Pharmacogenetics: for $600 you can learn how you metabolize drugs

[liveonearth]

GENETIC TESTING COULD PREVENT ADVERSE DRUG EFFECTS
more than 50% of pts have variations in 8-10 liver enzymes that affect drug metabolism
Mayo Clinic psychiatry and psychology dept has used genetic testing x2yrs
other clinics and departments are catching on
varying enzyme levels affect how long drug stays in system, how much it builds up with dosing
or how much levels dip between doses
pts who are unresponsive to their meds, or have bad reactions to meds, will be interested in this

GENELEX
DNA test offered by Seattle-based Genelex Corp
to evaluate drug responses, paternity, or racial composition
find out if you have hemochromatosis, or celiac dz
http://www.healthanddna.com/
send a blood sample, results in 2 weeks
$600 gets you a genetic profile for drug processing, med dosing info and alternatives
some insurance companies will cover it
genemedrx is software measuring interactions and suggests alternative meds
send a sample from anywhere in world-->get report
physician gets passworded account and can review results with pt

USEFUL! LONG LIST OF DRUGS WITH METABOLISM AND SIDE EFFECT INFO ON GENELEX SITE
http://www.healthanddna.com/drug-safety-dna-testing/drug-side-effects-and-metabolism.php

Pharmacogenetics Diagnostic Laboratory
http://louisville.edu/medschool/pathology/valdeslab/pgx.htm
University of Louisville’s School of Medicine
National Institutes of Health launched Pharmacogenetics Research Network in 2000
Dr. Rochelle Long, director, says tests not ready to predict rxns when multiple enzymes involved

SOURCES
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6860829/
http://louisville.edu/medschool/pathology/valdeslab/pgx.htm
http://www.healthanddna.com/
http://www.healthanddna.com/drug-safety-dna-testing/drug-side-effects-and-metabolism.php

Comments

[rick-day.livejournal.com]

I am probably the only person on your f list that knows what hemochromatosis is without looking it up.

Much to the chagrin of my western physicians, I do not take drugs, except for OTC Tylenol for headaches or joint pain. But it is interesting to see that 'fine tuning' of pharmaceuticals is emerging as a reality. These are important techniques for accurately ameliorating conditions while minimizing side effects.

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

=-] I dunno... there's a high density of science nerds on my FL, they just MIGHT know about hemochromatosis.

It is good to see the medico-pharmacological industry admitting that every person is different and no single dosing scheme is good for everybody with the same condition. It's not mastery, but it's progress.

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

Are you getting phlebotomies to manage your hemochromatosis? I just hit this post again since the subject came up in class. =-]

[rick-day.livejournal.com]

I don't have it. I test negative. My B-I-L has it thought.

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

Oh, cool. Better to not have it, you can have booze with your steak. =-]