Genetic test for medications

Has anyone had the GeneSightRX cheek swab performed?

I had it about a month ago, and am curious to see if anyone else has had this test performed, and willing to discuss results.

I searched for a thread, and apologize if one exists; please point me in the right direction if one already exists and I'll delete this one. Thank you.

I only heard of it through your post lol. How did it work out for you? I'd love to have this done if it works and ones in exsists in the NY/NJ area. Please comment on the results if you don't mind.

I haven't, but I have been in touch with a old pdoc that has started using AssureRX and says it is really helpful for a lot of her patients. Hope you have a positive experience!

Best,
EJ

We perform these routinely in the office if someone is not responding to meds or says they have tried many meds in the past without good results. It is just a cheek swab. Takes a few weeks for rresuts to come in.Not all insurance plans cover the test so I would check into that before hand. It is helpful but for some reason the resuls have shown that everyone responds well to Pristiq,which I am not a fan of prescribing. I did ask the Pristiq rep if their company invented or fianancially backed the study. "Of course not" they say. Hmmmm.

Did you still prescribe Pristiq based on results? Also, does it automatically tell you if you need an AP, AD, or combination?

I don't always prescribe Pristiq based on results. The test will tell you the other drugs that are effective, moderately effective, or not effective at all. The test is based on which drug your body metabolizes best. So if the patient is doing well on Lexapro and it falls in the moderate range I leave them on it. If the patient is not responding in Lexapro then I change it based on test results. ( I picked Lexapro as an example- no other reason). The same test will also tell you which narcotic a patient will metabolize the best.

Personally, I don't prescribed Pristiq unless I have to. It is a great drug for some people, but some people have alot of side effects and it is a drug that has to be slowly weaned, and that can be difficult for some patients. Some patients love it, they just need to know to not stop the drug abruptly. Plus, Pristiq is a brand name drug, and most insurance companies require "step therapy", meaning a patient has to try maybe 2 other meds first ( usually generics of course) and then they will consider Pristiq. They will recommend the original molecule of Pristiq ( which was Effexor ) first. No matter how hard MOST prescribers try to get the patients on the best drugs the insurance companies control the show. It's sad.

Hope that helps. I know it is long. I can tell you if you call the company that makes and interprets the test they will not be able to tell you what insurance reimburses for it. How ridiculous is that????

Also, to anyone reading this, I would like to add that this is MY opinion only and is the way that I practice. I understand that not everyone practices the same way. I happen to be a very caring, loving, nurturing provider and truly want what is best for my patients.

Thanks a lot for the response So basically it'll even tell you the proper dosing as well?

Sorry,no, it isn't about dosing . And dosing Pristiq is rather limited. It starts at 50mg. You can titrate up but the literature says there is no additional benefit demonstrated at greater than 50mg. It isn't the easiet drug to work with, but it does help a certain amount of people and they love it.

Hmmm indeed. Pristiq was the only one besides an MAOI patch listed in the effective category.

Thank you so much for your reply, Freefall.

ETA -- Freefall, do you know what the serum level result on the test means? It showed "extremely high" range on mine and my doctor was unable to tell me what that meant. Thanks.