Genetic Testing for Pharmacogenomic (PGx) Testing

Understanding Pharmacogenetic (PGx) Testing

Offered by Alex Childs, DSMc, PA-C in Tooele County

Pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing is a type of genetic testing that examines how your genes may affect your response to certain medications. ¹ This personalized approach can help healthcare providers choose medications that are more likely to be safe and effective for you, while avoiding those that may cause side effects or be less effective.

Why Is PGx Testing Important?

Approximately 95% of the population carries at least one gene variation that can impact how the body processes certain medications. These genetic differences can lead to adverse drug reactions (ADRs), which are responsible for up to 5% of emergency hospital admissions. ²

In mental health care, understanding how a patient might respond to medications is especially important. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 59.3 million U.S. adults experienced a mental illness in 2022. ³ A National Health Interview Survey found that 16.5% of adults had used prescription medication for treatment. ⁴ For those seeking treatment for anxiety, nearly half do not respond adequately to the first medication tried. ⁵

How PGx Testing Helps

While many factors influence how someone responds to medication—such as age, health history, and lifestyle—pharmacogenetic testing adds another important layer of insight. By identifying specific gene variants, PGx testing cn help:

• Predict how you may metabolize certain medications
• Identify which drugs may be more or less effective for you
• Reduce the risk of side effects or adverse reactions
• Support faster, more precise medication management

This testing is particularly useful in areas like mental health, pain management, cardiology, and primary care where trial-and-error prescribing is common.

References

1. David V, Fylan B, Bryant E, Smith H, Sagoo GS, Rattray M. An analysis of pharmacogenomic-guided pathways and their effect on medication changes and hospital admissions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Genet. 2021;12. doi:10.3389/fgene.2021.698148
2. Komagamine J. Prevalence of urgent hospitalizations caused by adverse drug reactions: a cross-sectional study. Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):6058. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-56855-z
3. Mental Illness. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Updated September 2024. Accessed August 27, 2025. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness
4. Terlizzi EP, Norris T. Mental health treatment among adults: United States, 2020. National Center for Health Statistics. Reviewed July 29, 2021. Accessed August 27, 2025. doi:10.15620/cdc:110593
5. Ansara ED. Management of treatment-resistant generalized anxiety disorder. The Mental Health Clinician. 2020;10(6):326. doi:10.9740/mhc.2020.11.326