MULTI-GENE VARIATION PANELS

Psychotropic Pharmacogenetics (PGX) Gene Variation Panel

Synonyms: Psychotropic PGx Panel; PGX; Cardio; drugs

Test Overview

Psychotropic drugs are medications that alter mood, perceptions, and behavior. Particularly when used in combination with psychotherapy, psychotropic drugs can be powerful tools in managing conditions such as borderline personality disorder, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia. Metabolizing psychotropic drugs such antidepressant and antipsychotic medications occurs via cytochromes produced in the liver. Because of the interindividual variability in metabolizing psychotropic medication, the dosing of a certain medication can be paramount in a patient’s reaction to the prescribed medication. Part of this variability can be attributed to genetic factors that affect the activity of cytochromes, the rate of metabolizing medication, and the efficacy of the prescribed medication. In addition, transportation and utilization of these drugs depends on transporting proteins and receptors that are responsible for internalizing the drug, which can also be altered by certain genetic variations. Thus, using PGx testing determines a patient’s genetic makeup, as it pertains to drug metabolism, transportation, and utilization of medication, and offers healthcare providers insight into a patient’s predicted response to a prescribed medication, and ultimately improve the precision of treatment.

Depending on laboratory panel design and patient population, psychotropic Pharmacogenetics Gene Variation Panel might contain genes associated with few to many of targets including ADRA2, ANKK1, COMT, CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, DRD2, EPHX1, GRIK4, HTR2A, HTR2C, MTHFR, OPRM1, UGT2B15. PGx testing for psychotropic medication provides genetic information that optimizes medication regimens for patients suffering from psychotropic ailments. Healthcare providers can use PGx as a tool to better design a personalized treatment plan for their patients without having to take the trial-and-error approach, which can reduce the event of adverse drug reactions and increase the efficacy of prescribed medication. Therefore, PGx enables safer, more effective, and cost-effective treatment by using genetic information that would help predict drug response, and further guide optimal drug and dose selection.

Clinical Utility:

  • Evaluation of drug therapy used for psychotropic diseases and disorders
  • Therapy selection and monitoring for psychotropic diseases and disorders