications are broken down (metabolized) by proteins(enzymes) that are regulated by genetic pathways. Your genes can have variations (polymorphisms) that change the way medications are intended to work. PGx can predict therapeutic effectiveness and/or adverse responses to medications. With a quick and non-invasive cotton swab of your cheek tissues, iGenomeDx analyzes genes that are responsible for determining how your body breaks down many of the most common medications. If you are interested in learning more about the science and implications of clinical testing click here and make sure to speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

 

TECHNOLOGY

iGenomeDx uses state of the art technology to analyze genetic material and then produce a diagnostic report that shows how the tested gene(s) regulate the enzymes which are responsible for metabolizing certain medication ingredients. PGx testing categorizes genetic metabolism into four (4) categories*:

• Extensive Metabolizer (EM) = Normal Metabolism. The medications should work like they are supposed to.

• Intermediate Metabolizer (IM) = Reduced Metabolism. The medication will likely take longer to work like it's supposed to.

• Poor Metabolizer (PM) = Very Slow Metabolism. The medication may lead to drug-induced side effects or lack of any therapeutic effect. You may need a smaller dose.

• Ultra-Rapid Metabolizer (URM) = Very Fast Metabolism. The medication may not have any therapeutic effect. You may need a larger dose.

 

* Disclaimer: Do not rely on this information without consulting your prescribing provider. The reports provided by the lab will need professional consultation before implementing.

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