Pharmacogenetic (PGx) Testing

Pharmacogenetics, also known as pharmacogenomics (PGx), is the study of how your genetic composition influences your body's response to specific medications. While liver and kidney function, environmental factors, age, and weight play important roles in the efficacy and safety of medication use, PGx testing helps identify specific genes that influence the metabolism of drugs and allows prescribers to adjust medications and doses accordingly.

Specific genes allow our cells to create enzymes.  Enzymes are proteins that are essential for cellular function, and enzymes are also responsible for how our body absorbs, processes, and eliminates any given drug. Your genes influence the presence or absence of certain enzymes which impacts how your body metabolizes medications, and therefore how your body reacts to those medications. Variations in these genes can explain why some individuals respond well to a medication, while other patients have side effects or are treatment resistant. 

Pharmacogenetic testing may be able to provide insights into how you, as an individual, will respond to specific prescription therapies.  Results can aid your healthcare provider in selecting the most suitable drug and dose for you. These tests use samples of saliva (spit), blood, or cheek cells to analyze your genetic information.  Testing is only available for specific medications, and is generally only recommended under special circumstances.  

If you feel your medications aren't working quite as well as you'd like, you are on multiple medications, or are just curious about current and future medication use, you qualify for PGx testing. With the Initial Consult, we can determine the need for and availability of testing, order your test kit, or reach out to your provider to begin testing if appropriate.  During the virtual PGx Consult, we will evaluate your medications and compare these to the results. We may make recommendations to your provider to change medications or doses depending on these results. 

1.  Book a Virtual Consultation ($25) . Roca Rx will help you eligibility for a PGx (pharmacogenomics) test, based on  your medication list and health conditions.  Medications include prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, supplements, and vitamins.

2.  If you pursue a PGx test, we can provide a standard test panel, or we can partner with your physician to order a test panel specific to a medical condition. 

3.  The PGx Consult is $100 and our standard panel, if ordered from Roca Rx, is a special rate of $250 through ClarityX.  There is no commitment to testing required.  Payment for test kit and virtual PGx Consult will be securely processed at time of scheduling.

4.  For our standard panel, a saliva sample collection kit will be shipped directly to you and can be performed in the comfort of your own home.  If we partner with your provider, the sample type and collection location will vary depending on third-party test type. 

5.  During the PGx Consult our pharmacist will interpret those results and develop your care plan.  The Appointment Summary will be sent to a provider of your choice.  Our pharmacist will communicate recommendations to your provider as required for any medication adjustments. 

6.  Medications should not be started or stopped based on results interpretation. Only the prescribing physician can change your prescriptions.

7.  Roca Rx will schedule a free 15-minute follow up within 3 months to assess progress.