Pharmacogenetic Testing

Pharmacogenetic Testing services offered in Sandy Springs, GA

Pharmacogenomics is an emerging scientific field that combines pharmacology and genomics to understand how an individual’s genes interact with medications. Pharmacogenetic tests look at your specific genetic variants and how you respond to specific medications. This science allows psychiatrist Karen Giles, MD, at Breakthru Psychiatric Solutions in Sandy Springs, Georgia, to personalize treatment based on an individual patient’s DNA. To learn more about genetic testing options and how they could benefit you, call Breakthru Psychiatric Solutions today or request an appointment online.

What is Pharmacogenetic Testing?

Medications are not one-size-fits-all.

Your body has a unique way of responding to and processing medications based on your DNA.

Pharmacogenetics combines pharmacology (the science of drugs) + genetics (the study of genes).

Think of pharmacogenetic testing like genetic testing for medications. Pharmacogenetic testing assesses your genes to understand how you uniquely metabolize, respond to, and tolerate different drugs. These tests are particularly effective for mental health care with a focus on drug management for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and obsessive compulsive disorder. This can help Dr. Karen Giles personalize what medications she prescribes you, and at what dosages.

It can also reduce the need to try multiple medications and unnecessary struggles with side effects from antidepressant prescriptions.

Why Might I Need Pharmacogenetic Testing?

Pharmacogenetic testing allows patients with depression, anxiety, PTSD or obsessive compulsive disorder to understand how your genes will impact the way you respond to and tolerate 99% of the most commonly prescribed medications. With this information, Dr. Karen Giles can uniquely personalize which medication and at what dosage she prescribes you. Dr. Giles only offers pharmacogenetic testing in conjunction with Breakthru’s other interventional therapies.

With Pharmacogenetic testing, you will:

Reduce the process of trial and error by giving Dr. Karen Giles new information that can narrow down medication options
Avoid potentially harmful medication or gene-related interactions that can cause unwanted side effects
Understand past treatment responses and future prescribing decisions
Save money and emotional strain due to additional healthcare visits, wasted medications, and more
Increase the likelihood of symptom relief
Gather insights faster with our best-in-industry turnaround time

87% of patients who’ve done pharmacogenetic testing saw clinically measurable symptom improvement.

How Does Pharmacogenetic Testing Work?

Pharmacogenetic testing is as simple as painless cheek swab. Your sample is sent to the Genomind lab for processing; all samples are tested twice for 99.9% lab accuracy. Results are available within 5 days. Breakthru Psychiatric Solutions will review your results and make prescription recommendations based on your unique genetic make-up.

Your results are HIPAA compliant. We do not share nor sell your identifiable data or DNA without your explicit consent, and you may opt to have your sample deleted once results are reported.

To benefit from pharmacogenetic testing, call Breakthru Psychiatric Solutions today or request an appointment online.