How useful are these genetic tests which tell you how a patient metabolizes certain medications? I've seen some patients who have had such tests done, and they receive reports grouping medications by how well the patient might respond. Recently I also heard a presentation from someone who does pharmacogenomic testing. These tests are said to predict which medication is the "right one" for a particular patient, so they can avoid spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on medications which don't work for them.
My understanding, however, is that these tests can only tell you how rapidly or slowly a patient metabolizes various medications... not whether a certain one will be effective. I can see this being useful for determining which dose to prescribe, but as far as what is actually going to help the patient, I believe it's still best determined by trial and error. Also, regardless of how rapidly someone metabolizes a medication, my approach to prescribing would still be to start with a low dose and titrate up until I find the lowest effective dose.
Is my understanding of pharmacogenomics correct? Does anyone order these tests and find them to be helpful? I'm just wondering if it's worth ordering a test prior to prescribing anything, to avoid wasting time with Prozac, Zoloft, and Effexor if it turns out that Cymbalta is the magic pill, for example.
My understanding, however, is that these tests can only tell you how rapidly or slowly a patient metabolizes various medications... not whether a certain one will be effective. I can see this being useful for determining which dose to prescribe, but as far as what is actually going to help the patient, I believe it's still best determined by trial and error. Also, regardless of how rapidly someone metabolizes a medication, my approach to prescribing would still be to start with a low dose and titrate up until I find the lowest effective dose.
Is my understanding of pharmacogenomics correct? Does anyone order these tests and find them to be helpful? I'm just wondering if it's worth ordering a test prior to prescribing anything, to avoid wasting time with Prozac, Zoloft, and Effexor if it turns out that Cymbalta is the magic pill, for example.