Genetic testing for Anti-Depressants
Unfortunately, patients diagnosed with depression are often given multiple drugs before finding the right medication at the right dosage for their genetic variations. It’s only been very recently that doctors and the FDA have started using genetic testing to replace the typical trial and error methods that are prone to serious side effects, disease reoccurrence and death.
The Mayo Clinic is currently conducting a scientific study at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare in La Crosse to determine if genetic testing helps physicians in selecting the right antidepressants and dosages.
“This could be a quantum leap in psychiatry,” said Dr. Brian Proctor, a Franciscan Skemp psychiatrist who is part of the study. “I foresee genetic testing as one of the tools we will use in helping our patients.”
Josiah Allen, the study coordinator at Mayo Clinic, said the right drug could prevent death or injury and serious side effects.
“With genetic testing, it may not be necessary to try three, four or five different medications before you find the right one,” Allen said. “I think it will change the face of prescribing medication.”
In a nutshell, genetic tests can tell you whether you’re a fast or slow metabolizer. If your body uses a drug too slowly, it can cause more side effects, even toxic reactions, which severely reduces drug compliance. And when people stop taking their drugs, reoccurrence of conditions and depression can be just as debilitating.
If your body uses the drug too quickly, the drug may be eliminated from your body before it has the opportunity to produce most of its effect. Therefore a person with a faster metabolism will require a higher dose than a person with a slower metabolism.
Read the entire article in Behavioral Health Central.