Your Genes Can Affect Your Response to Drugs
One of the great promises of genetic testing is personalized medicine — allowing your physician to prescribe the medication that is optimal for you based on your genotype. This kind of information can save you significant time, money and unnecessary suffering. Your genetics can determine how effective a particular drug is for you. In addition, your genetics may place you at risk of side effects for some drugs.
Learn more about what type of drugs we test for.
Example Drug Reports and How Your Doctor Can Personalize Your Treatment
Knowing ahead of time how you respond to certain drugs may help your doctor either prescribe the best drug or the best dose of a drug based on your genetic profile.
-
Plavix
- Clopidogrel (sold under brand names such as Plavix, Clopilet and Ceruvin) is a drug you take orally. It acts to stop the platelets in your blood from sticking together, which would prevent the beginning of a blood clot. It is used to inhibit the formation of blood clots in patients with coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease and cerebrovascular disease.
-
Warfarin (Coumadin)
- Warfarin (Coumadin) is a drug that is widely prescribed for the treatment or prevention of blood clots in conditions such as arterial and venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and before surgical procedures such as heart valve replacement.
-
Caffeine
- Caffeine is the most widely consumed stimulant in the world. It is not only found naturally in tea, coffee, and chocolate, but also added to many foods, such as some soft drinks, as well as to pain relievers and other over-the-counter medications. Caffeine is metabolized by an enzyme in the liver that is encoded by the CYP1A2 gene. Your CYP1A2 gene can affect how your body metabolizes caffeine.
See our full list of Medications tested
How this information can empower you and your doctor
Your genetics can affect how effectively Plavix is metabolized, and thus how well it will work to protect you against blood clot formation. Based on your results, your physician might consider prescribing a nonstandard dose of Plavix or a different medication altogether. If you are taking Plavix, do not stop taking it or adjust your drug dosage without consulting with your physician.
Have a question? Want to know more? Contact UsUsing Your Kit
It's simple and easy to use
-
Step 1. Ask your Doctor
Your physician will then order your Personal Genetic Report. You will receive a Saliva Collection Kit, which contains everything you need to get started.
-
Step 2. Activate your kit
Go to activate and follow the easy step-by-step instructions to create your password-protected, secure online account.
-
Step 3. Fill saliva tube
Provide 2ml of saliva in the tube, as marked on the side. To ensure there is sufficient DNA, rub your cheeks and swish the saliva around in your mouth.
-
Step 4. Send it back
Place the saliva collection tube containing the sample into the prepaid envelope provided and return it to our secure, onsite federally CLIA certified laboratory.
-
Step 5. Get your results
When your results are ready, you will be contacted by your physician. They will provide you with an easy-to-understand, comprehensive report of your DNA analysis.
Strong Science, Security & Service
-
Strong Science
Pathway Genomics operates a Federally CLIA certified and California state licensed 11,000 square-foot facility. Our world-renowned science team and top geneticists stay at the forefront of research findings and operate the latest genetic testing platforms.
-
Secure DNA Lockbox™
Once we receive your saliva sample, the confidentiality of your DNA is protected in our proprietary DNA Lockbox™.
-
Expert Genetic Counselors
Customers and their physicians have access to our onsite staff of genetic counselors, all Board eligible or certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling, to discuss details of the genetic report. Our customer service representatives and genetic counselors will, of course, answer any pre-purchase questions. Our genetic counselors are also available for individual genetic report interpretation and counseling.
-
Harvard Health Publications
Harvard Health Publications, a division of Harvard Medical School, publishes current, practical, and authoritative health information, drawing on the expertise of the physicians at Harvard Medical School and its affiliated hospitals. Pathway Genomics is pleased to provide our customers with the latest health information from this respected institution.
Preview of Results
An easy-to-understand report will be posted to the user's secure member account.
From there it can be downloaded, printed or shared if desired.
- Discover your sensitivities Your DNA Report can help your doctor optimize your medical regimen by ensuring that you’re on the safest and most effective drug.
- Our database continues to grow You will receive a notification of any new available reports that are constantly added by our scientists to our genetic database.
