Pain PGx Panel
Genes are passed down from parents to their children. Your genes determine your traits, such as eye color, hair color, blood type, height, and more. Your genes (in addition to other factors, such as age, weight, liver/kidney function, and more) can also affect how you respond to certain medications.
This is because your genes determine the rate at which you metabolize, or “break down”, different medications. Poor metabolizers and intermediate metabolizers break down medications slowly, so they may experience side effects with standard doses. Extensive metabolizers break down medications at a normal rate, so they are less likely to experience side effects at standard doses. Ultra-rapid metabolizers break down medications rapidly, so they may not get enough medication at standard doses.
Pharmacogenetic testing (also known as “pharmacogenomic testing” or “PGx”) is an exciting tool that can predict how you might respond to certain medications based on your genetic makeup. The Pain Management PGx Panel analyzes different genes associated with specific medications that are commonly prescribed in pain management.